Steampunk Shark chomps its jaws for the crowd and the glory. Credit: Mark McKenna

The 47th annual Kinetic Grand Championship is underway, with dozens of teams traversing 40 miles of asphalt, sand and water in pursuit of the glory. A trio of Journal contributors — photographers Alexander Woodard, Mark McKenna and Mark Larson — are following the madness. Here’s some of what they’ve shared so far… and be sure to check back early next week when we’ll package the best images from the three-day race.

Members of the Hot Roddenberrys practice their dance prior to unveiling it on the plaza for an audience and judges. Credit: Alexander Woodard
The Hot Roddenberrys warp past the crowd on the Arcata Plaza. Credit: Mark McKenna
Team Hoosier Daddy prepares for the required brake check. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Meri, The Monarch floats past the judges. Credit: Alexander Woodard
The Mountainears completing their “bribe” dance and song to the judges before making their gettaway. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Funguys Too.20 and their posse make their presence known to the public with a loud truck horn. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Funguys Too.20 wait for the start of the 2015 Kinetic Grand Championship on the Arcata Plaza Saturday. Credit: Mark McKenna
Buggy For Glory inches his way past the “break check” area. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Buggy for Glory pilot Peter Wagner has raced for the past 12 years and aced it nine times. Credit: Mark McKenna
Bikin’ Fools unveil themselves to the judges at the mandatory break check. Credit: Alexander Woodard
The Moonshine Banditos take their cart for a swing in front of the judges and crowd. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Shell’s Angels, followed by its biker gang entourage. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Shell’s Angels finishes their pageantry in front of the Jacoby Store house. Credit: Mark McKenna

Tie-Lo-Bike’s pilot give’s the thumbs up during the start of the race. Credit: Mark McKenna
Screwball makes its first lap around the Arcata Plaza. Credit: Mark McKenna
Whale of a Wedding, barely made the corner of the Arcata Plaza. Credit: Mark McKenna
Pineapple Express speed their way down to impress the awaiting judges. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Members of Melven make their way past the audiences and plaza before the race. Credit: Alexander Woodard
The Goddess Busy Bee makes its way onward prior to the beginning of the race. Credit: Alexander Woodard
Spuce Duce makes it’s second lap on the Arcata Plaza. Credit: Mark McKenna
Team Melvin crew pull ropes while the pilots peddle to ascend the dune that leads to Deadman’s Drop. Credit: Mark McKenna
Gary Silver of Shells Angles helps get the sculpture to the top of the dune just before Deadman’s Drop. Credit: Mark McKenna
Shells Angels prepares to take Deadman’s Drop. Credit: Mark McKenna
Bite Me, Punk unleashes some steam toward the crowds and lets out a roaring fin flame. Credit: Alexander Woodard

This article appears in The War on Hippie Christmas.

Thadeus Greenson is the news editor of the North Coast Journal.

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