Morning drizzle gave way to glorious sunshine as the 2011 Kinetic Klass gathered on the Arcata Plaza Saturday. Does that signal a glorious weekend is upon us? Time will tell.
The following is an almost komplete (we’ll keep adding to it) and helpful guide to this years kompetitors and their exploits.
(For a preview of this year’s race, click here.)
Photos by Andrew Goff and Venatore Media‘s Preston Drake and Travis Turner.
Roll call!:
Tigers and Amazons – Spirit of the Glorious Founder Award Winner
There was some pre-race controversy due to some members of Eureka High School East Lab’s T&A sculpture allegedly being less than 16 years of age, therefore making them ineligible to participate. Chants of “Let Them Race” were heard. Birth certificates were produced. Tension between racers and race officials were high. We’ll let you know how it goes.
12:01 update: T&A circled the Plaza at noon with the rest of the sculptures. Until we hear otherwise, we’ll assume things are smoothed.
1:32 p.m. update: Apparently, things aren’t all smooth. Speaking with KHUM’s Larry Trask, T&A team member “Sarah” revealed that in order for their sculpture to compete, team member parents had to sign up as official racer. She went on to promise that even if race officials don’t consider her team “Ace-worthy,” T&A would meet the requirements. “I’m doing this for me,” she said.” For the glory, indeed.
2:39 p.m. update: The Journal spoke with Kinetic President Monica Topping about the T&A kontroversy. She stated unofficially that she was “98% sure they’re banished.” More as it deveolps.
UPDATE: We spoke with Alice Krause, the mother of two of the T&A racers who seemed none too happy about the kontroversy she and her daughters had to endure leading up to the race. Listen below.
And then, of course, the racers, Sara and Tess Krause, themselves…
After some brief tension clearing, Glorious Reason and fellow racer Justin Hobart Brown gave his two cents on the issue.
We attempted to conduct similar interviews with Kinetic Universe President Monica Topping and Queen Blue LaRue. Both declined our request. Topping remarked, “Nothing positive can come out of anything I say right now.”
UPDATE: In what has to be perceived as something of an olive branch, Tigers and Amazon were awarded the “Spirit of the Glorious Founder Award” by race officials. For the Glory, indeed.
“Random Tandem”
One of the more kontroversial kontrapions of Day 1, Random Tandem crossed the finish line at Halverson Park well ahead of any other scuplture leading to allegations of “kourse manipulation” from KHUM’s Amy Berkowitz among others.
When the Journal asked Team Captain “Jeremy” whether his two-man operation was in fact an official entry he presented his laminated “Pilot” badge and stated that they were a late entry to combat evidence that they were not announced from the stage on the Plaza by Berkowitz.
Okay, but that race number is suspicious, dude.
Heroes of Gloryopolis – 1st Place Pageantry Award Winner
Know Your Heroes of Gloryopolis!:
Queen Redonkulous! Superpower: The Donk!; Captain Obvious! Superpower: Obliviousness!; Salaman! Superpower: Amphibiousness!; Silver Lining! Superpower: Positivity!; Major Etiquette! Superpower: Politeitude!; Sonic Avenger! Superpower: Underwater Noise Cancellation!; Flying Squirrel Girl! Superpower: A Birds Eye View!; Brick House! Superpower: Destruction!; The Spark! Superpower: Seven Pounds of Glory Shoved Into a Three Pound Sack!; Mega Moxie! Superpower: Sticktuitiveness!
Attack of the FunGuys – Most Improved Award/Best Pit Crew Award Winners
Be sure to watch Kinetic Kelebrity Brian “Funguy” Slayton’s kontraption when it enters the water tomorrow morning. “It’s never been water tested,” team member “Joe” told the Journal.
Awesome.
After a grueling first day, Funguys arrived at Halverson Park, where we informed Brian, “You look like hell.”
He replied, “And I feel half that good.”
We then chronicled a standard “FunGuy Doublefist.”
One…
Two…
Yahoo!
The NewlyDeads – 1st Place Art/Spectators Award Winners
The NewlyDead team displayed impressive pagentry while entering the Arcata Plaza accompanied by a New Orleans-style brass jazz band.
Mr. Fish (ACE)
When the Journal asked this sculpture for its official name, the driver said, “listen.” He pushed a button a button and a deep voice uttered “MR. FIIIIIIIIISH!” If you’ve seen the Mr. Fish commercial, you know it.
The Bottom Feeders
2011 marks Bottom Feeder Captain Duane Flatmo’s 30th year of Kinetics. Earlier this month the Journal spoke with Duane about the significance of the milestone. Read more here.
Betty Betty Chinn Chinn – Best Junior Entry Award Winner
Melvin (ACE)
Coho Cruiser
Knee High Puppet Stage
Road Warrior – Best Bribe Award Winners
Tempas Fugitives (ACE) – 2011 KINETIC GRAND CHAMPIONS!!!
Sleek, sturdy and superb. Tempas Fugitives kicked all of the asses and were declared 2011 Kinetic Grand Champions. Glory acheived.
The Jeep – You Klever Rascals/Biggest Splash Awards
Spilt Milk
Bonnie and Clyde Death Machine – Racer’s Choice/6:32 Award Winners
From KHUM interview: “We’re cruising at 25 with 45’s!”
Sprocket Brothers Private Eyes (ACE)
Sprocket Brothers Private Eyes held the distinction of having the fastest time among ACE Award-worthy sculptures. Not too shabby.
A Piece of Cake (ACE)
Bouncing Friendly Gnome (ACE)
Red Rocket 53
Falcon Mobile
Horseless Carriage 2.0
Horseless Carriage 2.0 may have lost their ACE Award but were, for what’s it’s worth the first sculpture across the finish line in Ferndale on Day 3.
Hook and Ladder 420 – Most Cited by Kinetic Kops Award
Slugtastic – Mediocre Award Winners
Visualize World Peas
Fros ‘N’ Peas (ACE) – One For the Little Guy Award
Woody Endeavor (ACE) – Best Engineering/Golden Flipper Award Winners
Naughty Bears Picnic Basket
The Last Cycle
Baggage Claim (ACE) – Teddy Bear Award
Baggage Claim shocked many by being the first sculpture to cross the finish line at Crab Park on Day 2. Kudos, ladies!
Parlour Car – Golden Dinosaur Award
KHUM Radio’s Larry Trask reported that the Parlour Car is the first sculpture of 2011 to break down. Broken axle. Bummer.
5:45 UPDATE: … and yet they made it to the finish line. Cheers, crew.
Glamorous Gladys – Best Campsite Award Winner
June Moxon’ Green Giraffe gaffed by going the wrong way at the noon whistle. Giraffes aren’t that smart. They eventually figured it out.
The Cyclops – Golden Flipper Award
That’s right. Just a unicycle. Those who witnessed The Cyclops make its way through the sand said it was “a sight to behold.” KHUM reported that it took Cyclops took three glorious attempts at Dead Man’s Drop before making it through.
Bozo & Reason (ACE)
This article appears in Raising Grandchildren.
way too cool, originality all around!
Thank you so much Andrew!!!
Stop age discrimination! Let the T&A bounce thru the race!! For the Glory!!!
