Whackiness on Wheels: Kinetic Sculpture Race Crosses the Finish Line

DiscoTronic preforms an glorious dance routine at the finish line.

The 2024 Humboldt County Kinetic Sculpture Race concluded its thrilling three-day event with an exhilarating finish in Ferndale on Sunday. The annual race, known for its inventive human-powered vehicles and enthusiastic participants, saw competitors push their creations to the limits over land, water, mud, and sand.

Pee Wee Hermit Crab’s Big Adventure ventures ashore.

Mark McKenna, our on-the-ground reporter, joined the racers in the pain of the mud and captured the excitement as racers crossed the finish line, greeted by cheering crowds.

Queen Glitterina spins her sparkling dress at the finish line.

The race awarded numerous prizes recognizing creativity, engineering, and sheer tenacity.

Major Awards and Winners:

Grand Champion: HumBULLdt Pie Factory clinched the top prize, showcasing exceptional overall performance.

HumBULLdt Pie Factory charged into the bay on Saturday.

1st Engineering: Beaver Fever took the top spot for engineering, impressing judges with their innovative design and execution.

Huzzah!

1st Art: AI Apple Intelligence wowed with their artistic flair, earning first place in the art category.

Apple Intelligence on the water Saturday.

1st Speed: Hobart Here’s the Whos sped to victory, clocking in at an impressive 9:32.
1st Pageantry: AI Apple Intelligence also secured first place for their pageantry, captivating spectators with their presentation.

Hobart Here’s the Whos

Other notable awards included the Best Bribe won by Plan Bee, the Best Pit Crew awarded to Pee Wee Hermit Crab’s Big Adventure, and the Never Give Up prize, which went to Trying the Ominionated for their perseverance.

The event, a beloved local tradition, celebrated its 55th year with participants from across the country. As always, the race combined elements of art, engineering, and endurance, making it a unique spectacle.

For a full list of winners, click here.

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7 Let us come and reason together. Isaiah 1:18
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Mendolady
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Mendolady
8 months ago

Thanks so much for all the pictures. Wish I could have been there.

John
Guest
John
8 months ago

Humboldt County’s Kinetic Race. The coolest thing in the world, period. Only attended it once, in 2017, when I was up there for a visit. To this day, I have videos and stills from it that I took on my phone. Gotta love it.

Thatguyinarcata
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Thatguyinarcata
8 months ago

Such a great event, I try to make at least one segment every year. This year I took a visiting friend to see it and he was blown away.

One correction though, isn’t the finish in Ferndale on Monday and not Sunday?

Ben Round
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Ben Round
8 months ago

Great pics!!!
Anyone know how the Times Standard reported that Duane Flatmo’s sculpture had won? I saw that first reported. Even Duane confirmed that it’s ‘Fake News’!! Ha!
https://www.times-standard.com/2024/05/27/flatmo-dragon-torches-competition-finishes-first/

Jennifer
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Jennifer
8 months ago
Reply to  Ben Round

They were the first to cross the finish line (which does not mean they won, it just means they bypassed some parts of the race, which some racers do when they are not striving to win Grand Champion or earn an ACE).

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
8 months ago
Reply to  Jennifer

Oh. Thanks. Guess they were there to mainly join the fun and commit the (somewhat traditional and accepted) ‘cheating’. We all trust and admire Duane, so he can do as he chooses. (And, sounds like the TS took a few pics of who crossed the finish line first, then took off. Ha!).

Permanently on Monitoring
Guest
Permanently on Monitoring
8 months ago

Amazing photos!

Craftsmen all…

Beyond that, I am verklempt…