American Coaster Enthusiasts

American Coaster Enthusiasts

File:Acecoasterlogo.png
Founded	1978
Location	1100-H Brandywine Blvd Zanesville, OH 43701-7303
Members	7,000
Website	http://www.aceonline.org/

The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is an organization dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of roller coasters. Membership is open to anyone with payment of yearly dues, and membership benefits may include discounted admission to certain amusement parks. ACE members often meet at various parks around the United States and other countries for special events, sometimes sponsored by the parks themselves.

History

ACE was founded in 1978 by Roy Brashears, Paul Greenwald, and Richard Munch. At the time, it was commonplace for thrill-seekers and prospective Guinness record-breakers to participate in marathons on roller coasters. Such a marathon was arranged in 1977 on Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia to promote the release of the movie Rollercoaster, starring George Segal, Henry Fonda, Richard Widmark, and a young Helen Hunt. Rebel Yell was an exceedingly appropriate choice, as it was also featured in the film. Three of the participants in this marathon, the aforementioned Greenwald, Brashears, and Munch, discussed what a great idea it would be to form a club for those who have a passion for riding roller coasters. With that, the idea for ACE was born and Coaster Con I (where the group officially became an organization) was held a year later (almost to the day) just down the road at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Side note: Another participant in this landmark marathon was a young man by the name of Mike Boodley. Boodley went on to co-found Great Coasters International, one of very few firms that design and build wooden roller coasters.

Purpose and membership

The purpose of ACE shall be to foster and promote the conservation, appreciation, knowledge and enjoyment of the art of the classic wooden roller coaster and the contemporary steel roller coaster; to create and promote among and between its members a tie of fellowship while striving to maintain good working relations with the outdoor amusement business and operate in harmony with its policies; to foster and promote the preservation and continued operation of roller coasters; and to perform any other functions of a not-for-profit corporation.

ACE is governed by five officers, four of which are directly elected and one indirectly elected by the club's membership. These officers are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past President. Additionally, ACE currently has twelve Executive Committee positions, which are appointed by majority vote of the elected officers.

One such Executive Committee position is the Regional Rep Director, who oversees a system of ACE regions, Regional Representatives, and Assistant Regional Representatives. These regions and their reps often sponsor events at amusement parks, produce regional newsletters, and keep members within the region up to date via email and regional web sites.

ACE is almost entirely run by volunteers, only employing Offinger, a management firm, to run certain day-to-day operations regarding mailings, receipt of event payment/membership dues, and merchandise. Annual membership dues are available in individual, couple, family, and corporate memberships.

ACE offers a variety of club logo merchandise and back issues of its magazine, RollerCoaster!, for purchase to its members.

RollerCoaster! is published quarterly in full-color heavy stock glossy magazine format. The club's newsletter, ACE News, is published six times a year in black and white 8 1/2" by 11" format.

ACE Regions

California Northern

California Southern (including Hawaii)

Canada (except British Columbia)

England (including Ireland and the United Kingdom)

Florida

Heart of America (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and southern Illinois)

Michigan

Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia)

Midwest (Indiana, Kentucky, parts of West Virginia)

New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont)

New Jersey

New York City

New York State (except New York City)

North Central (Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota)

Northwest (Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington)

Ohio Northern

Ohio Southern

Pennsylvania Central

Pennsylvania Eastern

Pennsylvania Western (including parts of West Virginia)

South Central (Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and western Mississippi)

Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and parts of Florida and eastern Mississippi)

Southwest (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming)

Western Great Lakes (Wisconsin and northern Illinois)

Membership dues

Membership type	1 year	2 years	3 years
Individual (1 person)	USD $60	USD $110	USD $160
Couple (2 people at the same address)	USD $80	USD $145	USD $210
Family (3 people at the same address) USD $5 for each additional person	USD $85	USD $155	USD $225
Corporate	USD $90	n/a	n/a

There is an annual publications postage fee of USD $10 for members in Canada or Mexico and USD $30 for members outside of North America.

Events

At the national level, ACE typically sponsors several events each year including an annual Convention (usually in June, starting on Father's Day), two or three Conferences held at various times (often Spring Conference, Summer Conference, and Preservation Conference), and two winter non-riding events (No Coaster Con held near Chicago in mid-January and Eastcoaster held near Allentown, PA in early February).

Coaster Con

The annual convention, called Coaster Con, usually features two or three host parks, but sometimes focuses on just one and other times may feature as many as seven. It is the most complete and extensive event that exists for coaster enthusiasts on an annual basis. Not only are ACErs admitted to the host parks, but Exclusive Ride Time (ERT) is often granted on certain coasters before a park opens and/or after it closes. This is a time during which only registered attendees of Coaster Con may ride whichever roller coasters are offered. Coaster Con also generally includes a photo contest, video contest, Midway Olympics (where teams of participants play carnival games for "Olympic Medals"), ACE annual business meeting, banquet (with presentations, awards, industry keynote speaker, and auction to benefit ACE's funds), workshops, discussion groups, displays, and memorabilia sales tables.

No.	Dates	Host parks
Upcoming Coaster Con events
XXXIV	Beginning June 19, 2011	Six Flags Over Texas
XXXIII	Beginning June 20, 2010	Kennywood, Idlewild Park, Conneaut Lake Park, Waldameer Park
Past Coaster Con events
XXXII	June 21-26, 2009	Silver Dollar City, Worlds of Fun
XXXI	June 15-20, 2008	Six Flags Over Georgia, Wild Adventures
XXX	June 17-23, 2007	Kings Island, Stricker's Grove, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Beech Bend Park
XXIX	June 18-23, 2006	Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Old Town, Magic Kingdom, Cypress Gardens, Busch Gardens Tampa
XXVIII	June 19-24, 2005	Six Flags Great America, Little Amerricka, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
XXVII	June 20-26, 2004	Cedar Point, Memphis Kiddie Park (Brooklyn, OH), Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom

ACE supports riding roller coasters responsibly and following all posted ride rules, especially those regarding remaining seated at all times. To this end, ACE members must follow a code of conduct. Failure to do so may result in suspension or expulsion of the offending member from the club.