Let the highschoolers race!
Let’s keep the Kinetic family friendly. Let the kids race!
Great pictures Erik. You must have covered some ground today.
I love this unofficial kickoff to summer.
Who, Tom?
Kids have always participated in the race as racers. As Hobart (the Glorious Founder) states on page 6 of his official Kinetic Sculpture Racing book: “…our race is open to anyone—with no discrimination according to age (from 9 years old to 80 years of life lived)…” Well, it seems to me that Monica and the rest of the Rude-and-baseless Queens should be banished from this race FOR LIFE for instituting rules that contradict the spirit and INTENTION of the race as stated by its Glorious Founder. Monica and the other Rudeanbitchy Queens need to step down and let a more inclusive and fair organization run this race from now on.
Are 501(c)3 organizations allowed to discriminate?
It is an insurence matter, in order to hold a race like this you need to obtain insurance. To obtain insurance for minors to run the race is too costly it would raise the dues and fees to that level would make it impossible for most crafts to participate. It isnt cheap to build one of these mavhines and then you have the art part by the time you are finished you still have to make bribes. I do not beleive that any one involved in this race condones discrimination of any kind especially not age, its just a matter of insurance. Its not fair to point fingers at the Queens all they are trying to do is put on a fun and SAFE race. I believe that everyone would love it if this were an all ages event. So maybe all you hating on the Queens should invest your energy on raising funds for insurance to cover minors so thayt everyone will be happy.
Ann: Multiple people have copies of last year’s insurance policy for the event and have combed through it, it contains no language prohibiting minor participation. There is lots of language about alcohol, safety, etc, but the “minor” issue is not contained within the policy. I have been told that when confronted with this fact, board members backed off of the “insurance” excuse, and started talking about their own impressions of “what was safe.”
Here is some interesting information that is not speculation but rather that I have sourced for your consideration:
If you go to the Kinetic Grand Championship site “about” link, it tells us that the actual 501.c.3 non-profit corporation formed to operate the race is named “Kinetic Universe” – http://kineticgrandchampionship.com/about_the_race.php
So, lets check on the status of the “Kinetic Universe Corporation” with the State of California
go to
http://ag.ca.gov/charities/index.php
click on “Registry Search” on left column
Set the “Organization Type” menu to “Charity”.
Enter “Kinetic Universe” in the “Organization Name” field.
Click on the “Search” button.
The search results marks the corporation’s Registration Status with the State Attorney General’s office as “Delinquent”
hmmm, what does that mean? According to the definitions on the State Attorney General website at http://ag.ca.gov/charities/content/info.php –
“Delinquent – Status assigned to charity registrants that are delinquent in reporting to the Registry. This may mean they have not submitted the required annual renewal report (RRF-1) or have not submitted copies of IRS Form 990s as required. Fundraising Events for which the required financial reports have not been submitted also display as delinquent.”
Given these facts, perhaps the Kinetic Universe Board should spend less time creating arbitrary rules discriminating against teenagers in the Kinetic Race and more time and energy trying to comply with State law? Perhaps in order to accomplish this, the non-profit also needs new representation on their public benefit non profit board? What do you think, Ann?
Ann:
It has absolutely NOTHING to do with insurance. The policy has no language addressing the issue of minors. These are considered BICYCLES, and the highway patrol has no problems with kids riding these on the streets, so why would their insurance have a problem? THEY DON’T.
I know what it takes to build one of these machines as I have been involved with building many machines that have aced the course, and these kids invested the same time and energy to build their machines. A school in Birney (sp?) spent the entire year building their machine but didn’t show up because they were told they wouldn’t be allowed to race. I believe they have raced before. The pilot of the Tiger and Amazons has raced in the past two races and has done VERY well (Speed Awards, Grand Champion), so why is she (and Eureka High School), as well as other kids, denied this year? In the past, many ELEMENTARY schools have participated including, but not limited to, Sunny Brae School, Briceland School, and a Christian School (For His Glory was their machine) whose name I forget. So it has NEVER been a problem for kids to participate as racers.
The Queens are power drunk and are using these kids as pawns for internal political purposes. Look a little deeper and you might just learn something.
isn’t it interesting also that the Samoa Drag Strip has a Jr. Drag Racing League. Know what the age limit is for a kid to get behind the wheel of a drag racing rail in Humboldt county? 8 Yrs old. 8 freakin’ years old!!! This is a motorized vehicle that goes up to 50MPH in several seconds. No insurance problems, no age discrimination, no posturing by their board, just good fun for kids age 8 to 17 yrs old. http://www.samoadragstrip.com/jrrules1.htm
Banish Topping for life!!!
Lighten up folks, and enjoy the race and pictures. Rather than complain, why not offer to lend a helping hand next year? Putting on a major event like this takes a lot of work–year round–none of which is financially compensated. Of course, it’s a lot easier to complain from the sidelines than take positive, helpful action. And, some apparently believe that name calling and finger pointing lend themselves to glory and an all-ages atmosphere.
Hey Sue,
Did you actually read (and understand) the posts? Did you? You tell us to enjoy the race, but why can’t the kids enjoy the race? Don’t you get it? They’re not letting kids race. Kids have ALWAYS raced in the Kinetic Sculpture Race. The Handbook on running races by Hobart Brown, the Glorious Founder, states: “…our race is open to anyone—with no discrimination according to age (from 9 years old to 80 years of life lived)…” Are you paying attention???!!! This is discrimination specifically not allowed by he Official Kinetic Sculpture Racing book. When they don’t allow a team to race because of age discrimination, “complaining” from the sidelines becomes the only option. The race no longer has an all-ages atmosphere, but that is not the result of our protesting. If the queens are discriminating against a group of people who have traditionally participated in the race, then shouldn’t we point fingers at them?
Would you have told slaves to lighten up, enjoy the work, and stop complaining from the sidelines?
And tell me again about running a major event without compensation, please. I’ve only done it 11 or 12 times, so I’m not sure what you mean. However, the events I helped run were never discriminatory.
If they banish anyone named “Sue” from the race, I would like to see you suck it up and just enjoy the race and pictures. Think you could do that? Are you even a racer, or just a lookyloo?
Petty little queens picking on children. For the Glory?
The kids are racing, chill.
No, the kids are not officially in the race. They will get no awards they qualify to win. Jonathan, I WILL NOT chill until this injustice is rectified. Know what you’re talking about before you speak, OK?
I’m tired of outsiders thinking they know what is going on. They don’t.
We got 3 wars going on, and you are picking this as your line in the sand.
Sad. I think you need to unclog your bong.
On the positive, I think that this rule will be revisited and revised.
Yes, Rick, I did understand and read the posts. However, unlike you, I appear to understand that some things change. The rules of the race–just like its course, length, and duration–have changed over the years, even in Hobart’s time.
As far as your reference to slaves goes, you diminish the horrors of slavery by comparing it to the “suffering” of these child racers. Of course, using your policy of blind adherence to traditional practices, we’d still be identifying states as free or slave. Things change, and often that’s for the better. Just because you don’t agree with it doesn’t mean you are a victim or should encourage people to break established rules.
