FAQs - Kinetic Universe, Inc.

If you'd like more information or an interview,
call President Shaye Harty (707) 499-0643 or

Kinetic Grand Championship

Rutabaga Queen

Kinetic Kingdom

Kinetic FAQs

Kinetic Sculpture Racing is human powered engineering and art all wrapped up in the most imaginative racing machines you've ever seen! It's thousands of fans lining the highways, climbing sand dunes, and cheering along shorelines for a giant cat chased by an armoured carp, followed by a flying saucer. It's a festival of artists, entertainers, bands and booths filled with souvenirs and race memorabilia. It's a giddy experience guaranteed to make your face ache from smiling so hard.

Where can I see Kinetic Sculptures?

MAY

Baltimore, Maryland
Boulder, Colorado
Kinetic Grand Championship - Humboldt County, California

JUNE

Klamath Falls, Oregon

JULY

Clearlake, California
Corvallis, Oregon

AUGUST

Black Rock City, Nevada - Burning Man Festival

SEPTEMBER

Prescott Valley, Arizona

OCTOBER

There are nearly a score of races all over the U.S., but the Mother Race is the Kinetic Grand Championship in Humboldt County, CA. It is a three day event that migrates over 41 miles stretching over some of the most beautiful and scenic views along its way from Arcata to Ferndale. A recent spectator from San Francisco described it as, "A delightful combination of a treasure hunt and the Tour De France." However, racers consider it the "Triathilon of the Art World."

When is the Grand Championship?

Every year, the race begins at noon on Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend in May, as the racers take three madcap laps around the Arcata Plaza. From there the racers begin their three day, 40 mile (give or take) journey along the torturous course of land, water, mud and sand. These thrills, spills, hills and water crossings have been described in photos, books, movies and journals worldwide, and continue to bring thousands of visitors to the area each year, to see it for themselves. In fact, it is estimated that the race brings over 2 million dollars to Humboldt County annually.

What makes a kinetic race course special?

All Kinetic Sculpture Races provide challenges to their competitors:

Sand
Mud
Water
Pavement

While other races may only last one or two days, the Grand Championship course is long and grueling, subjecting the racers and their machines to extreme stresses; some planned, others not. But not to worry, the racers are in top shape or as the Hobart Brown, the Glorious Founder says, "If you aren't in top shape when you start, you will be when you finish."

What exactly are these crazy contraptions?

Kinetic Sculpture Racers are artistic, amphibious, all-terraine human powered vehicles. Many make the best of recycled parts from bicycles and the odd riding mower, but some sculptures have over 100 gears, and are built with top-of-the-line machined components. Still others have made creative use of old auto and motorcycle parts, even whole cars! No matter what they choose to use, they all have one thing in common; they are all custom built, one-of-a-kind creations. This relationship between racer and machine makes it easy to understand the pride they feel when, or if, they cross the finish line. But finishing isn't everything.
How do you win?

The Henry Ford crosses Humboldt Bay 2006

Kinetic entries are judged on a set of criteria encompassing engineering, art, speed and their ability to "Ace" the course. Despite our tradition that "cheating is a right, not a priviledge," there are some Real Rules. Most pertain to safety, and the rest to earning Ace Status. To Ace the course means to complete the entire race by pedal power, with no illegal pushing or rule violations including rule #1 & 10, "You must have fun at all times." There is a multiplicity of ingenious and unique awards ranging from the honor of Grand Champion to the recognition of the "Poor, Pitiful, Me" Award. One of the most sought after awards happens to be the Mediocre Award reserved for the race team that comes in dead middle. Awards are given at the Post-Race Ceremony based on a point system scored for each team by our colorful assortment of judges in the categories of engineering, ace, speed, and art. While the race may look fanciful, quioxitic, or downright silly, it's also serious business; a major community-wide event that promotes good fun, creative thinking and charitable causes.

Is there any way to participate in the race without being there?

KHUM-FM, our loyal supporters for nearly the past decade, broadcasts entire event coverage for all three days and streams it online for the world to tune in. They also have a blog on their KHUM.com website that offers all sorts of kinetic information and race trials and tribulations. The Stream Guys made kinetic history in 2007 by streaming live video of the start of the race on the Arcata Plaza.

Is there a way to participate in the race without having to build a new machine?

Yes! Contact the Kinetic Lab to rent one of their time tested ace trikes, or nose around and see if someone wants to lend/sell one they've raced before. Many racers have "old favorites;" some may be available!

How do I build a racer?

For starters, go to http://KineticKingdom.com and read Kinetic Dad Elliot Naess' article about building a machine.

How did it start?

The Kinetic Sculpture Race has been an annual event in Ferndale, California since 1969. It began when local sculptor Hobart Brown "improved" the appearance of his son's tricycle, and was challenged to a race down Main Street by Jack Mays. Soon, another twelve machines entered to inaugurate the first race. Neither Hobart nor Jack won; instead, the first winner of the Kinetic Sculpture Race was Bob Brown of Eureka, California whose sculpture was a smoke-emitting Turtle that laid eggs. The race became an annual feature in Humboldt County and is approaching it's 40th Anniversary.

Hobart Brown and Bob Brown at First Kinetic Sculpture Race, 1969

Who are the racers?

Of course, the earliest racers were the founders of the event, as they are also the ones who expanded it into a three day festival. Today, highly infectious "kinetic fever" still captures the minds and hearts of all whose lives it touches. Racers come from all walks of life, from the brilliant race veterans toiling away year after year, to the mild mannered bank clerk who may well turn into a Frogzilla just for the race weekend. But racers don't do it alone; aside from their own team of pit crews and peons, the rest of the Kinetic Family includes Rutabaga Royalty, the Great Goddess Jen-O, Rampmeister, Kinetic Medics, Kinetic Cops, and countless volunteers who all come together to make the race happen.

Who is the Kinetic Universe?

Kinetic Universe administers the World Famous Kinetic Grand Championship and is actively planning to facilitate the development of new races around the world.

We are a non-profit organization founded in 2007 to:

Develop and encourage artistic human-powered vehicle technology.
Promote and encourage instruction in kinetic art and engineering for all age groups.
Create public art, in all media, including but not limited to visual art, aural art, dance forms, creative dramatics, poetry, lyric arts and emerging media.
Sponsor special events involving public performance of any or all of the above art forms from all parts of the community.
Directly engage in and provide vehicles and facilities so that others may engage in the promotion of the arts.
Demonstrate the benefits of artistic human-powered vehicle technology including: health and well being, reduction of non-renewable fuel sources, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and encouraging critical thinking about global human impact.
Directly promote interchange on artistic human-powered vehicle technology between the first and third worlds.

Whether they know it or not, everyone has a role in the Kinetic Universe!

Our Logo represents:

Mercury- The Media ^{. . .} Venus- The Donors and Sponsors ^{. . .} Earth-The Racers ^{. . .} The Moon- Pit Crews ^{. . .} Mars- The organizers ^{. . .} Jupiter- The Spectators ^{. . .} Saturn- The Government

How do I find out more?

Please visit our websites:

Who do I contact to become a sponsor or to start a race?

Shaye Harty, President -- Kinetic Universe

420 California Ave. #420
Arcata, CA 95521
707-499-0643

email: rutabagaqueen@gmail.com

Adults having FUN so children desire to grow OLDER.

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Page Updated:

April 14, 2008