The Space Race is a tube ride that launches from a tower, shoots riders down a chute and into a bowl where riders gain ever-increasing velocity as centrifugal force sends them shooting around and around before they plummet through the bottom.

The Space Race also introduces a new opportunity for fun by giving groups of riders a chance to compete as they urge their teammates to be the fastest in crossing the finish line.

The slide pits two four-rider family rafts against each other. The rafts enter the bowl from opposite directions at a speed of more than 43 kilometres per hour (27 miles per hour).

Separated by a divider, the eight riders follow identical helical routes, starting at the perimeter and ending at the centre of the bowl.

The giant specially designed basin allows the racing teams to see each other as they careen around the bowl, providing incentive for them to lean, bend, crouch and tilt in every way possible to give them an advantage in increasing their speed to gain an edge over their opponents.

Eventually, the teams exit the bowl at the centre, shooting in opposite directions as they finalise their sliding adventure via two separate but identical dry or pool run-outs.

The Space Race has a distinctive entry tower where riders can see other teams competing against one another as they wait their turn to enter the race.

Once they reach the top, riders face the exact same challenge as their opposing team, providing a rush as they speed through every twist and turn while safely separated from collisions. At the end, riders can congratulate one another as the winner is announced.

The specialty ride allows for 120 lots of 8 riders per hour. It has optional Natural Light Effects, which allows the sun's rays to stream into the tube via translucent stripes and/or other designs to create a different experience on every ride, Natural Sound Effects and Special Pattern Effects, which allow a variety of theming and patterns on the slide's surface, as well as theming possibilities.

It is made using resin-transfer molding (RTM) technology to create smooth, shiny slide components inside and outside with component alignment. It measures 20m (65ft) high and 66m (216ft) by 52m (170ft) wide with a bowl size of 5m (16ft) high by 26m (85ft) in diameter and an angle of 15 degrees.