Hobart Brown agreed to turn over the running of the race to these women, and they have managed to keep things afloat. The rules for participation are printed well in advance of the race, and if the Queens felt that safety is an issue with young children, why attack them as horrible monsters? By encouraging their children to break these rules, it appears that parents want to imbue the race with dishonesty and cheating, and I suppose that’s their right. Such behavior doesn’t sound too glorious, though.
Here’s another perspective on events, via Hank Sims: http://lostcoastoutpost.com/2011/may/30/rosetta-stone-tigers-amazons-kinetics-kontroversy/
Finally, it’s ironic that you feel the need to separate insiders (you) from outsiders (everyone who disagrees with you) and racers from lookyloos. If the race is really intended to be as open and friendly as you suggest, such distinctions detract from the glory as well.
Yours truly would like to see our youth race and participate in a happy, healthy, family oriented, and outdoor community activity away from the iPods and Playstations that have become oh-so-prevalent– as long as it’s reasonably safe, sound, and age-approprriate option to do. No one wants to see an accident or anyone get hurt.
We tell our kids ‘no’ to so many things. It’s difficult for our youth who can’t or don’t speak up for themselves to contribute while adults set the rules that exclude them.
Will the Kinetic races become an ‘adults-only’, ‘no-trespassing’ sort of activity in the future? Let’s hope not. Let the kids take part, especially given the long school holiday we know as Memorial Day.
More comments are found at The Humboldt Herald here. Please post a comment or opinion– not for the Glory, but for the kids.
peace… skippy
Sue:
Yes, some things change, but that doesn’t mean we must accept bad changes without putting up a fight. In fact, we MUST actively fight injustice wherever it is found if we are to be good people.
The age rule has only been in effect for the last 6 years or so. It has never been enforced until now, and only as vengeance against the parents. Safety is not the issue (14 years old being a “young child”?), and neither is insurance. The parents just wanted their kids to have the opportunity to participate in this race, as many people have at age 14 and younger. Their family has contributed more to the Kinetic Racing community in three generations than all the Rude-abayguh Queens combined will do in their lifetimes.
The article you refer to has no justification whatsoever for banning racers under the age of 18. What’s the point?
As far as “insiders” go, that would be someone who is involved with the race and knows what’s going on behind the scenes, not someone who agrees with me. I’m just standing up for the rights of these kids to race in the Kinetic Sculpture Race. Do you always just make up stuff?
I have to ask you: What is YOUR justification for disallowing kids to race after a 42-year tradition of kids racing with no problems? Why would you deny kids the opportunity to participate as racers in this awesome and fun event?
Petty little queens still picking on children. For the Glory?
Stop whining, you’re not putting on the race. Can you give up time from your family, work, and personal life?
Hobart ask these women to put on the race. Did he ask his own son?
Why not stop crying, and try to help?
Go find a policy that will allow what you would like to see for these children to participate.
Go get permits from three cites, and co-operation with law enforcement.
Go raise the money to pay everyone to put on this race.
Can you accomplish the task of putting on this race?
Are you willing to do it without any compensation, and then be despised for it by people who are not getting their way?
Are you willing to take the bullets for irresponsible people, when someone gets hurt, and some one wants to sue you?
Help your community, or sit down and shut up.
Hey Rick, you called us pretty! Thank you! The age rules are not new, the Krauses were not surprised, and the folks most opposed to changing the race ages are the folks who spend the most time on the course up close with the most teams – timers, course coordinators, race directors who see EVERYTHING are adamant about maintaining these age rules for the safety of all spectators, racers, everyone. By the way the tiger girls did not look behind themselves as they merged left to pass my sculpture on highway 101 in south Eureka, THEY PULLED IN FRONT OF A CAR DOING FREEWAY SPEED and caused it to slam its brakes, I am so glad everyone was okay. Oh and don’t worry about our nonprofit status, we are fully legit and in good standing. And we work all year for free, we truly aren’t paid to suffer abuse. Since our dear friend Hobart started his race in 1969, the course has changed several times, laws have changed, the world has changed, and the race rules have changed many times. There’s a long, long list of things people did in the sixties that they would not do today!
Emma, can you try re-reading that post and somehow make it appear that you’re NOT a power hungry control-freak on a monarchy trip? Hanging out with David Cobb as his puppet Green Party chair (or at least the sad remnants of what was once a proud organization) has seemed to rub off on you…
…and by all means, keep egging on your opponents to ‘raise money and do this yourselves’ because they just might do so — and in a manner more transparent than you. So where, oh where, are those Kinetic Universe financial records again? And does your insurance cover your little Imp Society/Burning Man pantomime out on Crab Park or are you just practicing selective enforcement?
“Truthiness” is an ironic name for an anonymous internet troll who calls for transparency.
I’m not a non-profit trolling for ‘charitable donations’ and I’m not picking on little kids to play out my political melodrama, if that’s what you mean.
TRUTHINESS, get a life.
It’s a shame what The Krause Family is teaching their kids. It’s disgusting that Eureka High sponsored this team that is being taught to lie and bully to get their way.
Those two girls and their parents actually threatened officials. They got right in their face and tried to intimidate them. They postured themselves as though they were going to attack officials, muttering “Do not push me, or else” and “that;s not a threat, that’s a promise”.
Shameful behavior.
“I have to ask you: What is YOUR justification for disallowing kids to race after a 42-year tradition of kids racing with no problems? Why would you deny kids the opportunity to participate as racers in this awesome and fun event?”
Legitimate question. Don’t ask don’t tell is within the limits of the law (the rules are in print, right?)…so the name of the game is common sense thereafter. Who’s gonna be the proverbial asshole cop? Why would the race officials themselves want to volunteer to be the asshole cop? I’ve seen this go down too many times. Soccer moms sticking more and more red tape on everybody’s good time.
Topping remarked, “Nothing positive can come out of anything I say right now.”
No kidding, you’re playing cop where you don’t have to. No two ways about it. No debating the issue. You could have let them race. The race should be fun for all ages, you can take racers at their word and let everybody have fun. Remember that next year.
Let’s remember please that the original race to which you refer was a three block stretch of pavement down Ferndale’s Main Street. Now we incorporate Deadman’s Drop, Loleta Hill, and the Bay. We do have a committee in place to resurrect our event the Kinetik Klassik, a mother’s day event in which we invite kids to celebrate that original race with – YES! – a kids’ race on that original Ferndale Kinetic Kourse.
I thought Sunnybrae Middle School always had an entry? . .. . whatever. I hope the Krause kids and all had a good weekend.
Adults having fun so kids long to grow older
Adults having fun and after over 40 years a couple of adults suddenly decide kids can’t have fun right along with em. Kinetic Universe volunteered too much red tape.
the insurance thing has nothing to do with it, the queens Kati, Monica and Suzanne admitted that in the mediation.
we have a source that offers a discount to minors, and medical coverage to participants for a better price.
we offered this source to the universe before the race but their response was that the event is “adult sport” and it’s not safe for kids.
