The Pepsi Max Big One is probably the Pleasure Beach's most famous ride. Once the tallest rollercoaster in the world,
this 235ft tall rollercoaster dominates the park and the seaside skyline. Now this ride is only the 2nd tallest rollercoaster
in Europe, beaten by the Silver Star in Europa Park, Germany. It is the 9th tallest rollercoaster in the world. When it debuted
as the tallest rollercoaster in the world in 1994, it attracted visitors from all over the world.
History
The Pepsi Max Big One was built in 1994 as the tallest rollercoaster in the world at 235ft. Geoffrey Thompson wanted
to attract visitors from all over the world to the Pleasure Beach, and he achieved just that. His dream project brought people
from far and wide to ride the famous Pepsi Max. The Big One was built in "the Golden Year of Rollercoasters", 1994, so called
because the Shockwave had been built at Drayton Manor Park (it was going to be sponsored by 7up) and the Nemesis had been
built at Alton Towers. The UK was back on the map. On the Big One's first run it crashed, but no-one was injured.
It was later re-tracked by Allot & Lomax, the old track being used around the park. In 2003 a Jordan Grand Prix racing
car was attached to the track where the driver had a ride on it! It celebrated its 10th Birthday in 2004, still as popular
as ever.
Facts
~ Was the tallest rollercoaster in the world when it debuted, now it is only 9th tallest in the world (when Kingda Ka
has been built). It is the 2nd tallest in Europe.
~ It is painted red and blue, the Pepsi Max colours.
~ The train goes through a giant Pepsi Max can on the way out of the station.
~ The Pepsi Max featured on Simply Red's music video for his #1 song "Fairground" in 1995.
~ In 2004 a man dressed as Batman climbed to the top of the Big One's lift hill for a father's charity. The same thing
happened at Buckingham Palace the same week.
