The Gravity Group has been brought in to rework much of Mighty Canadian Minebuster this offseason, offering a smoother ride experience with a potential alteration.
Courtesy of Priestly Demolition Inc.
During the tail end of 2024, crews removed the entirety of the track on the first half of Minebuster’s layout. Structural upgrades are normal for wooden coasters; the scale, however, overtook any work the park had undertaken on the ride in recent memory. Fueling scrutiny was the removal of an incline leading into the turnaround, which had only been rebuilt earlier in the year.
This month, Six Flags regional spokesperson Grace Peacock confirmed the replacement of 960 feet (276 metres) of track on Mighty Canadian Minebuster using Gravity Group’s PreCut track system. As opposed to traditional methods of using horizontal plywood to craft tracks at the construction site, engineers fabricate vertically stacked lumber rails prior to delivery, which can then be assembled upon arrival.
Gravity Group first installed PreCut track on Racer at Kings Island in 2021, having since retrofitted a large handful of existing wooden coasters. This offseason, Gravity Group has no less than ten PreCut projects underway, including work at Holiday World and Kings Dominion. The demand is driven by the appeal of not only guest satisfaction, but increased durability for track sections that bear higher forces and stress.
The ability may speak volumes for Minebuster, which before the early 2000s included a pair of hills in place of the single lengthier, less intense peak leading into the turnaround. Management at the time attributed the modification to allow for new waterslides to cross overhead. However, many also believe that the opportunity was used as a means to reduce wear and tear. You can see footage of the original layout below.
Flash forward to present day, and it appears that structural frames have been carefully removed from around the hill. Gravity Group is no stranger to track reprofiling; Kings Dominion used their services in 2023 on a major restoration of Grizzly, which saw multiple ride elements adjusted. Canada’s Wonderland has not yet confirmed any layout alterations to Mighty Canadian Minebuster. Regardless, it’s a cool prospect to consider!
Courtesy of Thrill Warrior
For those who prefer their wooden coasters bumpy, however, have no worries! The return layout and helix will remain untouched (for now) and thus continue to offer the classic wooden coaster experience. Despite this, riders can expect a glossier introduction for years to come.
The new and improved Mighty Canadian Minebuster will share the spotlight this year with AlpenFury, Canada’s soon-to-be tallest, fastest and longest launch coaster.
Are you planning to ride the new-and-improved Mighty Canadian Minebuster? Let us know in the comments section below.
Exciting revamp for the Mighty Canadian Minebuster! Smoother ride ahead! 🎢🚀”