Klamath Kinetic Challenge: Scoring

The following scoring guidelines are from the 2009 race. There may be some changes for 2010 but the basic thrust will be the same. Any changes should be completed by February or March of 2010.

Scoring of the Klamath Kinetic Challenge is really quite simple (right). The only area needing some explanation is the scoring of the speed competition which also feeds into the Eagle (Grand Champion) scoring.

Timing

The overall time for the course is the summation of elapsed times through each section. The sections include 1) Start to Moore Park, 2) Sand, 3) Moore Park to the Veterans Park, and 5) Mud Pit & Water Event.

1) Time for the first section, Start to Moore Park, is the elapsed time to travel this portion of the race. The start is on Main Street after the dash down Klamath Avenue to determine pole position. Each vehicle will be timed out as they arrive in Moore Park. An official Rest Area at Riverside School is available on the way up KAGO Hill. If a rest is requested then this time is "off the clock" and subtracted from this section's time. The organizers thought it cruel and unusual to expect racers to go all the way up KAGO Hill without a rest, thus the Rest Area.

2) After lunch each competitor is timed through the sand. This is quite short but we feel very important to the speed competition. Thus, times through this section will be multiplied by five (5) and added to ones time.

3) After the sand and collection of the competitors, they will begin the third section, Link River Trail. Sculptures will be timed out as they arrive at the Mud Pit. Elapsed time from Moore Park to the Mud Pit will be added to each sculptures time.

4)* Mud Pit. The Mud Pit, like the sand, is quite short but important in showing the Sculptures capabilities. Therefore, like the sand, the time through the Mud Pit will be multiplied by five (5) and added to ones time.

5) The fifth section, water, will be timed and added to each vehicles overall time. Time will start for each vehicle as they exit the Mud Pit. Thus the transition time from mud to water will be included in the water event time. Time outs will be given to vehicles ready to go but held up by other competitors.

NOTE, THIS IS IMPORTANT: If a vehicle is not able to complete one or more sections of the course they will still be given a speed time for those sections and thus for the overall course. For each section of the race not completed the fastest time plus one hour will be assessed to these vehicles. Note then that vehicles unable to complete one or more sections are still in the running for the Road Runner (speed) and Eagle (overall) awards although with a serious time deficit.

PEL Award Scoring

Time is irrelevant to PEL status as long as vehicles are within the maximum times for each section of the course. These times will be set by the officials depending on course conditions. However, to obtain PEL status vehicles must overcome all obstacles on all sections of the course without assistance. i.e. they must meet all PEL rules.

Engineering and Art

Engineering and Art scoring and awards are up to the Engineering and Art Judges respectively. Engineering Judges are directed to consider creative design, functionality, transition to different terrain, innovation and the sculptures history. They are given great freedom in applying their judgment. (They are Judges) The Art Judges are directed to consider creative craftsmanship that included use of color, costumes, 2 & 3 dimension, kinetic motion, humor, theatrical appeal, mass crowd and media glory seeking. They also are given great latitude in applying these basic directions. They will both be judging vehicle performance throughout the race. There is no requirement that sculptures obtain PEL status to be eligible for the Engineering or Art awards!

Other Awards

Other awards are determined by Race Officials, Safety Officers, and On High Officials. These, as the engineering and art, are judgment calls and thus up to the officials.

* It's a good thing we kept number 4 in the line up since this year we have a Mud Pit. The number has been brought back from retirement.