Touted as “one of the significant, if not the most significant” undertakings that the Park has undergone since its opening in 1946, according to Franklin R. Shearer, senior vice president and general manager of Hersheypark, the attraction will be comprised of a double wooden track with two staggered lifts, with each lift averaging approximately 90 feet. When completed, The Lightening Racer will also boast fifteen drops, speeds of more than 51 mph, and gravitational forces in excess of 3.6 g.

The 24 passenger trains will begin the ride simultaneously, with the “racing” aspect of the ride beginning within seconds of the coaster’s start. Further, the two tracks race side by side and then curve to face each other, adding the “dueling” affect. Throughout the two minute twenty second ride, the trains are slated to encounter a number of ‘near-misses’ with one another, including two “diabolical and dueling” turns where they will pass each other with a combined speed of 70 mph. And, as if the racing and dueling wouldn’t be enough for any coaster fan, The Lightening Racer will also add the element of water - introducing the aspect of thunder and lightening including a waterfall that just barely misses the passengers.