Backlot Stunt Coaster is a launched family roller coaster at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, built by Premier Rides and designed by Werner Stengel. It opened on May 27, 2006, originally themed to the film “The Italian Job” as Italian Job: Turbo Coaster, before losing its movie licensing and being rebranded Backlot Stunt Coaster for the 2008 season.
The ride uses a linear induction motor (LIM) launch system to rocket its Mini Cooper-style vehicles from a standstill to 40 mph in roughly three seconds, sending riders through a compact, twisting course designed to feel like a Hollywood car chase rather than a towering thrill coaster.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Kings Dominion
- Manufacturer: Premier Rides
- Opened: May 27, 2006
- Height: about 45 feet
- Top speed: 40 mph
- Length: about 1,960 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Riders board compact, Mini Cooper-shaped cars arranged in trains of three cars, each holding four passengers in two rows. After a brief setup, the LIM launch system fires the train from zero to 40 mph in about three seconds, simulating the feel of a high-speed getaway.
The layout winds through tight turns and themed scenery meant to evoke a movie backlot car chase, including multi-level structures and tunnel sections, before a quick return to the station. The entire experience lasts just over a minute, making it a fast-paced but approachable ride for families.
From Movie Tie-In to Standalone Attraction
When it debuted in 2006, the coaster carried official Italian Job movie branding as part of a licensing deal tied to Paramount Pictures, matching sister versions at Kings Island and Canada’s Wonderland. After Cedar Fair’s ownership changes ended the film tie-in, the ride was rebranded Backlot Stunt Coaster starting in 2008, keeping its launch mechanics and car-chase theme intact.
The rename shifted the focus from a specific movie license to a general “movie stunt” concept, which has allowed the attraction to remain a stable, low-intensity family coaster in the park’s lineup for nearly two decades.
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Backlot Stunt Coaster FAQs
How fast does Backlot Stunt Coaster go?
The coaster launches riders to a top speed of 40 mph, reaching that speed from a standing start in about three seconds.
Does Backlot Stunt Coaster have any loops or inversions?
No. It has zero inversions and is designed as a launched family coaster rather than a looping thrill ride.
What is the minimum height to ride?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride Backlot Stunt Coaster.
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Photo: Jeremy Thompson / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.