im not bothered what teams spend on machines, when i went to my first event, i saw all these fancy chargers, fans to cool batteries etc....take captain scarlet, prodigy or block of wood for example,i know their only feathers but finishing 2nd,3rd and 4th, in the uk champs. prodigy cost pennies, so i guess did block of wood, and then captain scarlet which is sold in kit form finishing 2nd this year and winning last year. it goes to show that you dont need to spend thousands to do well. i almost enjoyed the fact i could beat machines so well engineered/impressive looking. if i was so concerned about £3000 titanium jaws or thousands of pound storms then i wouldnt enter the event, but surely beating them is a good feeling being on a budget? i dont see nothing wrong with telling the audiance that you spend thousands as it shows your dedicated and serious about the sport your in, BUT it would be nice to say that you can build a cheap robot that can do well also, and maybe give examples at the same time. Im glad this sport isnt like football or F1, where its a case of who has the most money wins, as where would it leave us who dont have as much to spend. you can watch a grand prix, first race of the season and know who will be in the top 4, at least with this sport you have no idea who will finish where, which gives me an incentive to know it could be me and anyone has a chance.

also i have no idea regarding the bickering and what not, between event organisers, but all i do know if it wasnt for people like xfm,robochallenge, rr etc etc.... i wouldnt have anywhere to compete. i see things i dont agree with but without Andy Kane, the fra, this forum etc... i wouldnt be building robots

(Message edited by ady on August 10, 2007)