Photo: Red Bull/Chris Blecher

It may sound like a bad movie, but in fact it’s a bike race. Red Bull’s Race Down To The Centre of the Earth is a two-up downhill race set in a disused salt mine 700 metres below ground. It’s not a new event, but it’s been nearly two years since the last one. And for once the term “unique” is entirely justified – we can’t think of any other 100% subterranean downhill races…

The Gluckauf mine in Sondershausen produced 100 million tonnes of potassium salt during the 98 years it was in use. Nearly a century of mining has left a huge network of shafts and tunnels between 400 and 1000 metres below ground. Some of the tunnels have gradients up to 25%, adequately steep for a downhill race.

There are a number of unusual challenges to racing in the mine. For a start the surface is unusual – no-one makes salt-specific tyres. Some sections are polished salt slabs, the rest is just loose salt. Then there’s the layout of the tunnels. They tend to run perpendicular to one another, making all of the corners sharp 90 degree turns. Artificial berms will help the riders make it round, and naturally the course designers will be putting in jumps and drops.

At least the weather will be predictable – it’s always 25 degC and thanks to the millions of tonnes of salt absorbing all the moisture from the air, there’s always 0% humidity. And that’s pretty dry. Oh, and it’ll be dark. The tricky bits of the course will be illuminated, but for most of it the riders’ll have to rely on their own lights plus substantial carrot intake and, if necessary, the Force.

It’s an invitational race, with the world’s 24 best racers taking part. The current champ is Cedric Gracia, and he should be back to defend his title. The 2003 race will take place on 15 February 2003 – more details from www.redbullracedown.com.