The Kinetic Grand Championship is a 3-day, 42-mile bicycle race over land, sand, mud and water. Many refer to the Kinetic Grand Championship as the “Triathlon of the Art World.”

The race began 40 years ago in 1969, when world-renowned sculpture artist Hobart Brown challenged Ferndale artist Jack Mays to a race down Ferndale’s Mainstreet. In their kinetic contraptions they started a 40-year Humboldt tradition that has spread to Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Baltimore, Maryland and all the way to Perth, Australia. But it all began here among the majestic redwood groves of Humboldt County.

Day 1 of the Kinetic Grand Championship starts on the Plaza in Arcata, California at the noon whistle every Memorial Day weekend. The racers take off to the Manila dunes, where they race through miles of sand to the great and inevitable “Deadman’s Drop.” Then on to Eureka’s downtown gazebo.

Day 2 starts in Eureka at the waterfront on the Humboldt Bay, where brave Kinetic Pilots race their crafts through the water (most float). Then back on land where kinetic sculptures go up Hookton Hill, a 1 mile-7% incline and decline. Day 2 ends with a private campout for racers and volunteers only.

Day 3 starts from the mouth of the Eel River, through Morgan slough and onto dry land. Racers cross the finish line on Ferndale’s historic Mainstreet, where racers park and head up to the Final Awards Dinner at Ferndale’s Fireman’s Hall.

What is a Kinetic Sculpture?

Kinetic Sculptures are all-terrain human-powered art sculptures that are engineered to race over road, water, mud and sand. Kinetic sculptures are amazing works of art; many are animated with moving parts like blinking eyes, opening mouths, heads that move side to side and up and down.

Kinetic Sculptures are usually made from what some people consider “junk”. But one man’s junk is another racer’s raw material. Each Kinetic Sculpture is a work of art and each racing team has its own theme.

The teams consist of pilots, pit crew and pee-ons. Kinetic Pilots pedal the sculpture and steer, the pit crew assists the pilots in transforming the vehicle for the various elements and fixing mechanical issues, and pee-ons, well, they do whatever is needed for the team to get glory. The teams give out “bribes” to their adoring spectators, judges and Rutabaga Royalty.

Spectators are encouraged to follow the race on their bikes (obeying all traffic laws that apply please). Seeing these marvels of art and engineering turns many people on to bike culture and reminds people how much fun riding your bike can be!

Who Wins?

Good question! Well when Hobart Brown started the Kinetic Sculpture Race 40 years ago, he lost the race he created! Now one of the most coveted awards is the “Mediocre Award.”

Other awards include “The Golden Dinosaur,” which is the first sculpture to break down after the start line, “The Golden Flipper,” for the best flip of a sculpture in sand and water, and “Poor Pitiful Me.” Racers can also “Ace” the race, which means they race the entire course for 42 miles without pushing or ''getting caught'' cheating. Each award is handmade by a local artist!

KINETIC UNIVERSE

In early 2007, Kinetic Universe, a 501(c) 3, was formed to take over the task of running the Kinetic Grand Championship, keeping a long-standing Humboldt tradition alive. Three Rutabaga Queens got together to form Kinetic Universe and run the race. 

Kinetic Universe is Adults having fun so Children desire to grow older. We strive to promote Art, Sustainability and the sport of Human Powered All-Terrain Sculpture Racing around the world through the Kinetic Grand Championship.

Board President:

Monica Topping is Rutabaga Queen 2004 and Kinetic Seer, co-founder of Kinetic Universe, former Treasurer and has served on the board since its inception in 2007. She raced in 2008 on the Counterfeit Bluesmobile and hopes to get back out on the course soon.

Board Treasurer:

Emma Breacain is 2007 Rutabaga Queen for the Kinetic Grand Championship and Kinetic Seer. She has raced in many kinetic sculpture races around the U.S. She serves as Treasurer of the Board for Kinetic Universe and has been involved with Kinetic Universe since the beginning.

Board Secretary:

Suzanne Ross-Kohl was part of a pit crew in 2006, a Ground Pounder in 2008 and 2009 and is the current board Secretary, often accompanied by the cutest barnacle in the world, Isadora(ble).

Board Members:

Laura Granados, a Rutabaga Princess, has been a racer, part of a pit crew, and was a Ground Pounder prior to joining the board in 2008 and becoming Volunteer Coordinator for 2009. For the 2010 race, Laura is our race director.

Kati Texas aka "Lotta Paintbuckets" is Rutabaga Queen 2008 and serves as "Racer's Liaison" to the board. She is a muralist and art teacher, working in Humboldt County. In 2009, she made her Kinetic Piloting debut on "Compost Sheep & the Garden Girls," not only earning her ACE, but also major awards for Engineering, Pageantry, and "Best Bribe."

Shaye Harty is 2005 Rutabaga Queen and Kinetic Seer. Also a kinetic racer, she is co-founder of Kinetic Universe and has served as Board President from 2007-2008, Secretary in 2009 and has served as Course Coordinator since 2007.

Harmony Groves is Rutabaga Queen 2006 and Kinetic Seer. She is also a co-founder of Kinetic Universe, former Treasurer/President and former Race Director 2008-2009. She is going to law school and has relinquished some of her Kinetic duties, but not her Kinetic spirit! She remains on the board of Kinetic Universe and continues as a liaison to our sponsors