American Eagle, Wooden racing roller coaster at Six Flags Great America, Illinois
American Eagle is a wooden racing roller coaster located at Six Flags Great America in Illinois. The ride consists of two parallel tracks where trains run side by side, covering approximately 4,650 feet and reaching speeds around 66 miles per hour.
This wooden coaster opened in 1981 as one of the tallest and fastest of its type at the time. Engineer Ron Toomer designed the structure, applying his expertise developed through decades of coaster projects across North America.
The roller coaster design incorporates traditional Southern Yellow Pine construction methods, using over 2 million board feet of timber in its structure.
Riders need to be at least 48 inches tall to board this attraction, as the height requirement ensures safe seating and restraint function. The coaster operates seasonally, typically from late spring through early fall, depending on park schedules.
Both tracks include a double dip element where trains plunge down in synchronized drops at the same moment. This feature reinforces the racing aspect, as riders on each side experience identical movements simultaneously during the run.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
