Spectator Directions
We are very pleased to now be drawing a number of out of town visitors to the Klamath Kinetic Challenge. It was pointed out to us, by many calls in the weeks before the 2007 race, that there were no directions to the various venues nor schedule on our web site. This page is to help you get to the right locations at the right time. It should also be of use to out of town pit crews.
Klamath Falls
You will probably be approaching Klamath Falls on Highway 97 (north/south), on Highway 140 (from the west) or on Highway 139 from Reno, Tahoe and Fallon. If you are coming from Baltimore, Denio, or other points east call us.
From Highway 97, take the exit to downtown Klamath Falls. You will find yourself where a river, Link River, flows into a lake, Lake Euwana. You are there, the park you can see to the east is Veterans Park.
From Highway 140, just past Running Y Resort turn left onto Lake Shore Dr. This will wind around Klamath Lake for several miles. At the base of Klamath Lake, to your right, will be Moore Park. Passing Moore Park you'll go over Link River, on a bridge. Continue to the junction with Highway 97 which you'll get on going south. Take the first exit, downtown Klamath Falls, and you're there (see Hwy 97 directions above.)
For those intrepid folks coming from Reno, Tahoe or Fallon you'll be arriving on Hwy 139 from the south. Just before arriving in Klamath Falls you'll find the South Side Expressway. Turn left, west, here and continue until you reach Hwy 97 probably 5 or 6 miles. You want to go north on 97 but the on-ramp turns off the South Side Expressway to the left and then curves around 180 degrees. Take the exit to downtown Klamath Falls as above and you're there. Oh man, you say you missed the South Side Expressway? If you start seeing traffic lights then ya, you missed. But not to fear. You are now on South Sixth Street. Just keep going. This will eventually (3-4 miles) take you over a number of railroad tracks. That is your clue to pay attention, remember you already missed one turn. Several blocks later, second light, is Main Street on which you should turn left. Main Street is one way. Stay in the left lane which will eventually turn you left to a stop sign. The Park you see looking straight ahead is Veterans Park, you made it.
Buses and Parking
Good news, you've made it to Veterans Park where the KKC starts. The bad news is there is no parking in Veterans Park, no room even for racers. So now what? Well you'll need to park downtown and walk to Veterans Park. Or bike to the park, there will be a bike corral for safe bike parking. There will be an area to drop off people at the park entrance. It isn't a long walk from downtown, maybe 1/4 mile so walking is an easy option.
Due to the Kruise of Klamath, classic car show and gathering which is also race weekend and in Moore Park Saturday, there will be no parking at Moore Park. We have arranged buses for transportation between Veterans Park to Moore Park. This is a great alternative. Biking along the course to Moore Park is also a good option. The Kruise is arranging parking at OIT with bus service to and from Moore Park.
Veterans Park
Morning activities at Veterans Park include Art and Engineering Judging along with equipment and safety check for pilots and vehicles. A great time to get a close up look at these kontraptions. Activities will commence around 8:30.
The race will start from Veterans Park with a Le Mans start at 10:18. This is a great place to watch as vehicles take off down Klamath Avenue at break neck speeds. They again pass Veterans Park on Main St. before racing up KAGO Hill. Just follow the crowds for this second look at the sculptures.
Moore Park
You can then walk or bike to KAGO Hill to watch pilots sweat up this steep challenge. You can bike or walk with the sculptures along the Gravel Blvd to Moore Park, 2 or 3 miles. Alternately you can take a bus to Moore Park as mentioned above.
You can watch from several places, depending on how fast you are and how fast the sculptures are. They will finish this leg at the picnic area. Vehicles should start arriving around 11:30. Here's another chance to see the vehicles and talk to the racers. There are likely food vendors for lunch. Classic Cars from Kruise of Klamath will be displayed during this time in Moore Park. Should be a great time.
After the racers have had lunch, around 1:00, they will undertake the sand challenge just down from the picnic area. Follow the crowds, you can't miss it.
Link River
After the sand, vehicles will race down Link River Trail. No motorized vehicles here but you can follow on bicycle, watch our for large racing Sculptures. You can also walk though with the sculptures, walk in a ways from each end to watch, or just catch them entering and exiting. They emerge at the base of KAGO Hill near the Favell Museum.
Bike or catch the bus back to Veterans Park.
Veterans Park (Again)
A course change has been made this year in this part of the course. The Sculptures will travel along Klamath Avenue, the way the race started, and turn right after a few blocks. This will lead to the New Mud Pit. Once collected the sculptures will struggle through the quagmire, then enter Lake Euwana at this point. This should be a great location to see the action. Sculptures should be arriving here around 2:30 or 3:00. Walk along Klamath Avenue and follow the signs to the Mud Pit and water entry. A short walk. Then, once the activities slow, walk back out to Klamath Avenue and follow it back to Veterans Park.
The Sculptures will cross the lake and exit at the boat ramp in Veterans Park. We guess (pure guess) vehicles will start arriving around 3:30 or 4:00. Great fun watching the kontraptions try to exiting the water.
There will be vendors for dinner at Veterans Park. Stay for dinner, talk with the racers and enjoy the infamous beer garden. There will be music entertainment by "Cheap Shot", blues/rock. Awards will be during a break in the entertainment.