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Cover Story
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Cover Story
Making a wonderful ride a Great Coasters ride!
Great Coasters International and Leisure Labs announce first Great Coasters International product in Japan
C Clair Hain
lair Hain, president and owner of Great Coasters International and Tim Viox, co-owner of Leisure Labs have announced a partnership with Sanoyas Rides Corporation to bring Tobu Zoo’s legendary Regina Wooden Roller Coaster back to its original glory!
Mr. Toshio Kamei, manager, Sanoyas Rides Corporation said: “Great Coasters is the only company who can execute this challenging project, and we are excited to have Great Coasters as our partner in bringing the legendary Regina Wooden Coaster back to its full glory!”
Mr. Masakazu Matsumoto, manager of Tobu Zoo said: “Regina is a well-known and long loved ride by many people. We are very pleased to be able to re-open the Regina with Great Coaster’s new trains.”
Mr. Kamei continued: “It is an honour to have this opportunity to work with Great Coasters on “Regina”: The Legend of Wooden Roller Coaster in Tobu Zoo. Not only roller coaster enthusiasts, but also many amusement park patrons in Japan have been waiting for it to come back. We have no doubt that Great Coasters is the best partner to make their dream come true.”
Tim Viox WINTER PART 1 2022
Clair Hain, owner of GCI stated: “We are very excited to finally be working in Japan. We have been working on this partnership for multiple years and countless miles! As a lifelong builder of Wooden Roller Coasters, I have been familiar with Regina since it was originally constructed. It is an honour to have the opportunity to make this wonderful ride a Great Coasters ride!”
Viox added: “We have developed a very good relationship with the team at Sanoyas and Tobu Zoo - a real partnership beyond a normal business relationship. All parties involved understand the tremendous value such a strong partnership brings to a project. Clair and his team are perfectly suited for this unique endeavour!”
Becci Knowles caught up with Mr. Toshio Kamei, manager of Sanoyas Rides Corporation to find out more.
When and why was it decided that Regina needed updating? Regina was closed due to deterioration of trains in 2019. Soon after the closure, strong desires for revival were heard from not only the guests but also from TOBU’s employees. The operation was closed once; TOBU wanted to express a feeling of “renewal” of the ride.
Why did you choose GCI? We took a ride on White Lighting at Funspot America and experienced the comfort of GCI’s coaster train and track. With GCI’s experience of Ghost Rider at Knott’s Berry Farm, we were sure that they could successfully execute this project.
How closely have you been working with the team? We have been liaising with GCI for 7 or 8 years for
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Artists impression of the new Regina
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