KKC 2009 Wrap-Up

The Fifth Annual Klamath Kinetic Challenge was held June 27, 2009. It was a glorious day, not too hot not too cold, the day was just right. The race was a unmitigated success. It went very smoothly with the racers and crowds all having a great time.

There were ten entries, down from 2008's sixteen. This could be due to the poor economy, it's expensive for out of town teams to attend. But a good number of sculptures were from the Klamath Basin, more and more over time.

The morning saw the sculptures moving though Art and Engineering Judging stations. The judges poked, prodded and evaluated the amazing vehicles. Judging went on all day but this gave the Judges a chance to ask embarrassing questions and interact with the pilots. Then on to the brake (break) test. To the amazement of everyone all vehicles were able to stop, all were allowed to start the race. The vehicles were lined up for the La Mans start. The officials likened this to "herding cats" but in short order all were ready for the 10:18 start time. One pilot from each team was required to start their run from within a portapotty. This worked fine as it was still early morning. And the race down Klamath Avenue was underway.

The Blind Engineers of OIT had some kind of trouble with bolts falling off their sculpture. Important bolts too as it stopped them for a time. This was before the official start though so they didn't at this time win the Pelican Brief award.

The parade down Main Street was uneventful but a fine spectacle for the local residents. The flag dropped as the first vehicle passed Veterans Park and the race was off. The Blind Engineers stopped just past the start line to replace the remaining bolts lost earlier. It seems they had several groups of team members, spectators and officials running around town looking for 3/4 inch 1/4-20 bolts. This stop assured them of the Pelican Brief award. The Professor was found wandering and muttering something about lock-tight.

It was steep going up KAGO hill, just as in earlier years. No major disasters and the vehicles moved on to Moore Park without mishap. Lunch consisted of great sandwiches from One Stop Deli. Then the sand!

A word about the course, it was great this year. Jim Kochenderfer put this together including the sand, a mud pit, and separate entry/exit points for the water portion. Excellent job, thanks Jim.

The sand had a double hill. A lot like a buried, very mean camel. This made it easier to high center and get hung up on both humps. You can see below that Twinkle put on their sand rings for this, quite short, section.

This year the Race was run in conjunction with the Kruise of Klamath, a classic car show. They were displaying their cars in Moore Park while the KKC went through. A good number of spectators drifted up from the car show to see the sand event. Many were amazed enough to follow the race to Veterans Park for the mud and water. This collaboration is planned to continue, the KKC is scheduled again next year the same weekend as the Kruise of Klamath. Added activities, added fun.

Surviving the sand, it was on to Link River Trail. A short but welcomed rest for the Racers then on the road again. It was a pleasant ride down Link River trail, through Veterans Park and on to the mud.

The mud pit was to the east of Veterans Park this year. It wasn't too deep or long but deceptively treacherous. Not impossible but pleasantly challenging.

Finally across the water. As mentioned the water entry was near the mud pit on the east side of Lake Euwana. The vehicles crossed the lake coming out the boat ramp in Veterans Park. It was a steep entry and the racers were glad to enter here rather than try to climb out. The Little Bee That Could was the only vehicle "saved" by the Marine Patrol. Vehicles had varying degrees of success climbing up the boat ramp, but it's always that way and lends some excitement to the end of the race.

And that was it. The only thing left was dinner, music, and the awards. Oh ya, and the infamous Beer Garden. Check out the awards for 2009.

A big thanks to all the teams who made the trek to our race. Also an well deserved thank you to all the volunteers without whom the race would be impossible. If you made it this year we hope you found it entertaining and fun. If not then be sure to plan for next year.