Full Throttle (roller coaster)

In late 2012 Baltimore-based roller coaster manufacturer Premier Rides was announced as the builder of the coaster.{{cite news|last=Hopkins|first=Jamie|title=Premier Rides to build tallest, fastest-looping roller coaster|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/10/01/premier-rides-to-build-tallest-fastest-looping-roller-coaster/|access-date=2013-12-07|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=2012-10-01}} Construction of Full Throttle started shortly after the Log Jammer log flume was closed on October 31, 2011.{{cite web|author=Kurt|title=Log Jammer Closed At Six Flags Magic Mountain|url=http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2011/10/31/log-jammer-closed-at-six-flags-magic-mountain/|publisher=The Coaster Guy|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=October 31, 2011|archive-date=November 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103211950/http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2011/10/31/log-jammer-closed-at-six-flags-magic-mountain|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|first=Brady|last=MacDonald|title=Top 13 for 2013: Most anticipated new rides at U.S. theme parks|url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2011-nov-14-la-trb-2013-theme-parks-us-11201107-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=November 14, 2011}} In March 2012, details of a launched roller coaster named Full Throttle were leaked to the Los Angeles Times.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Six Flags Magic Mountain spills plans for record-setting coaster|url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2012-mar-07-la-trb-six-flags-magic-mountain-full-throttle-03201207-story.html|access-date=25 April 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=7 March 2012}} On April 4, 2012, Six Flags trademarked the name Full Throttle.{{cite web|title=Full Throttle|url=http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85588887|publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office|access-date=July 16, 2012|author=Six Flags|date=April 4, 2012}}

On August 28, 2012, Six Flags Magic Mountain officially announced Full Throttle.{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Hugo|title=Six Flags Magic Mountain announces 18th coaster|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-six-flags-magic-mountain-20120830,0,2728370.story|access-date=30 August 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=30 August 2012}} Along with Full Throttle there would be a new themed section to host the new coaster.

In mid-November 2012, construction walls went up, blocking off the construction site in Six Flags Plaza. For the new themed section, the What the Fried? restaurant and the Warner Bros. Kids' Club theater were demolished before the construction walls went up.{{cite web|author=Kurt|title=Full Throttle Construction Update #1|url=http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2012/11/18/full-throttle-construction-update-1/|publisher=The Coaster Guy|access-date=December 29, 2012|date=November 18, 2012|archive-date=December 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218113559/http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2012/11/18/full-throttle-construction-update-1/|url-status=dead}} By mid-December, the first pieces of Full Throttle's track had arrived on site.{{cite web|author=Kurt|title=Full Throttle Track Is Onsite At Six Flags Magic Mountain|url=http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2012/12/16/full-throttle-track-is-onsite-at-six-flags-magic-mountain/|publisher=The Coaster Guy|access-date=December 29, 2012|date=December 16, 2012|archive-date=December 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218113554/http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2012/12/16/full-throttle-track-is-onsite-at-six-flags-magic-mountain/|url-status=dead}} In late February, Full Throttle construction went vertical.{{cite web|author=Kurt|title=Full Throttle Construction Article Roundup|url=http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2013/02/02/full-throttle-construction-article-roundup//|publisher=The Coaster Guy|access-date=April 15, 2013|date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=December 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221224333/http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2013/02/02/full-throttle-construction-article-roundup/|url-status=dead}} On April 12, 2013 construction was completed.{{cite news|title=Park's Newest World Record Coaster – FULL THROTTLE –To Change Skyline of Six Flags Magic Mountain|url=http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61077-six-flags-magic-mountain-tallest-fastest-looping-coaster-full-throttle|access-date=15 April 2013|date=11 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729013621/http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61077-six-flags-magic-mountain-tallest-fastest-looping-coaster-full-throttle|archive-date=29 July 2013|url-status=dead}}

Six Flags Magic Mountain confirmed on Twitter that Full Throttle would open on June 22, 2013.{{cite web|title=Full Throttle Launches...|url=https://twitter.com/SFMagicMountain/status/344945727618809856|publisher=Six Flags Magic Mountain/Twitter|access-date=13 June 2013|date=12 June 2013}} Later that year in November, seat belts were installed on both Full Throttle and Goliath.{{cite web|last=Dahlin|first=Kurt|title=Seat Belts Added To Both Goliath And Full Throttle|url=http://www.thecoasterguy.com/2013/11/24/seat-belts-added-goliath-full-throttle/|publisher=The Coaster Guy|access-date=November 21, 2020|date=November 24, 2013|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810213703/http://www.thecoasterguy.com/2013/11/24/seat-belts-added-goliath-full-throttle/|url-status=dead}} A permanent covering over the loading station was also added during this time.{{cite web|last=Dahlin|first=Kurt|title=Full Throttle Station Gets Permanent Cover|url=http://www.thecoasterguy.com/2013/12/15/full-throttle-station-gets-permanent-cover/|publisher=The Coaster Guy|access-date=August 26, 2021|date=December 15, 2013}}