This very year there was a 2 year old that was taken down deadman’s drop on a sculpture, explain that one…
there were several highschool teams and none of them were asked for their birth certificates. this new requirement was directed at our team because they don’t want us winning anymore.
show all the scores and times and you will see we won it easily and the girls were cheated out of their race, when the girls were presented with the Spirit award the queens (all) either left the awards or stood and turned their backs to us. adults having fun …. right…
The Krause family is using and taking advantage of Justin Hobart Brown, manipulating him to get their way.
Duane Flatmo said at the awards ceremony, Al Krause wants this to be a speed race, this is an art race, let us never become a speed race.
We all know the The Krause family harasses officials and other racers every year. People are sick of it.
That’s not fun.
Everyone on the plaza saw the families disgusting performance of lies, threats, and poor sportsmanship.
ALL THE OTHER RACERS PAID THEIR FEES, FOLLOWED THE RULES, AND HAD FUN.
The Krause family did none of these things.
How unfair to the other racers who did things right.
Aly, you would have been scared if you saw your daughters pull out in front of that car on the freeway.
Who cares if some folks want to race for time? Who cares if kids are the pilots? You’re ignoring the bottom line: unecessary, uncalled for and definitely un-fun red tape.
emma, you would be scared if your kids were stuck in a tornado, too. You can play hypothetical situation nonsense all day every day forever.
Bottom line is, FOLLOW THE RULES.
All this crying and grandstanding over rules.
You want to be part of the race follow the rules.
End of story.
haha, OBEY RULES. The world is full of rules, the bottom line in this situation really is: you wouldn’t be reading this right now, nor would I all you took the time to write, had nobody decided to play uninvited cop and left well enough alone.
Let’s see you try to run the race next year.
I doubt you will be successful. I doubt, you will be able to handle everything that comes with it, including the BS coming out of your mouth.
Don’t talk unless you can back it up.
Who would’ve thought this to be such a big deal? It’s humongous. Yours truly would like to see all the kids race and, of course, all folks behaving respectfully. That’s the Humboldt way. Fun for all ages.
Perhaps the Queens will modify some rules, perhaps hold a special event, maybe have a press conference explaining all? However it goes down, skippy appreciates their hard work and efforts by putting on a nice race this year– and in such a short amount of time.
And you?
However you feel, please weigh in your thoughts with the Humboldt Herald, here.
12:27 let’s his/her true colors show.
Skippy, no big deal but witnessing the death of a longstanding tradition because of uncalled for red tape. Hopefully next year everything will go like it has previous years, without any of this nonsense being hyped. Hopefully people who want to volunteer police work within the event’s ranks won’t throw common sense out the window, or at least maybe work a different arena than one that involves thumbing participants over protocol. They can even print the rules in triplicate if it makes them feel better.
Alan you’re such a talker. Why don’t you and your family run the race next year since all of you think you’re entitled to it.
that thing on the freeway never happened the “other car” was ours, nobody slammed on any brakes, we had a car in front and behind the sculpture, I watched the pass from in front, my wife from behind. totally remember the pass because it was the queens…
My mother ran the race from 77-86, when I was a teen our home was kinetic central, in those days there were twice the number of sculptures in the race. I was on the rules committee from 77-90 and a steering committee member in 96-97.
22 years of participation as a pilot, so yea, I think I know how a good race is run…
Do it Al! Then you and Justin can have fun suing each other!
Congratulations to Tigers and Amazons for winning the Spirit of the Glorious Founder award, chosen and presented by Justin Hobart Brown himself at last night’s awards ceremony! What a fabulous, wonderful year of Kinetic ingenuity, happiness, glory and a touch of madness. I’m so happy to see the adults having fun to inspire the next generation, and am honored to have shared it with you all! What an incredible Humboldt County legacy that we are all continuing in our own special way.
Well said Natalie! G-Ma loves you and Glory!
The tiger was beautiful, the machine looked good, but they broke the rules. Another negative moment in the race brought to you by Aly Krause and company. Seen it for years and it’s still just as ugly. There’s an insurance liability and safety issue here and powering your way around the rules could jeopardize this whole event. I was out on the mouth of the eel river the third day and watched as these girls spun in circles fully soaked for 45 minutes in freezing cold water with no steering yelling at the sheriff posse boat to come rescue them. Letting these girls go out there was child endangerment and very disrespectful to all the race. People do drown, and having a 14 year old child possibly drown in this race is not worth breaking the rules over no matter how many generations of racers you’re from.
Racer Five:
Excuse me, I was there, considering it was me, and if you were there as well you would know that everyone out there was blown in circles, not just my sister and myself, and when we realized we were not going any further we attempted to free ourselves from the mud in order to keep from fouling our prop further. We were up to our knees in water, there was no way we were drowning in maybe three feet of water. At no time we were fully soaked. Tess and I handled things very well for being teens in the circumstances and we do not deserve to be treat like this simply because we weren’t strong enough to get our machine out of the mud alone.
And if you were so concerned for the well being of Tess and I, why did you not paddle out to help us from the oh so dangerous sand bar?
There is nothing in the world so American as willfully disobeying an unjust law. Anyone saying that it’s all a moot point because they broke the rules is missing the point. The point is that the rule never should have existed in the first place.
So lets clear up a few things:
1) “It is an insurence matter” (their bad spelling, not mine.)
Untrue and fully refuted. There is nothing in the insurance documents that mentions minors, or age at all beyond drinking laws.
2) “THEY PULLED IN FRONT OF A CAR DOING FREEWAY SPEED and caused it to slam its brakes”
Emma, that car was being driven by their mother, Alice Krause. Their father was the yellow truck that passed you a few moments before. Their older sister was the car a few lengths behind. The family esscorted the girls on every single road that they could, and anywhere they weren’t able to take a car, they had crewmembers on bikes. They were safer and more well taken care of than almost any other vehicle.
3)”Those two girls and their parents actually threatened officials… muttering “Do not push me, or else” and “that;s not a threat, that’s a promise”.”
I watched those events. It’s nice being the one most people don’t recognize. It lets you really get close and listen. The “don’t push me” was Emily Krause (the pilots’ older sister). She said it to a much larger man dressed in a black hat and sunglasses who was standing next to Monica Topping. She said it because this man was acting aggressively toward her.
The words “That’s not a threat, it’s a promise.” were said by Alice Krause, and it was not about anything physical. It was because Alice told Monica that if the officials enforced the age rule that Kinetic Universe would never get a contract to put on the race again. When Monica replied that it sounded like a threat Alice replied “I think you know by now that I don’t make idle threats.”
Remember folks, taken out of context, anything can be made to sound incriminating.
It should be noted that during these events there were six police officers standing by to ensure everyone’s safety, and while there were a lot of angry words spoken, the only physical aggression showed by anyone was by the aforementioned man in the black hat, standing with Monica Topping, and he was acting threatening toward a pair of teenage girls and a 27 year old female school teacher.
4) “Duane Flatmo said at the awards ceremony, Al Krause wants this to be a speed race, this is an art race, let us never become a speed race.”
Actually, Duane and Al have known each other for about thirty years, and as far as I know, neither has ever said anything negative toward each other. At best I could classify it as a friendly argument. What Al Krause actually wants is for Art, Speed and Engineering to all be worth the same amount of points under the judging rules. I can’t speak for Duane, but I’d suspect that he feels similarly.
