Organization Working to Preserve the History of Roller Coasters

The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) was recently featured on a PBS Channel 13 special on old amusement parks.

The group is the world's largest club of amusement ride enthusiasts according to their website, aceonline.org.

The club has grown from a small number of people to over 8,000 in all states and 12 countries. Based in Minneapolis, MN, they especially are interested in preserving the old wooden roller coaster cars popular in places such as Coney Island.

You can order your 2006 Roller Coaster Calendar on their website for only $5.00.

They're also accepting designs for ACE logos for clothing and collectibles. The mailing address is ACE, 3650 Annapolis Lane, #107, Minneapolis, MN 55447.

There is also an ACE General Store on the website.

In ACE's Rollercoaster Magazine you can view dips and turns from roller coasters all over the country, up close and personal in glossy form along with stories and interesting stats.

As a publicity stunt for the 1977 movie "Roller Coaster," a group of roller coaster enthusiasts met at King's Dominion Paramount King's Dominion in Doswell, VA for a marathon on the park's new coaster for the year called The Rebel Yell. ACE was founded as not-for-profit, according to staff and it is all volunteer-oriented. Its goal is to foster and promote the conservation, appreciation, knowledge, and enjoyment of the art of the classic wooden roller coaster and the contemporary steel one, according to the site.

"There is a sudden rush of adrenalin as the roller coaster hurtles down and my heart comes up to meet my mouth," said Shoma Mittra, a roller coaster fan. "Perhaps it is the intervening years that makes one forget one's youth."

Many parks host special events for ACE members and a few offer free or reduced admission. Enterprise Rent-A-Car also offers discounts for members on rentals.