JUDGING
Judging and awards are a big part of the fun.
On Saturday morning, teams run a gauntlet of Art and Engineering judges and perform their required team song.
Engineering **must LEO to win**
Behind every wacky work of rolling art is serious ingenuity! Our Engineering Judges are on the lookout for brains and brawn—evaluating how well your sculpture functions across land, sand, mud, and water. What they’re looking for: Clever solutions to course challenges; Smart use of materials; Solid, durable construction; Creative mechanisms and moving parts; Overall reliability under pressure. Here are the categories judged: Fit & Finish; Ergonomics; Materials; Art of Engineering; Brakes; Steering; Course Transitions; Capability; Gearing; Design; and Gee Whiz Factor.
Artistry
Artistry is a major part of what makes the Graand Kinetic Challenge so unforgettable! Our Art Judges will evaluate each sculpture during Saturday morning judging, just before the race begins. Teams are encouraged to be bold, be clever, and above all, to have FUN with their art. Silly is celebrated. Strange is welcome. And creative chaos is kinetic gold. Here are the categories judged: Design; Craftsmanship; Imagination; Color; Texture; Costumes; and Gee Whiz Factor.
Pageantry
Pageantry is where kinetic brilliance meets pure, joyful performance—and we’re here for the drama, the dancing, and the delightful nonsense! Teams will be judged on how well they entertain the crowd (and judges) throughout the weekend—starting with the 11:00 AM Stage Show on Saturday and continuing across the entire race course. Pay attention to the team's song (or chant) which should include the words “da Vinci,” “kinetic,” and “Corvallis.” Here are the categories judged: Stage Show; Song; Playing the Sands; Mud Madness; and Play It Again, Sam.
Timing **must LEO to win**
In the Graand Kinetic Challenge, speed isn’t everything—but it definitely counts. Teams are timed from the start to the end of the course, with penalties tacked on for mischief, missteps, and muddy mayhem (yes, there’s a penalty for taking too long in the bog!). But here’s the twist: every Rumble Seat passenger earns a half-hour time bonus, because teamwork makes the kinetic dream work! The fastest team gets 10 points, the slowest gets 1, and everyone else falls somewhere in between—but only if they complete every section using 100% human power.
Mud? Teams have 15 minutes before it’s penalty time. Sand? Just 10 minutes before the judges bring the hammer down—and if they’re too slow, they lose the coveted LEO. Good news, though: racers can always enlist you, the spectator, to help push, pull, or cheer them across the line!
And on the river? The fastest water time—from splash-in to paddle-out—earns the legendary Dan Monk Award.
Just remember: bragging rights come with blisters, splashes, and maybe a little sand in your teeth. For the Glory!
What’s at Stake? GLORY, of course!
Kinetic racers don’t just compete for trophies—they race For the Glory! Sure, prizes are nice (and yes, we give those too), but the real reward is surviving mud, sand, water, and land with style, spirit, and maybe your wheels still attached. Teams are judged in Time (which is also used as a tie-breaker, with the faster team getting the edge), Engineering, Artistry, and Pageantry—and the most glorious of all? That’s the team that shines in every category and takes home the GRAAND CHAMPION PRIZE But don’t worry, glory is generous: teams can win in individual categories too, or nab special awards for teddy bears, crowd-favorite bribes, that special Gee Whiz factor, and more. Whether you roll in polished chrome or duct tape dreams, everyone has a shot at kinetic greatness!
All prizes will be awarded (if necessary a team will get more than one prize). Prizes subject to change without notice.
GRAAND CHAMPION PRIZE $400
This is the team that has the best combination of engineering design, artistic design, time, course completion, and spirit. In other words, the top total score in Engineering, Artistry, Pageantry, and Time, plus tie-breaking based on time.
** YOU MUST LEO TO WIN **
SPONSORED BY PRAx (Patrica Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts)
50 MILE RADIUS - LOCAL Prize value $200
This is the team from a 50 Mile radius of Corvallis with the top total score in Engineering, Artistry, Pageantry, and Time, plus tie breaking based on time. If the winner has already won the Graand Champion prize, then this prize will be awarded to the next best local team. Local is defined to mean that the majority of team members who designed, constructed, and rode the machine live within a 50-mile radius of downtown Corvallis, OR.
Sponsored by Griffo Brothers
THEY CAME FROM OUT OF TOWN Prize $200
This is the team from outside a 50 Mile radius of Corvallis that has the top total score in Engineering, Artistry, Pageantry and Time, plus tie breaking based on time. If the winner has already won the Graand Champion prize, then this prize will be awarded to the next best team. The majority of team members who designed, constructed, and rode the machine must live outside of a 50-mile radius of downtown Corvallis, OR.
