Hi interesting points raised in this discussion. even with the views expressed I am inclined to still stick with the basic premiss, the robot should be able to move in a controlled manner (I don't consider even with my bad driving skills a figure of eight to be excessive), and ideally the weapon should be operating as designed at the start of the fight.

Hi Jamie
With regard to the repair time I sympathise with your situation, but I don't think this is a good enough reason to dismiss the first point.
The only practical solution I can see would be for there to be a minimum time between fights for charging and repair enshrined in the rules, I would think 30-45 minutes.
Also I am glad you won with just one drive wheel, but again I don't think you would disagree with me the rules should not be shaped around the occasional fluke!