Ferndale Foto Finishes

Photos: AG

Description of Dragonass courtesy its creator: 

ART: Dragonass is a 50 foot sea serpent, designed and constructed by Marilyn Kurka. His head is over 6 foot long and is constructed with 9 gauge wire, plaster caste to shape, with 1000’s of white bed sheet triangulars for the scales and affixed with exterior glue. The overlay paint and sealant is all hand brushed. He has a jaw that opens, smoke that blows through its nostrils and LEDs that light up his throat and glass eyes. His body is made to take apart for long travel and to be either a 40 foot or 50 foot dragon. It is made up of hulu hoops, pvc, vinyl and various fabrics sewn to shine. The LED light show continues down the length of its body with a programmable pattern by Keith Rasmussen.

ENGINEERING: The plans are ACE, LEO and Master sculptures with a great history of awards for engineering and speed. A few years back, two were put together and successfully Leo’d in Corvallis. This is the first time, 4 plans have been connected for a race. The hitch system was designed and built by Veg and Chris and includes 3 ball joints per hitch to allow for articulation. Then length is such that the trailing sculpture follows the leading sculptures tracks. Three plans also have a new hydrolic brake systems.

OTHER: The length of the four plans hooked together is 40 feet with the tail adding another 10 feet. The plans are 5 foot wide, 8 foot long tricycles, that individually weight 280 lbs fully race loaded without pilots. The original designers and builders are Veg and Chris. Many builders helped construct, improve and repair the subsequent plans.