Amusement ride having spinning passenger cars

An improved amusement ride and ride vehicle that permit a passenger to control the rotation of a passenger car as the vehicle travels along a ride course. The ride vehicle includes a support tube upon which the passenger car is rotatably mounted and a passenger operable steering mechanism. The ride vehicle also includes a spin shaft that extends down through the support tube. The spin shaft permits the use of safety systems that are mounted to the chassis of the ride vehicle. Control logic may be used to turn the passenger cars to a preferred orientation at the end of the ride. The ride vehicle itself may be barbell shaped to permit it to turn sharp corners along the ride course. The passenger car also includes a readily adjustable lap bar that is self-releasing. A slot cover, a plow assembly for displacing the slot cover and a slot cover switch are also provided.