Lightwater Valley installs Spinning Racer

Lightwater Valley has opened Spinning Racer, a new family rollercoaster at the Ripon park and the first ride added under owner Mellors Group. (yourharrogate.co.uk) (mellorsgroup.com) The coaster was officially launched on Saturday, April 4, during the Easter weekend, after the park had promoted it as opening with the 2026 season on March 28. (yourharrogate.co.uk) (lightwatervalley.co.uk) Lightwater Valley says Spinning Racer uses free-spinning cars, so each run can feel different, and lists a minimum rider height of 1.20 metres. (lightwatervalley.co.uk) (ukthemeparkspy.co.uk) James Mellors, managing director of Mellors Group, said at the launch that the company wanted to “put the park back on the map” and planned more attractions this year and next year. (yourharrogate.co.uk) That makes the ride more than a seasonal addition. It is the first visible test of the investment plan Mellors Group set out when it acquired Lightwater Valley on January 6. (mellorsgroup.com) (yourharrogate.co.uk) In that January announcement, Mellors said Lightwater Valley would keep its focus on younger families and children under 12, while broadening the offer so “all ages” could visit together. (mellorsgroup.com) The park is now marketing Spinning Racer as “NOW OPEN” alongside a 2026 offer of more than 35 rides and attractions and daily hours of 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on its opening-times page. (lightwatervalley.co.uk 1) (lightwatervalley.co.uk 2) Lightwater Valley had spent recent years repositioning toward a family audience. Spinning Racer suggests Mellors is trying to add back a headline coaster without abandoning that under-12 strategy. (ukthemeparkspy.co.uk) (mellorsgroup.com) For now, the new coaster is the clearest public marker of that reset: a new ride, a new season, and a new owner trying to prove the park is growing again. (lightwatervalley.co.uk) (yourharrogate.co.uk)