2008 UK championships

**leorcc** · 22nd January 2008, 18:08

I agree with Adrian on that. But there are more things than money when it concerns making an arena class 2.

Tim mentioned the DRG arena, which is now class 2, but in order to fit on the truck for transport it is quite small for heavies (6m x 6m). We can expand to 6m x 9m but then we need to drive twice. Not to mention it is much more labour intensive to set up and break down. You dont want to do that for a 1 day event.

**rob_grimm** · 22nd January 2008, 18:11

John

You make some good points I dont think anyone would expect you to loose money on an event. Although I think things like prize money and accomodation are nice to haves rather than necessities.
Does the FRA do anything to try and get funding for the UK Champs or is it purely down to the event organiser? I imagine thigs would be easier if there was a sponsor on board! Failing that I wouldnt be totally against the idea of paying an entrance fee.
Although it may not get said very much but we do appreciate all the work you and the other event organisers put in to the events.

Rob
http://www.iron-awe.co.uk www.iron-awe.co.uk

**leorcc** · 22nd January 2008, 18:13

Mantis has had a firm shakedown last weekend to see if it is ready for a demo event coming this weekend.

We discovered a problem with the right motor, so we are going to replace that one with a new one. We also welded some extra bracing on the arm so it should be able to lift more without bending. After the demo we will look at adding armour, especially on top for axes.

Apart from that, the weapon and drive is brilliant so we are not changing anything there aprt from the motor swap.

**mightymouse** · 22nd January 2008, 18:22

I think we have it about right at the moment - in the past roboteers expected free accomodation, travel expenses and appearance money - and we got it.

The present EOs cannot afford to do it, maybe that is why numbers have dwindled and only the die-hards are left. I for one would like it to return, but know it just wont happen, until maybe television gets interested again. btw, you only got Â£100 appearance fee from Mentorn from series5 onwards, and I never got accomodation or petrol money as I lived nearer the venue than the hotel. You had to win the heat final to get any more cash, so you were still out of pocket even if you did well, what with your building costs.

The point I am making is I am quite happy to pay my travelling costs, I get to play safely with my toys, the EOs get an event, if they make some cash then they will do another. If they lose money then they pack it in.

Trev

**john** · 22nd January 2008, 19:19

adrian id love to see a spinner arena but i think it would be a waste of money and the eos wouldnt be able to afford one. if there was enough money in it then there would def be one

we need tv to get an arena of that standard or a loaded fan or a nice sponsor - the air show is a great place to advertise but jonno knows that

its all about april tho and 2009 is going to be an amazing year Â£Â£Â£

leo what robot you bringing? a nice mario ram?

**team_mayhem** · 22nd January 2008, 19:27

why is 2009 going to be amazing

**john** · 22nd January 2008, 19:28

im gonna win the lottery this year and donate all the money to the EO who will make sure its back on TV and i make more cash then i gave in

sounds a good plan dont it

**james...venom** · 22nd January 2008, 19:41

our grade 2 feather arena is expencive enough and not far off the weight of the heavy arenas around. i dont think its about cost so much as weight of the entire thing and haveing to set up.

**grant_ploughbot** · 22nd January 2008, 19:50

Just think, a heavyweight version of ours (even look at the RFL arena) takes an entire day, sometimes 2 before the event to set-up. that includes teams of people taking shifts so work is constant. To take this arena to an event it takes an articulated lorry, and 2 big forklift trucks to be taken to the venue.
The entire roofing for a full polycarb roof alone would weigh more than most arenas alone.
Then with full combat robots the floor neds replacing alot more often.
Even with featherweights our kickplates need big chunks welding back up, and thanks to hornet new polycarbonate sheets in. This all costs a lot of money to do every event.

The money made from an event isnt worth the effort put into it, which is why its good that all the event organisers are active roboteers so that we all still have the drive to do it