5) “ALL THE OTHER RACERS PAID THEIR FEES, FOLLOWED THE RULES, AND HAD FUN.”
Actually, they did pay the entrance fee. The check was handed back to Alice Krause at the awards dinner. (Actually, first they handed her someone else’s check. It took them a while to find the right one.) Because of the enforcement of the age rule, Alan and Alice registered themselves as the official pilots. Then, when the race started, they changed pilots, which is completely withing the rules (it just bars a team from Acing). With that exception of switching pilots, Tess and Sara Krause ran the entire course, from plaza to finish line, and Aced it.
6) “Why don’t you and your family run the race next year”
The Krause family, with a lot of support from various kinetic veterans and friends, including Justin Hobart Brown, nearly had to take on the race with less than a month to prepare because of a contract dispute. After five hours of mediation, Kinetic Universe finally signed the revised contract, which included clauses that kept them from changing the rules without his involvement, and forced them to admit that Justin Hobart Brown does, in fact, own the Kinetic Sculpture Race, just as Hobart Brown did before him. (Hobart’s belongings, including the race, became part of a trust upon his death. Justin is the Trustee.)
It should be noted that part of that contract was for financial compensation in the amount of $19.69 to be paid before the event, which Kinetic Universe failed to do. That means the entire event was both Trademark Violation and Violation of Contract.
In spite of everything, I have no grievance against anyone that tried to bar Tess and Sara from racing. They were trying to do their jobs as they understood them. My problem is with the spread of disinformation. The whole controversy came from a false claim about insurance, which means either someone in charge was badly misinformed and refused to back down when presented with evidence in opposition (in which case that person or persons are incompetent and need replacing) or someone is being deliberately dishonest. (In which case that person or persons are malicious and need replacing.)
I don’t know who will run the race next year, but I don’t think Justin will sign any contract with Kinetic Universe again.
Ahem,
Anyone who started the race early broke the “official” rules! I do believe over 75% of the racers started early because “someone” set off the siren early. All racers who started early should be stripped of their awards and the awards should be given to the genius behind the fake siren…
P.S.: The darkness is rising!
Tess and I boarded our vehicle as the real noon whistle was sounding, does this mean I should have been awarded my ACE wings?
It sure is sad that teachers are here encouraging this despicable behavior.
From what I saw, that man was creating a barrier between an aggressive, upset teen, threatening with body language and point in the face of Monica. She invaded officials personal space, and that is not okay.
I won’t be sending my children to Eureka High, if this is the kind of people they have instructing our children.
Also, this contract is ridiculous! Who should own the race?
No one!
What a horrible legacy to carry on. This is why the race almost did not happen before Kinetic Universe volunteered to take on the daunting task.
Hobart was suing people for running the race. Now, here we are again 5 years later with his son, doing the same thing.
What a shame.
What a shame it is, that the Krause family are taking advantage of Justin, and using him to carry out thier selfish endeavors.
Do the “Extreme”. That’s where you can do anything at any age. Oh, wait…that race went by the wayside because no one came.
That’s really classy bashing on a young girl and her family Race Five. You deserve a metal!
Emma, read again. That’s PETTY, an apt description.
Do you folks know that 8-year-olds can race DRAGSTERS at the Samoa Drag Strip? These are motorized vehicles that go from 0 to 50 mph in seconds. No insurance problems there! So let’s not hear about the “dangers” of teenagers (or even 9- or 10-year-olds) riding what is basically a bicycle in an “organized” and structured event. The insurance company doesn’t consider this an issue, and neither should we.
This is an outright case of selectively enforcing a rarely, if ever, used rule against INNOCENT VICTIMS to exact revenge upon their parents.
Those of you who support this seem to be ashamed to give your real name. What’s the matter, don’t you want anyone to know you hate children and want to keep them from realizing their goals and aspirations? Don’t want them to know you would snatch dreams and opportunities from the grasp of young people?
In MY book, Tess and Sara are the 2011 Overall Grand Champions of the Kinetic Sculpture Race.
Hey Racer Five, Al did the Kinetic Race AND The Extreme, now his kids would like the same opportunity. Why do YOU want to stand in their way?
Also, where were you when the Extreme was run? Didn’t you have the Kinetic Kahones to attempt such a challenge? Or were you just chicken, like now, as you bash one of the most wonderful families I have EVER met, yet are afraid to give your name?
And Sick of the BS: If you’re sick of it, then why are you so generously spreading it? Al and Alice are great parents and have raised some of the best kids I have known. They are definitely top-notch parents. I can’t imagine what little monsters YOU might have raised! And who should own the race? How about the guy who invented it? And doesn’t he have the right to pass that property down to his son? What world do you live on?
Three generations of the Krause family have contributed more to the Kinetic Sculpture Race than all the queens and Racer Five have, or will, in their collective lifetimes.
Case and point:
Babies crying because they did not get their way.
Shameful behavior.
Total BS. Case IN Point:
Responsible adults protesting an injustice.
Wow, what an S-head.
Or maybe a Chicken-S. Attacking kids under a pseudonym.
Very shameful behavior.
Sick of the BS:
There is a difference between tantrum and passion. It’s okay, I understand that you do not see it, for I would honestly be surprised if you knew up from down.
I hope you feel really big.
You can’t buy alcohol until you’re 21, you can’t ride on certain rides at Disneyland unless you’re a certain height, you can’t buy cigarettes until you’re 18, you have to wear a bike helmet on a California highway if you’re under 16, you can’t go into the kinetic lab of horrors at Halloween unless you’re 14 years old or over, and you can’t pilot a kinetic sculpture until you’re 16 with an adult. These rules weren’t made by people who hate children and are trying to take away their dreams. These rules are in place because people like children and want them to be safe so they can reach their dreams. Sorry, but I think there should be an age limit and yes there should be rules. This is an adult race which allows kids to watch, participate in many ways, (pit crew, logistics, building, costume making, etc.) be inspired and hopefully start racing when they reach the proper age limit. What’s the problem with that? I’ve seen many of my students do just that. I thought the Tiger was wonderful, (actually my favorite from the school so far) and the girls rode it fine, but it seemed such a negative vibe was created around them. It might of been more fun, less negative and stressful on everyone in the race to have just followed the rules.
there has been at least one pilot under the age limit every year for the last six. Mason was allowed to race in violation of this rule, and even steer the sculpture the entire distance. “whirred peas” had a 11 year old pilot last year as well.
the age limit is knowingly not enforced if the Kinetic Universe likes you. (Mason’s mother told us their entry forms always said he was 17 and she 29 )
KU knew about our entry well in advance and we were told that it would be overlooked (like all those other children on sculptures)
the night before the race I called to confirm out entry and there was no problem with the team until we got to the plaza.
we were on all the score and timing sheets that were produced in advance.
there were several other teen age teams out there from other high schools , none were asked for ID.
This is all on Monica, we were cleared until race morning when we were then refused.
All the this is on you Al Krause.
You knew the rules well in advance.
You still came with a plan to break the rules.
You made threats to get your way of breaking the rules.