The train is launched out of the station from {{convert|0|to|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} using linear synchronous motors. Riders immediately enter the record-breaking {{convert|160|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} vertical loop, which is followed by a high-banked curve to the right and another to the left as the train approaches the second inversion, a dive loop. This inversion drops down into a tunnel previously used for the park's monorail system, where the train comes to a halt.{{cite news|last=Peralta|first=Mark|title=Six Flags Magic Mountain Launches World Record Coaster for 2013|newspaper=Examiner|date=August 30, 2012}} The train is then launched backwards out of the tunnel and partially up the dive loop. Once it loses its backward momentum, the train returns forward into the tunnel and is launched out of the tunnel and straight into a high-G turn to the left.{{cite news|title=Six Flags Magic Mountain Cranks It Up: Full Throttle In 2013|url=http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30980:six-flags-magic-clarita-2012-08-30-09-38&catid=26:local-news&Itemid=97|access-date=August 31, 2012|newspaper=KHTS Radio|date=August 30, 2012}} Riders then go up the top hat that is located on top of the loop.{{cite news|title=Six Flags Magic Mountain to open world's tallest looping coaster in 2013|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2012/08/30/magic-mountain-to-open-tallest-coaster.html|access-date=August 31, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Business|date=August 30, 2012}} Riders drop from the hill and reach the brake run before entering a 180-degree turn to the left back into the station.{{cite news|title=Magic Mountain Announces Next Mega-Coaster|url=http://scvnews.com/?p=35098|access-date=August 31, 2012|newspaper=SCVNews|date=August 30, 2012}} The duration of the {{convert|2200|foot}} ride is under one minute.{{cite web|title=What you need to know about Six Flags Magic Mountain's Full Throttle|url=https://www.foxnews.com/travel/what-you-need-to-know-about-six-flags-magic-mountains-full-throttle/|publisher=Fox News|date=June 25, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705055731/http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/06/25/what-need-to-know-about-six-flags-magic-mountains-full-throttle/|archive-date=July 5, 2013|url-status=live}}

File:SFMM-_Full_Throttle_2.JPG

File:SFMM- Full Throttle 3.JPG

Full Throttle has 2 trains with 3 cars per train. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 18 riders per train. The ride's capacity is 800 riders per hour.

Full Throttle's station was once open aired, but shade has since been placed over the station. Its theme is unlike other coasters in the park. In front of the station is a dining area and gift shop in a building with "Full Throttle" badging.{{cite web|title=Full Throttle Media Day At Six Flags Magic Mountain|url=http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2013/06/21/full-throttle-media-day-at-six-flags-magic-mountain/|work=The Coaster Guy|access-date=2013-12-08}} There is also a stage where dance parties are often held featuring a DJ, drum player, and "Full Throttle dancers".

Upon its building, Full Throttle received positive reviews from critics. Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times states, "you ride Full Throttle and there's only one reaction: wow". MacDonald claims the ride starts "silky smooth and whisper quiet" and launches as a "rocket-fast launch". However, MacDonald criticized the placement of the brakes partway down the top hat.{{cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Review: Giant loop on Magic Mountain's new coaster offers big thrills|url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2013-jun-23-la-trb-full-throttle-six-flags-magic-mountain-06232013-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=23 June 2013 |access-date=2013-12-07}}

Upon debut, Full Throttle surpassed Superman: Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas for the tallest vertical loop on a roller coaster. In January 2016 the record was conceded to Mack-manufactured Flash at Lewa Adventure amusement park located in China. However, Full Throttle's loop remains the tallest loop in North America.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

The coaster features a top hat element, unique in the way it is situated on the top of the vertical loop.{{cite web |title=Full Throttle At Six Flags Magic Mountain |url=https://www.themeparktourist.com/guides/six-flags-magic-mountain/full-throttle |website=Theme Park Tourist |access-date=January 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118094218/https://www.themeparktourist.com/guides/six-flags-magic-mountain/full-throttle |archive-date=January 18, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Brenner|first=Lisa|title=Traffic chokes LA, 'Full Throttle' roller coaster opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain|url=http://www.scpr.org/blogs/news/2013/06/22/14079/traffic-chokes-la-full-throttle-roller-coaster-ope/|access-date=2013-12-03|newspaper=KPCC|date=2013-06-22}}

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{{Commons category|Full Throttle (roller coaster)}}

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{{succession box | title=World's Tallest Vertical Loop| before=Superman: Krypton Coaster | years=June 2013 – February 24, 2016| after=Flying Aces}}

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Category:Six Flags Magic Mountain

Category:Roller coasters introduced in 2013

Category:Roller coasters in California

Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags

Category:2013 establishments in California