Six Flags welcomes new coaster this spring

Date: 2/15/2011

Feb. 16, 2011

By Katelyn Gendron

Assistant Editor

AGAWAM — Theme park enthu-siasts will have something new to laugh, scream or blow chunks over this spring when Six Flags New England debuts its latest roller-coaster, Gotham City Gauntlet Escape from Arkham Asylum.

The ride, which will be located in the DC Super Hero Adventure section of the park, will be five stories high with 17 hairpin turns and dips across 1,213 feet of track. This will be the park's 10th outdoor coaster and the first to be built since The Dark Knight could not be built due to permitting issues in 2008.

"We are thrilled to be partners with DC Comics as we gear up to launch Six Flags New England's 10th coaster. Gotham City Gauntlet will add another incredible thrill for families and teens to our DC Superhero section and solidify our place as 'New England's Thrill Capital,'" Jason Freeman, park president of Six Flags New England, said.

The ride, currently under construction, will open in April on the site of the former Gridiron Challenge. The Slingshot took its place there last year has since been moved to the south end of the park, according to Melissa Pinkerton, communications manager, Six Flags New England.

Gotham City Gauntlet Escape from Arkham Asylum previously entertained park goers as the Road Runner Express at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, until the park's closure in 2009. The coaster has been changed from its Road Runner red and yellow to Gotham's ominous gray.

Six Flags New England will open for the season on April 16.