The racers know it, and no one is going to stand behind such poor sportsmanship.
These threats are well documented by the media, through your puppet mastery of Justin Hobart Brown.
I know in the past, teams have lied about their age to be able to race. But that doesn’t make it ok. That is exactly the reason for them checking the ages of pilots…. People lying on the registration forms. How else can the race officials make sure there are no minors on these machines?
Just an observation: Someone lies about the age of a pilot and they run the race. They loose a pontoon and the machine sinks pulling them under. If they drown, the parents sue the race and it’s all over. Is that really what you want? Not me. I am a good swimmer and don’t think I should have to wear a life vest. It’s harder to peddle while wearing them. But they won’t let me in the water unless I have it fully buckled. Should I comply with this rule and have fun…. or fight it and drive thru the race all weekend with a negative scowl?
How old is Sara Krause? If you listen to that interview, that question seems to trip her up.
Duane: Going back DECADES, there have always been minors involved in the race (as Hobart wished). Elementary schools and high schools have regularly entered the race. So why shut them out now? Tragedy can happen while walking down the street, but it hasn’t happened in the KSR those many, many times kids have raced. So what’s your argument, again? How about parents sign a waiver? You do realize that 8-year-olds race dragsters at the Samoa Drag Strip. These are motorized vehicles that go from 0 to 50 mpg in seconds. Comparatively, kinetic racing is as safe as it gets. Were YOU asked for a photo ID? Rules are rules; everyone should have been asked for ID. Selectively enforcing this rule shows that the queens had a vendetta against the Krauses and, unfortunately, took it out on innocent kids. Sorry Duane, your argument doesn’t hold water. Go back to the drawing board and come up with another argument to exclude kids from having the same fun that you do.
olive branch my ass…its what justin came up with so that I would end the rampage I was bout’ to start…oh and thanks so much BullShit for your help as you failed to mention that a family member was wating on shore and jumped in in water to bring the girls in because of their broken prop that the SO was unaware of…and that they where put into a warm car with dry clothes food and water within minutes of getting to shore…not to mention all the adult teams I was handing out bottled water and food to because all their crew had also headed to the finish line…and the only ones to treat Justin like a puppet are thoes with false intentions that might all well ofhad there hand up the ass that they where kissing
Pardon me,
I don’t anything fun or glorious about this comment stream. Why don’t we talk about Bob Doran’s video of all the racers starting early…
That’s a lotta people breaking rules…
Going back decades we use to drink alcohol on the machines too. There was never a rule about drinking during the race back in the good ol days. That rule changed over time. Why? because people were not safe with huge contraptions barreling down the road while being drunk. I like that rule. The rules of the race have changed many times over the years and Aly has been part of these ever changing rules and so have I. Unfortunately he bowed out of the race many years ago and never became proactive in the running of this race in these recent years. There are ways to become part of the rules process by going to these open meetings and voicing an opinion. Most of these rules are thought out and voted on by a democratic process. Not by spreading hateful emails to the media and chastising the people doing the business of keeping this race alive. These rules are changed for good reasons and to make this sound like a personal vendetta and a hatred towards kids is so childish in itself. Rick, do you think they should let kids ride on the Matterhorn at Disneyland even if they don’t make the height standards? Is that being hateful toward kids and not letting them join in on the fun that others get to have? come on….This race is not the samoa drag strip and every event has a set of rules. Some are different than others. Sorry bout that.
If I had been asked to show a photo ID… I would have.
For a race built on the promotion of cheating, bribery and getting away with as much as possible, this seems like an odd place to draw a line in the sand, with very suspicious timing and enforcement.
Duane, if you want to take off your vest once you’re in the water, you can. No one can stop you.
Sick, you seem pretty focused on Al. It’s coming across as pretty personal to you.
It’s funny that you think Justin is being manipulated. As near as I can tell, Al and Alice, and the supporters of the Amazons, are the ones tying to help Justin maintain ownership of the race (his property) and his father’s vision of it (his family legacy).
Justin wants his son Nicolas to be able to race with him. Not in ten years. In one. Nicolas is seven. If Kinetic Universe has their way, not only will Justin lose possession of his Father’s creation, but Hobart’s grandson won’t be able to race with his dad until Kinetic Universe says it’s ok. Seems wrong that they think they should be able to override parental consent. Kids do lots of dangerous activities. There’s even a youth MMA league now. If parental consent is good enough for something like that, why should this be any different?
Seems to me that if you think Justin is being manipulated, you don’t know him very well. He asked for help when he thought he was about to lose everything. Al and Alice gave it, and their kids payed the price.
What’s ironic is that this year Kinetic Universe dressed up as superheroes, traditionally vigilantes who break the law to fight injustice…
Evil ring master I am in awe of your evil ways…come to the dark side we have cookies
Thanks to all of you who helped put the race on. Ham Radio operators, safety officials, judges, ace refs, t-shirt printers , vendors, trophy makers (Aly included), tree trimmers making the course passable, KHUM radio, musicians, chefs and New Belgium Brewery for the support. Let’s not over look the good stuff because of this heated debate.
blah blah blah…later guy’s! see you next year.
So daddy Krause was the spawn of a long-time racer? I’m guessing that was Ma Barker shaking her angry fist at the organizers and saying she’s the grandmother and should KNOW how old her granddaughter is….WHILE LYING! Apples didn’t fall far from that tree, did they?
We can chose to be in a race (and world) run by responsible people who see a need and fill it OR let people who obviously have only their own demands at heart and will stop at nothing to get their way. The Krauses are exactly what is wrong with the world and, Goddess help us, they have bred.
Oh..excellent job Andrew. These are much better than what I got.
I have known Tess since we where in preschool together and Sara since she was a baby. Tess is 18 (yes, that is considered an adult), she worked so hard on that tiger sculpture she had no time for anything and then when she showed up to finally get to use it she was told she couldn’t.
Try to imagine being a senior in high school and blowing off everything because you just really wont to work on this one thing. I know that personally I was thinking about my boyfriend, prom, grades, and a lot of other stuff but Tess was driven to do this which I find really impressive. Then after all of that hard work Tess was told that she can’t ride in the race because they think her sister is too young and that she, Tess, is too young (too young to ride a bike but old enough to join the army).
All of the politics of the race aside, why should it matter if a teenager, (Sara), is in a race when she is with her sister, (Tess) who is an adult? I would like to remind you all that Tess raced the past three years, and all when she was under 18, but know when she is legally an adult she is turned away.
I’m sorry but she is one of my best friends and it really just pisses me off that this is being turned into some big ethical and political argument when its simply about weather a girl gets to ride her bicycle in a race she has competed in before and worked incredibly hard at. Don’t you all see how stupid this whole argument is? Let the young adult and her teenage sister ride their bike!
(please pardon my spelling. I am dyslexic but fulled by a territorial rage for my best friend had to put my two cents in anyway.)
These aren’t bicycles.
They are kinetic sculptures.
