How was your first "Open Park" Shift?

Give us the juicy details!

Pretty uneventful in Challenge Park. Ripcord has a good crew this year, the new people have pretty much all been very fast learners, and there are a fair number of returners to keep things running smoothly. Racepark seems to have a decent crew, and they haven't even done anything to make me want to go over and strangle them with their microphone wire (yet....) :)

Although the kid who got on the mic and asked "Pretty please with sugar on top, stop your go karts" definitely cracked me up!

Does this sound familiar Ralph?

"Welcome riders to the Grand Prix race track. For your safety and the safety of all other riders, please listen carefully to the following instructions. Please step into your assigned go-kart, pull the shoulder harness over your head onto both shoulders and connect it to the buckle between your legs. If you need assistance, please raise your hand and a ride host will assist you. While on the course, please do not bump or ram the go-karts. Bumping, ramming, and reckless driving will result in your removal from the ride with no refund. Those riders with a two consecutive ride ticket, please remain in your seats after the ride and hold up that 2nd ticket for your ride host to collect. While on the course, please observe and obey the traffic signals lights. When the light is green you may go. When the light is yellow, please slow down and return to the station, and when the light is red,. please stop your go-karts immediately by pressing the brake pedal on your left and wait for instructions from your ride host. The pedal on the left is the break, the pedal on the right is the gas. In just one moment, we'll begin dispatching your go-karts. Once again, please do not step...PLEASE DO NOT........I SAID PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON YOUR GAS PEDAL UNTIL WE INSTRUCT YOU TO DO SO. Riders on the Grand-Prix track, your light is green, you may go, Your light is green GO!!!"

I've had that memorized ever since I worked at the go-karts. People are always saying, "Justin, do your Go-Kart Spiel"

open close no sunlight for 3 days straight come on its cedar point not six flags we actually have to work just remember please keep all hands in side the ride until it comes to a complete stop and ocean erie is always a good place to visit when your really stressed out

^^ Ugh, I've heard that spiel way too many times. Every year there are a few people who insist on screaming into the microphone when people won't stop their go karts. For starters, the purpose of a mic is so you don't have to scream. Secondly, I understand that 100% of the people who ride the go karts have no idea how to follow simple instructions like "stop your go karts," but I don't think screaming makes them comprehend things any better. It just gives everyone at Ripcord headaches.

Race Park should be turned into a parking lot.

With the number of cars that kept dying over the weekend, it practically was.

^ the cars were probably stalling from people using the gas pedal when the lights are red. The cars are designed to shut off if the light is red and people are still going full blast.