Port Townsend: They come, they see, they hope to konquer Kinetic Skulpture Race

PORT TOWNSEND — A giant toilet, a big chili pepper, a smoking dragon and butterfly will go for the glory — and trophies made of hubcaps — in the running of the 20th annual Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Skulpture Race on Sunday.

The third star in the triple crown of kinetic sculpture racing, the Port Townsend event features home-made, self-powered vehicles competing on land and water, slogging through mud and sand for the coveted “Mediocrity Award” for coming in dead middle.

Spectators will get a chance to preview the field Saturday at noon when the pre-parade to the post begins on Water Street. The sobriety test, the brake test and the water test take place after the parade.

This year, racers will be facing the toughest course ever.

“I looked at the sand. The sand is ugly,” said Charlie Bodony, a local racer. “I looked at the bog. I understand life jackets are going to be required this year.”

The berm at the end of the bog also looks formidable, Bodony said.

More than 18 teams from Canada, California Washington and Oregon have signed up for the race, according to Janet Emery. race coordinator, with local entries expected to bump up the numbers into the 20s.

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The rest of the story appears in the Friday/Saturday Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.

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