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Grand Prix Ride Blackpool Pleasure Beach: iconic attraction has closed

It was at the resort for over 60 years

Amy Houghton
Written by
Amy Houghton
Contributing writer
pleasure beach entrance
Photograph: Wikimedia
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Blackpool Pleasure Beach has officially reopened its gates after taking a short break over the winter months and getting some much-needed maintenance work. But it looks a little different. 

As well as being rebranded Pleasure Beach Resort, visitors have noticed that a certain ride missing. After six decades, the park’s beloved Grand Prix Ride is no more. The race car ride saw visitors hop into a model car and speed off down a huge spiral track. It began life in 1960 as the Turnpike, with petrol powered cars, before switching to electric powered vehicles in 2002. 

On the bright side, the park will be getting a new ride in its place. We’re yet to find out any details on what it will look like, though.

Why has the Grand Prix Ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach closed down?

In short, the ride has closed because it’s being replaced – but that’s all we know at the moment. 

Amanda Thompson, owner of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, tweeted: ‘To all Pleasure Beach fans, the Grand Prix will not operate this year as we are planning a new attraction. Don’t ask me any more questions about this, I will tell you when I have made the decision.’ You heard her.

Thrill-seeking with Time Out

We’ve got lots of fantastic theme parks in the UK, but back in September this one was officially named the best in the country. At Time Out we’ve got our own lists of the greatest theme parks near Londonthe best waterparks in the UK and the best extreme outdoor activity breaks. In other rollercoaster-related news, this Cornish theme park is finally reopening and keep an eye out for the opening of Britain’s biggest rollercoaster yet, which is due to arrive some time this year. 

Did you see that two of Europe’s most popular Unesco sites are in the UK?

Plus: The legendary Crooked House pub is being rebuilt.

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