Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race
2011 Race Report: Am-ish sin Caballo

Am-ish sin Caballo
noun
Am-ish (like the Amish)
sin caballo (without horse)

This traditional entry replaced horses with pilots Phillip Smith and Melissa Koerner of Arbutus and Catonsville. The actual wooden buggy wheels are embellished with paddles for the water portion of the race, and large outrigger pontoons provided buoyancy.

The buggy wheels were no match for the mud, and immediately sank. This hand-cranking technique had been very successful at the water exit—and is perfectly legal under all race rules as the pilot does not leave the scultpture. However, hand cranking proved fruitless in the mud, so they resorted to pushing and sacrificed their hoped-for ACE award.

However, their simple design held together through the race and for their innovative success with antique technology they received the Engineering Award.