Awards

Coaster Classic

The Coaster Classic award was developed during a period when changes in the design, equipping, and operation of wood coasters threatened to erase these time-honored experiences and rituals. The award is designed to recognize coasters that still adhere to these principles, while allowing riders to safely experience the thrill of the classic wooden roller coaster ride. To be eligible for ACE Coaster Classic status, the coaster must meet the following criteria:

Traditional lap bars that allow riders to experience so-called airtime, or negative G's, the sensation of floating above the seat, must be installed. Individual, ratcheting lap bars do not meet this requirement.

Riders must be able to slide from side-to-side in their seats. A coaster with any restraint or device that restricts this freedom, like seat dividers between riders, does not meet this requirement.

Riders must be able to view upcoming drops and thrills. A coaster with headrests on every seat or the majority of seats that restrict this view does not meet this requirement.

Riders must be free to choose where they sit. A coaster where riders are assigned seats before boarding does not meet this requirement.

The amusement park or theme park operating a coaster that is recognized as a Coaster Classic is usually presented a custom plaque. The plaque typically states:

THE AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS RECOGNIZES THIS COASTER AS AN ACE COASTER CLASSIC.

ACE salutes this park for maintaining this coaster as an American treasure in its purest form. We congratulate you for the use of traditional materials, methods and equipment, which are fundamental to the classic wooden roller coaster experience.

ACE commends this park for operating this coaster in the traditional manner so that future generations may enjoy its classic thrills and its enduring popularity.

It has been noted, however, that most coasters usually have disqualifying racheting lap bars, seat dividers, and head rests to prevent people from trying to stand up during ride. For example, Rolling Thunder at Six Flags Great Adventure has Buzz bars which meet traditional lap bar Coaster Classic requirements, but it is not a classic because of headrests and seat dividers being added in 1981 to prevent people from standing up during the ride.

Roller Coaster Landmark

ACE Landmark Award plaque outside Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point. Magnum is the world's first hypercoaster

In 2002, ACE introduced the Roller Coaster Landmark award. The award is designed to recognize coasters of historical significance that may not qualify for ACE Coaster Classic status.

Coaster	Park	Opened	Awarded	Status
Batman: The Ride	Six Flags Great America	May 2, 1992	June 20, 2005	Operating
The Beast	Kings Island	April 14, 1979	October 2, 2004	Operating
Blue Streak	Conneaut Lake Park	1938	TBD	Standing, but not operating
Cyclone	Lakeside Amusement Park	May 17, 1940	August 2, 2003	Operating
Coney Island Cyclone	Astroland	June 26, 1927	June 29, 2002	Operating
Giant Dipper	Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk	May 17, 1924	May 5, 2007	Operating
Leap-The-Dips	Lakemont Park	1902	May 26, 2002	Operating
Legend	Arnolds Park	1927	August 6, 2006	Operating
Loch Ness Monster	Busch Gardens Williamsburg	May 20, 1978	June 17, 2003	Operating
Magnum XL-200	Cedar Point	May 6, 1989	June 21, 2004	Operating
Matterhorn Bobsleds	Disneyland	June 14, 1959	TBD	Operating
Mind Bender	Six Flags Over Georgia	March 31, 1978	June 17, 2008	Operating
Phoenix	Knoebels	August 1947	October 8, 2005	Operating
Racer	Kings Island	April 29, 1972	June 18, 2007	Operating
Rebel Yell	Kings Dominion	May 8, 1975	June 20, 2003	Operating
Revolution	Six Flags Magic Mountain	May 8, 1976	June 16, 2002	Operating
Roller Coaster	Lagoon Amusement Park	May 28, 1921	July 30, 2005	Operating
Runaway Mine Train	Six Flags Over Texas	July 1966	September 9, 2006	Operating
Thunderbolt	Six Flags New England	1941	August 2, 2008	Operating
Wildcat	Lake Compounce	April 1927	August 1, 2008	Operating

The amusement park or theme park operating a coaster that is recognized as a Roller Coaster Landmark is presented a custom plaque. The plaque typically makes a statement about the award and provides information about the coaster and its opening.

Golden Age Coaster

The Golden Age Coaster award, a prequel to the Roller Coaster Landmark award, was established to recognize significant roller coasters that were built during the 1920s. Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk received the Golden Age Coaster award in addition to the Roller Coaster Landmark award. Giant Dipper at Belmont Park also received the Golden Age Coaster award.

Preservation

ACE takes an active role in the preservation of endangered roller coasters. Since 1985, the club has either directly or indirectly helped to save more than half a dozen coasters. Most notable among these are the Phoenix at Knoebels in Elysburg, PA, the first wood coaster to be relocated from a significant distance away (San Antonio, TX) in modern times; and Leap the Dips, the world's oldest operating wooden coaster, located at Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA. On occasion, some parks have also sought the opinions of ACE members about the design of new coasters. Most notable among these is The Legend at Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN.

Because opinions on what makes a coaster great are many and varied among coaster fans, ACE does not officially rate or rank roller coasters.

External links

• American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) (Official website)