Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race |
| Next Page > |
|
Were you in the race? Please contact Tom Jones if you have anything to add or update about your team, or would like high-res team photos. |
| To See the Next Lowell Race Head straight to the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race website! |
| For the Next Baltimore Race To get an email reminder 1 month before the race on Saturday 1 May 2027, and when the 2027 Spectator’s Guide is available, join the Spectator Mailing List! |
Saturday 19 September 2026
The weather was perfect for the 9th Kinetic Sculpture Race in Lowell, Massachusetts. Exciting things happened, including a tacoed drive wheel and a large wheel that fell off altogether. The ACE champion had a record 7 pilots and 14-wheel drive, one team resoundingly demonstrated what happens when you don’t float test, and the day was utterly saturated with ingenuity and perseverance.
Our 3 all-terrain photographers followed the race from start to finish, taking 6,445 photos. The best 190 are in this report.
We love visiting Lowell, a wonderful city of people who make and do things, a combination of small-city friendliness, kinetic optimism, and New England practicality.
Click the “Next Page >” button to go to the next team, or select team listed at the bottom of the page.
ACE Champion: Stampede
 |
Stampede returned and won 2026 ACE Champion. Last year they started with 5 pilots (dropping to 3); this year they expanded to 7 pilots the whole way. It’s from the Tewksbury/Lowell Makes (Makerspace). Last year’s monochrome Holstein pattern became purple cow flower power. They also won Pilots’ Choice, and of course an ACE. |
|
 |
With very low gears and all but one of their fifteen wheels providing power, they comparatively sped through mud in the Donahue Pit of Peril. Their wheels cleverly had mountain bike tires for pavement with inset half-barrels bearing wood treads that automatically applied to less firm surfaces including mud, water, and the beach landing. |
|
 |
It’s easy to distinguish washed from unwashed drums. Teams are provided hoses to wash down. |
|
 |
The canopy provided shade to pilots, high enough that you can see their faces in photos. |
|
 |
A beautiful banner hung above the waterfront stage. Stampede was so fast they arrived at the Family Fun Zone before proceedings got under way. |
|
 |
Stampede and Mooseum Heist were neck-and-neck for fastest vehicle. On the water, the front pilot didn’t even pedal, but Heist was nonetheless a bit faster and passed Stampede. |
|
 |
The treaded drums provided plenty of propulsion, so paddles weren’t really needed. |
|
 |
The train of 7 independently-powered 2-wheel drive segments worked well at the water exit, which is generally one of the most challenging parts of the race. ACE rules require pilots propel their vehicle until it is entirely out of the water, then the rest of the beach is a legal push zone. |
|
 |
Check out those lush paddle holsters. |
|
 |
They were fast enough to beat our photographer to the finish line. |
|
 |
Here’s the team celebrating their beautiful transparent Pilots’ Choice trophy. |
|
 |
And their ACE Grand Champion trophy. |
|
 |
||
 |
Here’s the technical spec they posted at the start; zoom in for detail. |
|
|
All Pages At Once (huge!) |
Next Page > |