What not to do!!!!!

[grant_ploughbot]

OK I just saw this earlier today. And let me say its a little F*&%ed.

Nobody from Australia is attending this event as we are hosting our Nationals competition in a separate state otherwise I hope someone would have said something to the organisers.

Oh and here is a video which makes it look worse.


I really want to know what happened here as initially we were in talks with EB to do the event for our nationals competition however after a few months they dropped off talks and then announced Robot Wars was Coming for the First Time from the UK. *sigh*

I don't really care too much as we are more interested in the compeition not the show which is always difficult to balance at these sorts of events. However I really want to know what the hell happened with the arena.

What I am guessing happened was that EB said they would make the arena (something which they promised us) then the guys showed up there and this is what they got. Not sure if this is likely or not but I really want an explanation. As one person getting hurt is the difference between us never being able to run a public event ever again and this is just bullshit.

For anyone who is interested in what a real Australian Feather only arena looks like.
https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...58075653_n.jpg
Notice the 6mm polycarb and steel......
I want it to be known that we would never run Heavies in a mesh cage in front of the public.

That ends my rant.

Steve

It's probably quite simple really as to why they went with Jonno. If your given the option of 2 clients and one brands themselves as the "official TV show" then that's what they're going to go for. The fact is that other than some logos it's just RR.
They most likely had a deal to build the arena, but it's their duty to make multiple trips to go and see the arena designs and building throughout the process to make sure well in advance that there is a safe arena being produced, and if not call the show off. It's irresponsible not just because their insurances almost certainly won't cover anything, but with the robot wars brand being used we all fall under that image and so it has far greater effects on other organisers around the world to if they were just called roaming Robots.
I think it's about due for another FRA meeting.

[psychostorm]

but it's their duty to make multiple trips to go and see the arena designs and building throughout the process to make sure well in advance that there is a safe arena being produced, and if not call the show off. It's irresponsible not just because their insurances almost certainly won't cover anything,

Multiple trips? to Australia? Irresponsible as it may be, if Jonno has a contract that states his company has no liability for the audience in the event of debris. - he doesn't have to cancel squat. Not legally his problem.

I know you are more of a moral man than that, Grant but you don't have the RW rights holders on your back either.

but with the robot wars brand being used we all fall under that image and so it has far greater effects on other organisers around the world to if they were just called roaming Robots. I think it's about due for another FRA meeting.

I stressed the importance of the arena in my contact with them but they obviously completely ignored that when they switched to RR. Is there anyway to get in contact with EO as I would like some sort of explanation as its the rest of us here in Aus which are going to get screwed if there is/was an incident.

You could well ask for an FRA meeting at Gloucester but doesn't mean Jonno has to stick around for it. The fact that the public associates Robot Combat with Robot Wars isn't his technically concern either. Which means he can play footloose and fancy free with impunity, the public perception of your events.