I didn't quite like the off-road episode, mostly because the machines that were built seemed a bit simple [relatively speaking] and exactly what would be expected for the challenge.

However, I thought the boats episode was awesome. Everything seemed to lead up to the displacement-boat being fast out of the start but slowing down later, but I was very surprised how fast it went. The medics obviously would have won had their machine not capsized. However, I dont understand why they didn't just cut their one pontoon into two - it seemed to me that even the smaller pontoon-halves would have given more stability than one unbalancing pontoon hanging off of the side. They could have gotten creative with how they did it, perhaps a half of an oil drum and the half of the big pink thing on each side?

However Art Attack definately made up for their slowness with extreme buoyancy - what was that, 8 people at a time? Jeez.

-- Sivart LLewhtarg (sivart@home.com), January 11, 2001

Answers

The boat was fine with one pontoon. They should've just put the seat for the castaways on their stabilizing pontoon. The wait of the passenger wouldn't sink it, and I doubt it would've picked up about 200lbs. That's approximate weight of the castaway and his seat.

-- Tyson Fortowsky (biker_tyboy@haotmail.com), January 11, 2001.

This stupid brain of mine meant to say "weight of the castaway", not, "wait of the castaway." Sorry for the inconvenience I'm having myself beaten for this.

-- Tyson Fortowsky (Biker_tyboy@hotmail.com), January 11, 2001.

The other thing is, they apparently had a healthy supply of oil drums. One on each side should have done the trick. The on-boat footage of the capsize was amazing though, and that episode has been the highlight of the US series so far.

I'm also sorry to see that DAMMAGE didn't advance. I really liked their theatrical robots - brings back images of fluorescent tube lauching killing machines I once saw footage of. Come to think of it, that was a California group as well. Hmmmm....

-- Chris Rake (car@technologist.com), January 11, 2001.

I was very impressed with the dune buggy episode. The way they just layed that whole bike frame and engine on there was a good idea, and both cars held up really well. I'm surprised we didn't see more speed out of them though.

And on the boat episode i was very impressed with both boats as well. The pontoon boat was so much faster and manuverable than i though it would be. And the running board idea was clever. The sheer bouyany of the duck boat was impressed as well.

-- Doug Wenz (howser03@hotmail.com), January 11, 2001.

As i am from New mexico and so are the DAMMAGE, i was really pushing for them. When i first saw their displacement boat, i thought it would to terrible, iwas surprised at how fast it went. GOOD JOB DAMMAGE

-- kevin (ryelliott@onebox.com), January 11, 2001.

DAMMAGE built the VW/Oldsmobile V8 Dune Buggy in the off-road episode. Art-Attack, I bleive, built the oildrum-displacement boat int he boat ep.

I personaly loved the idea of sticking that old GM Olds V8 into a VW Bug... had it not been for it stalling i'm sure they would have won, it didn't look good for the other team building a vechile from scratch using a Honda Motorbike engine as their powerplant.

On the boat episode I was figuring the displacement boat wouldn't make it because they never mentioned how they would make the bow section cut through the water... and then I saw the airplane seat mounted to it... and just figured it would sink like a rock with that, and the Land Rover engine in it... also figured the single outrigger wouldn't have done them much good either.

-- Brian Straight (Writer447@aol.com), January 11, 2001.

I really enjoyed the boat race. My question is...what was the role of the woman (June?) in ART ATTACK's group? All we saw was her walking around looking for parts, holding parts while being welded, and flirting to "Steal" parts from the other team. I think women have just as much right to be on this show, but I would like to see their intelligents showed off and not their "womanly" ways...

-- Chris Chambers (jchamber@cox-internet.com), January 11, 2001.

It's funny how much stuff they don't put in. We had such a blast with the Metal Medics and that was what the producers picked up on. The flirting to get parts. June was the best scavenger a team could want but also did alot of building which was left on the cutting room floor. She knows how to weld and can build alot of stuff. We have all worked together for 20 years building Kinetic contraptions and learning all kinds of stuff together. The race>>>> Before the boat race, I told Ken,(our boat pilot) to not follow the triangle shaped course. Swing wide and make a giant circle out of the course instead of trying to cut the corner sharp. I had a feeling that the Metal Medics might flip if they turned too sharp. The outrigger that they used was made out of heavy PVC pipe and probably couldn't have held up a passenger without submerging below the water line. They were worried that the rotation of the engine would cause them to flip on the turn as they let off the gas. Hats off to that team. We've become great freinds. As an extra bonus we got to see Alex do a great rendition of Elvis at a pub in Hammersmith that we took over that evening.... I'll never forget that party with the production crew and the Metal medics!

-- Duane Flatmo, Art Attack (flatmo@humboldt1.com), January 11, 2001.

Hi Chris Chambers! I'm working really hard on a website right now. I was hoping to not have to address someone questioning my ability, but darn it, you are just going to have to wait till I can list EVERYTHING. My only answer is, my job was the same as all the other teams. Have fun, get out there, find it. I did, I deserved to be there, you have no idea how much. My link for the inspection of all will be up in the next couple days. By the way, Ken and I (my boyfriend of 15 years, Beetle, of Art Attack) PEDDLED 2,160 lbs. acrossed the US, OVER the Rockies from Ferndale Ca. to St.Augestine Florida, 4,012 miles, it took us 28 months. NO one does my welding for me on ANY of my sculptures. Go through my site, then ask me questions. I ALWAYS wear makeup and rhinestones, I do my own work, the only body parts I've found that I need are my hands and my eyes to weld. I've just found a way to make it more interesting for people to watch. There is a huge list of tv and newspapers to help make it more comfortable, just look at what I build. Remember, all of the Tig welding on the 6 1/2ton sculpture for the Calistoga Mineral Water Co. was done by me, check it out under Calistoga Truck. My Brass shoe sculptures start at $1,000. My 11 1/2 ft tall Horse won the Overall Art Award at the World Championship Kinetic Sculpture Race and took the Over- All Champion and 1st place ART at the Ventura Ca.Kinetic Race(ALL TIMES PEDDLED BY WOMEN) yes, I built the machine, the 1st woman. I was sponcered by Mumm Cuvee' . I LOVE it when people underestimate me...... just PLEASE tell me if I'm wearing makeup in places that I wouldn't normally wear it. It's ok to look good, even in a junkyard.

Please understand that I write this pleased that you watched and asked. Talk to me later,

June Moxon Art Attack Welder Woman Shoe Lady

-- June Moxon, Art Attack (june-ken@humboldt1.com), January 12, 2001.

June, I thought you were great on the show I loved your hug the enemy while you rob them blind technique. LOL I would have given you anything too.;)I would love to see an all woman team . A battle of the sexes show would really bring in the ratings. Good luck on the next show! Although it probably already been filmed. So who won ? I won't tell. LOL

-- Rick Lawrence (hoodoo2@povn.com), January 12, 2001.