You can ride all the bicycles you want. Sorry, you can’t join the army til you’re 18. Not 14 nor 16 but 18. Maybe you should have found another pilot who was old enough to ride with the older sister. Then you wouldn’t have to break the rules and force your way into a race that ends up pissing off just about everyone but a handful of your supporters. Try forcing yourself into the army and see what happens. Maybe your parents can run in and sit down to join, then you can run in and take their seats when no one is looking. Ya, thats another good idea.
Legally, they are bicycles. The law classifies the kinetic race as a bike race. As long as someone is legally able to ride a bicycle on a public road they are legally allowed to ride a kinetic sculpture. That’s why the insurance for the race doesn’t mention age.
The actual history on this is as follows:
Hobart went to the CHP seeking a way for the sculptures to be allowed on the streets, in a meeting with CHP Capt. Bruce Roberts, Hobart asked if sculptures could be recognized as farm equipment. Capt. Roberts said they looked more like bicycles to him and that became the decision, Kinetic Sculptures are recognized as bicycle by the California Highway Patrol and all related bicycle vehicle codes apply.
while Racer Five thinks he is building parade floats he is really building a “bicycle” to take part in an art race.
if they weren’t classed as bicycles the route would have to be completely closed to traffic and the costs for that would be WAY more than the $ 1095 (one thousand and ninety-five dollars) insurance bill for the 2010 race. insurance is not the boogie man here, porta pots cost three times as much!
Racer Five- Actually Tess is 18 (her sister Sara is 16) if you bothered to read the second line…
The bottom line is that the organization putting on the race can choose any age limit they want. Soccer is legal to play by all ages. But try to get into an over 40 soccer league when you’re 39. Seems pretty cut and dry.
Yes Race Five, all kinds of things have age limits. The difference is that they are enforced on everyone the same way, unlike the Kientic Sculpture Race. The rule enforcment has been completely selective. There were other highschool teams on the plaza this year (including MacHigh and a school from Colfax) and niether of the teams were even asked to present identification. Mason Estabrook has been writing age 18 on his form since the age of 11 and no one made a fuss about his entry forms. This whole situation is entirely because of a personal conflict the Queens have with my parents. The fact that the Queens are taking their conflict out on two teenage girls is completely imature, and then to go as far as critizizing their parenting? They have no business to think they know better than my own mother and father.
Actually, that’s not true either. The roads are public, and not closed for the event. (closed to traffic is different than closed to the public) The bay is a public waterway, and the dunes and parks are public beaches. The vehicles, and competitors, are only legally limited by the laws regarding bicycles.
The race has no grounds beyond that to keep people from racing. To try is unlawful discrimination.
So that means that past precedent, public opinion, and the law are all against the organizers in this case.
Racer Number Five, please check your facts before posting.
I will continue to stand by my kinetic family and hold my head high knowing we are doing the right thing…the truth will come out, it has a way of doing that. Some of us get that it isn’t about what it has become the last few years with the excesive “fundraising” partys that seem to get more attention than the race itsself…also note that it is the wonderful voulenteers the true heros on the ground that make this hapen…not the fake heros who where to busy seeking their own personal glory. My dad’s dad won the 2nd and 3rd race…my dad raced with him, I have been involved and my 6 year old is a kinetic kid. For some of us it is our family our history…its our roots and we will protect what has brought us so many wonderful memories in hope that our children will be able to pass this amazing experiance down to there children…our future
Duane said it best..
Do you think they should let kids ride on the Matterhorn at Disneyland even if they don’t make the height standards? Is that being hateful toward kids and not letting them join in on the fun that others get to have?
Chelsea,
“Excessive fundraising”? Reall?
You see how big of a monster this race is. Do you know how much it costs to run this thing?
Ignorance and selfishness, that’s what all this terrible complaining is really about.
Just have fun people. Even having fun requires rules.
Height requirements are about the inherent danger of the ride. Short people cannot be properly restrained by the shoulder bars and run the risk of being flung off the ride.
Kinetic racing has no such danger. It is no more dangerous than riding a bicycle.
Keep in mind that one of the racers barred from competing this year was the Grand Champion three years ago. At the time she was 16. The course hasn’t changed. The insurance requirements haven’t changed. Why was she barred entry now?
The argument essentially boils down to one side saying “we do not think children should be allowed to ride their bicycles in a public race, even if they have parental consent.” and the other side saying “you do not have the authority to make that decision.”
It clearly comes down to the law and the wishes of the owner of the event, both of which are on the side of the Amazons. Kinetic Universe is in the wrong. That’s fine. It happens to everyone sometimes. What’s not fine is refusing to back down in the face of overwhelming evidence.
Spirit of The Glorious Founder Award goes to Tigers and Amazons………………..
To those of you who speak about things and know notta, The Krauses and/or anyone else of the human race will not be taking advantage of my Father’s estate/legacy/hairball heirloom in the forseeable future. All that has happened is that I have had some help learning to be strong, tenatious (sp?) and positive in this seemingly endless quest to secure my father’s gift of this race to his spawn and beyond. going to play some softball rite now but i will gladly answer any questions any of u mite have a little bit later.
glory, gratitude and the love chicken to each and every one of u!!! Justin Hobart Brown
like father like daughter.
negative, critical, cynical, mean, smug, pompous and wrong.
Racer Number Five has now graduated from being simply mistaken to making Ad Homonym attacks over the Internet from behind a pseudonym against a child…
Way to add credibilty to your side of the argument, Racer. Not really sure what you hope to accomplish here.
Well I WAS hoping to have some somewhat intelligent dialog to get into when i got back here, but wow it seems that Racer Five has broken some sh*t down for the people and uhhhh managed to kill any semblence of a conversation worth having……………………
So as far as softball is concerned I went 2 for 3
with some RBIs, out in centerfield I caught one fly ball and had one error. Left fielder Korey Hendrix is a great player and so is Pitcher/Coach Jason Trevino! HRD referee and SStop Hans and Catcher Peter happen to be very involved KSR guys that also spent all last weekend doing that kinetic thing, just like myself…….Very very enlightening talks at the after game chat session that i was privy to enjoy……………..who knew that sports would be such a catalyst for the right kind of talks about most matters important to me! 2011
Remind me NOT to do live audio interviews after just finishing a day long quest to ACE in KSR over Road, Sand, Dunes, 3 Samoa Bridge segments and a time limit of 6:32 PM. So that’s from 12 noon to 6:31 PM constant pedaling, from Arcata Plaza to Samoa Bridge Halvorson Park!……………….Ok so I did sound a little Ditzy……………………………….Can’t we fix it in the mix?!?!?1
jhb
And thank Andrew Goff for first the comic strip seven oh heaven and then this interview which i sucked at but did kinda get my point across eventually!!!
Eureka High School should reprimand this team. Despicable behavior with two bullying parents spurring them on for their own ego boost. Sad.
Actually, the teachers are behind the Amazons on this. Ron Perry, the East Lab teacher, was there with them most of the weekend, taking pictures and getting just as angry at the officials who were trying to bar them from racing as anyone else.
Even the Superintendant of Schools, upon receiving a letter notifying him of the events and advising him to stop the kinetic program (and to punish the students) said that he had no inclination to change any of the East Lab leadership, policies or advisors.
Once again Racer Number Five is speaking without any facts or evidence to support thier argument.
