American claims world roller-coaster record

BERLIN -- An American set a world record for roller-coaster riding Tuesday, surpassing his own mark of 147 hours after six days of careening rides in a German amusement park, organizers said.

Richard Rodriguez, 43, followed Guinness Book of World Records rules requiring eight-hour periods of riding with no more than 15-minute breaks, the Holiday Park in the southwest German town of Hassloch said in a statement.

Rodriguez, who teaches English at Loyola University in Chicago, used two roller coasters at the amusement park in his record chase.

For the purpose, one car on each ride was equipped with a small toilet and with seat padding so he could sleep while riding.

Rodriguez first set a record of 147 hours at Holiday Park on July 16, then set out to surpass that mark last Wednesday, organizers said. He plans to stop later this week after reaching 195 hours.

A long-time enthusiast, Rodriguez has been setting roller-coaster endurance records in the United States, England, Canada and Germany since the late 1970s.