Lose your nerve and maybe your lunch on Wrath of Rakshasa at Great America

Think you have what it takes to conquer the beast? Buckle up, because Wrath of Rakshasa is storming Six Flags Great America, delivering an electrifying adrenaline rush with every twist and turn. Brace yourself, this is where fear collides with fury!

Rakshasa is set to debut on the weekend of May 31, becoming the park’s second dive coaster alongside Goliath. Dive coasters are known for their dramatic height, drop angles, and the sensation of freefall. Their defining feature is the ‘dive,’ and Rakshasa delivers. 

“The ride stops at the top of the drop, and you’re facing straight down, just waiting to drop,” said thirteen-year-old Josh, riding the coaster for the fourth time.

 “When you’re at the top of the drop, just hanging there, my first instinct was to check my harness and question my sanity. We were free-falling at seventy miles an hour with barely enough time to think. My heart was in my throat,” said John Wilson, a fellow rider. 

This custom dive coaster is manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and offers an unmatched adrenaline rush. But it’s not just about the drop, Wrath of Rakshasa features five inversions, the most ever on a dive coaster. The features are:

• Immelmann loop: a diving loop named after a World War I German pilot who invented the flying maneuver. The coaster climbs into a vertical loop, then twists 180 degrees as it exits, flipping the rider upside down 

• Dive loop: the reverse of an Immelmann loop, where the track twists upward before diving into a half-vertical loop

• Zero-g roll: the track twists 360 degrees as it climbs and descends, typically at the top of a hill. 

• A unique corkscrew element for added thrills.

• Helix: a 360-degree helix, spiraling downward 

Standing at a towering 180 feet, Wrath of Rakshasa features a 171-foot drop at a staggering 96-degree angle, making it the steepest dive coaster in the world. Riders experience a heart-pounding pause in a face-first cliffhanger hold before plunging down the beyond-vertical drop, reaching speeds of nearly 67 mph.  

Located in the County Fair section of the park, across from the iconic Demon roller coaster, Wrath of Rakshasa features immersive theming. 

“Visitors explore 'The Ornelas Brothers’ traveling exhibition: The Wrath of Rakshasa, an unusual collection of artifacts surrounding the legendary shape-shifting demon,” explained Ken Parks, Vice President of Six Flags’ Xperience Design and Creative Studio.

 Traveling through the queue area, visitors follow the story of Rakshasa through statues and artifacts of the demon, which ultimately transform into the actual ride.  

Dave Evans, the Director of Construction and Capital Installation for Six Flags, explained the testing procedures that ensure the safety of all riders. 

“During testing, engineers try to break the system to ensure all equipment is running correctly for the safety of the riders,” Evans said. “Roller coasters are tested daily to ensure all mechanisms, like restraints, safety sensors, and the track, function properly. This includes running empty trains or test runs to check for mechanical issues. In addition, coasters undergo regular in-depth inspections and maintenance, ranging from weekly to yearly, based on the manufacturer’s guidelines and park safety protocols.”

The introduction of Wrath of Rakshasa marks Six Flags Great America's first new roller coaster since the debut of Maxx Force in 2019. This addition underscores the park's commitment to innovation and providing guests with cutting-edge attractions. With its record-breaking features and immersive theming, Wrath of Rakshasa is poised to become a must-ride experience for visitors.