Wow, Racer Five, you have absolutely NO CLUE. By the way, who are you? Scared little chicken-shit hiding behind a pseudonym and attacking children and a family that is one of the most loving, most together families on Earth. And their egos? Non-existent. If you want to talk about egos, how about Duane Flatmos? He doesn’t want kids in the race because kids make good news stories and they will no doubt take away HIS chance at an interview and self-promotion. (A story on a guy who has raced for decades yet can barely ace the course is not very interesting.) It has absolutely NOTHING to do with safety.
You obviously don’t know the Krauses. What a “brave” little shithead you are!
So, Racer Five, wanting your kids to have the opportunity to realize their goals and race in an event is somehow tied to their egos? I think it is called good parenting and supporting your kids interests.
You all miss the point that kids have raced in this race for DECADES with no problems and it is only recently that a rule has been made to exclude this class of people. On top of that, this new rule has never been enforced until now, and it was only directed towards one team because the parents (not the actual racers) made the organizers mad. We only ask for fairness, and a stop to the bullshit.
I still think they don’t want kids at their mini-Burning Man drunken campfire orgies at Crab Park, the real reason for the rule.
So Duane, do you actually believe that a drunk adult steering a human-powered machine is equivalent to a minor pedaling, with a sober adult steering? Man, you’re breathing too many of your paint fumes.
Rick, your heart’s in the right place but there’s nothing to be gained by attacking them. It’s enough to inform them (and everyone else reading) of the truth behind the events. Racer Number Five is digging his/her own grave. Lets be civil and let them.
And Duane raises a few valid points. Racing is potentially dangerous, and the rules do change. There does need to be oversight, both in terms of making sure things don’t get too lax and to make sure that restrictions don’t become arbitrary and based on fear or discrimination.
He’s a reasonable guy. I’m sure he’ll concede that the laws and policies that have been in effect for the last decade have been more than enough to ensure the safety of the racers. The requirements for the permits and the insurance have not changed, so there’s no reason to start
excluding people.
He might be on the other side of the argument right now, but he’s not one of the ones attacking people or making false accusations. He doesn’t deserve your venom.
Thank you Jasper. I think that whatever rules are implemented for the race are what we should adhere by. That’s all. If people want to change the rules for letting younger people race then they should proceed in the right way to change those rules…and not one week before the event. I believe that the age should be 16 with an adult or 18 years or over. I know these aren’t just bicycles cause I’ve even had close calls on my sculpture (a two thousand pound rolling deathtrap with all the riders on) and I’ve always wondered what would happen if I were a 14 or 15 year old at the helm. I’m not sure they could deal with it. We’re driving on roads where there are cars flying by and I just think there needs to be an understanding and a little experience of the laws of the road. I also have worried about kids under the age of 16 being around some of the partying and debauchery that goes along with this event especially at the camp out. Not orgy’s and Burning Man. (Such an old man response.) I don’t like the big ultra fire thing they do out there now and wish we could go back to small campfires in small campsites where people could cruise around, visit and tell stories of the race. maybe have some music and not just the loud drumming. The way they run the fire now is not something I’m that big on to tell you the truth. Sure I go to burning man, but I don’t want this event to turn into Burning man. Ya see. people like Rick spew there negative jealous retorts out onto the planet without even knowing where a person stands on an issue. It’s very trite. By the way Rick, I love all the sculptures you’ve built over the years. Hard work huh? The old campouts from the 70’s and 80’s were much more crazy than these days. Fights, drunken pissed off brawls and more. And Rick spouts off that I hate kids. wow…. I think I try to try watch out for kids. oh well. I spend thirty years pouring my heart and hard working hours into an event that I care about and Rick spouts off that I’m an egotist. Because I get publicity? That’s what comes with the territory when you actually do something in public life that people care about Rick. It’s called human interest and yes they report about that kind of stuff. Sorry. He reminds me of the people who loved Pearl Jam and went to all their concerts and bought all of their albums and help make them successful….and then say that the band “Sold out”. Loyalty to a petrified opinion never once broke a chain or freed a human soul Rick.
I disagree Duane. There have been kids involved in the race thirty years. No child has ever been hurt. To my knowledge there’s never been anyone seriously injured in the race. Cuts and bruises aside, there’s no legal grounds to limit the ages. As long as the kinetic race is legally recognized as a bike race, the only entrance requirements are those set by the laws regarding bicycles. To deny anyone the ability to enter, for any reason, is discrimination.
As I said before, the law, the wishes of the owner (and the founder before him), past precedent and public opinion all are in favor of letting minors race. There is absolutely no grounds on which to deny them.
All it comes down to is parental consent. Do you really think you should be able to make decisions about the safety of other people’s kids when every measure of of what is safe or right is against you?
So do you think a four or five year old child should pilot a kinetic sculpture on our highways during memorial Day Weekend? If not…Then you must hate babies according to this logic. And yes, I personally know one person who lost part of their thumb in a chain drive on one of Hobart’s machines, I also know a person who was 16 years old grab a side of his sculpture going down dead man’s drop and sliced so far thru his hand, the whole team quit the race and the family attended to him in the hospital. anyway…whatever…have fun…
It’s up to the parents. I seriously doubt any parent would let a five year old pilot a sculpture, but the Barnacle rules cover having them on board. This year a very young child went down dead man’s drop on the machine their father was piloting. I won’t say that I think it was a great idea, but I do think it’s the parent’s decision and I wouldn’t presume to tell them not to. Nobody was hurt. No harm, no foul.
Actually, the barnacle rule states that the person needs to be at least 12 years old to ride as a barnacle. But that does bring up a good point. It doesn’t seem to me that it would be inherently more dangerous to pedal a sculpture than to ride on one. Maybe a compromise for the age rule could be that you need to be at least 12 years old to ride as a barnacle or pedal a sculpture, 16 to steer one off the public roads, and 18 to steer a sculpture on the public roads. I would think that this would take care of many of the safety issues that the folks running the race are concerned about.
Wow, a bunch of parents encouraging insurance companies to deny not only their own children, but everybody’s children the same consensual freedoms we all had as children. What great thinking. Really sets an example for these kids to follow, really encourages independence.
Dumbfounded-
I’m not sure how anyone is encouraging insurance companies to do anything more or less than they are already. The insurance for the race only covers public liability and alcohol. The insurance providers aren’t concerned with anything else, including the age of any of the riders. I’m confused what you think would cause them to change their policies in any way that would take away the consensual freedoms you mentioned. Would you mind clarifying your position?
I’m afraid there is, Jasper, if sometime over the last few years kids have lost the ability to have an equally good time in the race. Sensible people bowing down to fear of corporate extortion. It’s a very bad example of how to run things, not only demonstrated to children but in this case even directed at them in prejudice.
Not the “play at your own risk” common sense we’re used to from our neighbors, or that we had growing up ourselves.
Thanks for clarifying. Actually, I completely agree with you. Things are getting more and more regulated and less and less fun because of unfounded fears and a lawsuit-happy society. It’s sad.
do you know if the knee high puppet theatre finished the race? or even made it to the water crossing?
He was at the plaza and at the finish line, but I never saw him anywhere else along the course.
Wow