A lot of the guys that post on this forum are competent modellers. So, to them, improving their skills might not be enough incentive to take part in the challenge. How about some kind of award system, like how other forums have it, where they get a "speed modelling win counter" under their name, or in their signature, or whatever?
How about a leader board of some description, too? Or a high score table, and make it into a game itself?
Another added incentive for winning might be that they get to pick the object everyone has to model for the next challenge. It's not like they have to pick polycounts and texture sizes, etc. The object could then be okayed by Andrei, and then it starts again for another week.
Another idea I had was having one of these per week. I'm not sure how frequent we have them atm, so you can ignore this suggestion if I'm repeating. I think 5 days for the challenge to be open and 2 days to judge should be more than enough?
Sorry if I've repeated anything anyone else has posted already
I only skimmed over the other posts.
Even though my attempt was over the 1 hour mark, I really enjoyed it. I hope you have more environment / building challenges in the future
Nice work Andrei!
G