Carowinds, Cam Newton Foundation Score Big with Record Breaking Coaster

Park to auction ride seats; proceeds to benefit quarterback's charity

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Feb 23, 2015, 10:02 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Carowinds and the Cam Newton Foundation form a winning team, one that will enhance the lives of local youth. Carowinds will hold an online auction for people wanting to be the first to brave the park's biggest thrill ride ever, Fury 325. When Fury 325 opens this spring, it will be the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster. Carowinds will donate 100% of the auction proceeds to the Cam Newton Foundation.

Cam Newton Foundation Logo

For a chance to be one of the original "fury-ous" riders, guests can bid on one of 96 seats (first three trains). Bidding will take place through Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 p.m. (EST) at www.carowinds.com.

"I've battled some beasts on the field like massive 300-pound linemen, but this roller coaster is somewhat intimidating," Newton said jokingly. "On a more serious note, I love that Carowinds will take something that's going to be one of the best parts of summer and use it to help kids get a good education and be physically fit."

The Panthers quarterback will also give away autographed footballs to the four winners in the first row of each train (12 total). Each auction winner will also receive a Fury 325 t-shirt and hat. Lucky riders will tame Fury 325 during a private event on March 25 (3/25), three days before Carowinds officially opens March 28.

"The launch of Carowinds' Fury 325 coaster this spring comes with much excitement for park enthusiasts in the Carolinas and beyond, and what better way to thank the members of our community than by giving back," says Mike Fehnel, Carowinds vice president and general manager. "This is a fun way to help keep our future leaders on the fast track to success."

Quick Fury 325 Fun Facts:

The world's tallest and fastest giga coaster
North America's longest steel coaster (6,602 feet of steel) and the world's tallest lifted by a conventional chain
It's 20 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty
Took 3,400 gallons of paint to cover the coaster
When it opens this spring, Carowinds will have two of the 10 tallest rollercoasters in North America (Intimidator is 232-feet tall)

For more information, please visit www.carowinds.com or contact Laresa Thompson, 704.587.9050, [email protected].

About the Cam Newton Foundation
The Cam Newton Foundation (CNF) is a public non-profit founded by National Football League quarterback Cam Newton. The CNF was created in 2012, soon after Newton was drafted by the NFL Carolina Panthers. The Foundation strives to emphasize the importance of making education a priority on a daily basis. The CNF also recognizes physical fitness and health as a vital element of comprehensive youth development and its relationship to leading a well-rounded life.

About Carowinds
For more than 40 years, Carowinds has been the place where the Carolinas come together. In 2015, we are excited to debut a fresh, new, and captivating experience for Carowinds -- one that celebrates the best that the Carolinas have to offer. We have nearly 400 acres packed with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions -- everything you need for creating lifelong memories. Thrill-seekers will get their fix with a total of 14 roller coasters – only three parks in the world have more. Families will delight in the zany rides and activities at Planet Snoopy, featuring Snoopy and the entire PEANUTS™ gang. Everyone will enjoy our spectacular high-energy live shows. When the heat rises, cool down at Boomerang Bay, our 20-acre waterpark with two gigantic wave pools, exhilarating water slides, a lazy river and so much more. Plus, Boomerang Bay is included in your park admission.

Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FUN." In addition to Carowinds, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks including Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, three water parks, one indoor water park, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract.

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SOURCE Carowinds