Gold Striker

Gold Striker is a wooden roller coaster located at California's Great America amusement park. Built by Great Coasters International and designed by Jeff Pike, Gold Striker was the park's eighth roller coaster which opened to the public on May 31, 2013. Its 174 ft tunnel is the longest in the world to be featured on the first drop, and it was marketed as the "tallest and fastest wooden coaster in Northern California". The roller coaster takes on the theme of the Old West and references the California Gold Rush of the 19th century.

History
Originally, California's Great America planned to build Gold Striker for the 2009 season, but issues led to the project's cancellation. The project continued in 2012 when a permit was requested and approved to construct the roller coaster in the northern half of the park. Construction began in May 2012, and the first pieces of lumber were delivered the following month in early June. On July 25, 2012, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company filed a trademark for the name Gold Striker. Gold Striker was officially announced on August 29, 2012 as being the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Northern California. Representatives of the San Francisco 49ers were on hand at the ceremony as the ride is themed and named after the Gold Rush.

On January 30, 2013, one of the milestones took place as the ride's lift hill was topped off. On February 20, 2013, California's Great America announced the first drop will be fully enclosed setting the record for world's longest initial drop tunnel on a wooden coaster. On March 6, the park announced they would be holding a first rider auction for Gold Striker. The park was auctioning off the first six trains through April 28. Members of the general public were able to take some early rides in from April 30, 2013 during a promotional shoot the park was doing. Gold Striker opened on May 31, 2013 and had an official opening ceremony the next day.

Layout
After departing the station, the train makes a slight turn to the right followed by another turn to the right, then the train turns left onto the 108 ft lift hill. After the train crests the hill, it enters a tunnel then drops 50 degrees to the right, followed by another slight drop, reaching a top speed of approximately 54 mph. The coaster's first drop wraps around the park's signature Star Tower attraction. The train then turns to the left into a bunny hop, passing by the station and lift hill. It then makes a turn-around to the right followed by an 80 degree banked turn. After the turn, the train passes back under the track into a "Midway turn" which, being another 80-degree turn, faces the train towards the park's Celebration Plaza. Passing again back under the track, the coaster goes through the final flat turnaround before making its way to the brake run.

Track
The wooden track of Gold Striker is 3197 ft long in length with the height of the lift being approximately 108 ft.