Fun factor: 18%

Red Bull Road Rage is something like a rollercoaster on two wheels. The difference: at the 18 % decline downhill bike race at the Gurnigel Pass it’s better to keep your eyes open.

This race is ‘Damn dangerous’ according to Lou, a bike courier from LA, at the Red Bull Road Rage finish line in Malibu, held in 2005, showing his bandaged hand as proof. He had just whizzed down the three-kilometer course through Tuna Canyon at 100 km/h, leaning way over the bike handles in the straights, way over the common-sense limit in the hairpin bends. After coasting over the finish line, he lifted his bike over the barrier – and promptly singed his hand on the wheel rim glowing from the sustained-action brake.

The law: don’t brake

Now in 2008 the world’s speediest bike race has moved from southern California to Europe: On September 6 mountain bikers and racing cyclists will fight it out against centrifugal force and gravity at the Gurnigel Pass in Switzerland. But above all against the attempt of braking earlier and more heartily than the neighboring rival - who’s obviously lost his marbles - in the face of on-coming guard rails, rock faces and abysses.

5000 CHF for five minutes of fear

Those who successfully meet the challenge of covering the 4070 meter course with a decline of up to 18 %, 15 left and right bends qualify for the actual race - and will join a group of three in the next round. The racing rules are similar to a 4X contest. Riding in (hopefully not literally) knock-out races, the fastest from each group gets to the next level. And the one who beats the 99 other contestants (the participant limit being 100) and their own basest instincts will receive prize money to the value of 5000 CHF.