Sponsored by Squirrels Tavern
1st PLACE ENGINEERING Prize $150
This is the team with the top Engineering score, if they have already won the Graand Champion Prize, they get the title but no cash. ** YOU MUST LEO TO WIN **
Sponsored by Odd Fellows Barnum Lodge #7
1st PLACE ARTISTRY Prize $150
These are the teams with the top 2 Artistry scores, if they have already won Graand or Local Champion, they get the title but no cash.
Sponsored by The Arts Center
1st PLACE TIME Prize $150
This is the team with the top Time score, if they have already won the Graand Champion Prize, they get the title but no cash. ** YOU MUST LEO TO WIN **
Sponsored by
1st PLACE PAGEANTRY Prize $150
This is the team with the top Pageantry score, if they have already won the Graand Champion Prize, they get the title but no cash
Sponsored by Odd Fellows Barnum Lodge #7
JUDGES’ FAVORITE $50
Every judge gets one vote each for their four top personal favorite teams, based on whatever criteria each individual judge chooses to use. The team with the most votes win.
RACERS’ FAVORITE $50
Every pilot and official pit crew gets one vote each for their four top favorite teams. The team with the most votes win.
FANS’ FAVORITE $50
This will be awarded to the team selected by a “Spectators’ Vote.” Spectators will decide on their favorite Sculptures by means of a cunning and thoroughly democratic voting method.
Sponsored by ReMarkable Arts/Conundrum House
WIZAARD’S CHOICE Prize: $100
This one is awarded at the whim of the Graand Wizaard, Raan Young.
Sponsored by Graand Visions Ink
GODDESS JEN-O’s Fave Prize: $100
Only the Goddess knows how you qualify.
Sponsored by Goddess Jen-O
POOH BAH’s CHOICE Prize: Fistful of gold coins ($100)
You’ll just have to ask the Grand Pooh Bah. It’s a secret…
Sponsored by John Sechrest
KING OF KLUCK Prize: $100
This will be awarded to the team with the most King of Kluck eager-beaver points.
Sponsored by Mark Schurman
DAN MONK AWARD Prize: $100
Awarded to the fastest time on the water on Sunday.
Sponsored by The Lutefisk Organization in memory of Dan Monk
CUDDLY TEDDY BEAR Prize: $42.17
Award determined by the Teddy Bear Judge(s), who look for fit with ART theme, costuming, PFD, and they may wonder if you’ve taken great care to cuddle your Teddy Bear.
Sponsored by The Toy Factory
BEST SONG Prize $50
Impress the Judges with your PAG song during your Pageantry Performance, or whenever requested!
Sponsored by The Troubadour Music Center
HAMMY AWARD: special prize and bacon, baby!
This delectable one will be awarded to the team with the clearest 'signal' to the hams.
Sponsored by Anthony Odenthal & BCARES
BEST BRIBE: Bag O Goodies
Judges love bribes! So do the crowds. Bring your best deal-sweeteners and see what happens!
PRIZES
Some of the rules are of special note to spectators. Sculptures must carry the following equipment at all times during the Race:
A flag, prominently waving in the breeze at all times, which symbolizes an important aspect of the team's philosophy of life, the universe, and everything.
One copy of the final and official da Vinci Days Graand Kinetic Challenge Rules in a water tight container.
A whistle for every pilot while on the water for safety--as required by the State of Oregon.A team song/chant demonstrating cunning rhyming technique, utilizing the team name and the words da Vinci, kinetic and Corvallis, to be performed on demand by the Judges.
A thematically appropriate, comforting, and/or cuddly stuffed animal, preferably bear-ish and of fabric composition.
RULES
The most important rule to keep in mind is that
the real point of this race is for everyone to have fun.
Friendly competition is encouraged, but don’t let the value of the prizes entice you into forgetting the “friendly” part. The judges can and will banish anyone who falls into this trap.
Violation of a rule without a penalty will receive a 15-minute addition of time.
Some of the rules are of special note to spectators. Coordinating with the race's yearly theme is not a rule, mearly a fantastic suggestion (if I do says so myself). The RULE of all Kinetic Sculpture Races is to HAVE FUN! As a spectator, do your best to hoot & holla, laugh & clap and cheer the teams to Glory! Kinetic Sculptures must carry the following equipment at all times during the Race:
1. A flag, prominently waving in the breeze at all times, which symbolizes an important aspect of the team's philosophy of life, the universe, and everything.
2. One copy of the final and official da Vinci Days Graand Kinetic Challenge Rules in a water tight container. (You can get 'em here)
3. A whistle for every pilot while on the water for safety--as required by the State of Oregon.
4. A team song/chant demonstrating cunning rhyming technique, utilizing the team name and the words da Vinci, kinetic and Corvallis, to be performed on demand by the Judges.
5. A thematically appropriate, comforting, and/or cuddly stuffed animal, preferably bear-ish and of fabric composition.
