2004 Pennsylvania Robot Challenge (PARC)

[camtunkpa]

Registration for PARC VII has officially opened....(I'm a little late on this post) :ahh:

Where: Tunkhannock Area High School
When: May 8th
Entrance Fee: $250
Agenda: TBA
Max. Teams: 30

This is gonna be our best PARC yet we are gonna have a tough competition as always, but there should be some special things going on....as the time gets nearer I'll let the cat outta the bag.

Register quick : http://www.tahsroboticsteam.org/PARC/

These teams have already registered:

11
103
175
176
222
225
284
341
365
484
487
1403

We hope to see all our regular teams along with some teams from the west! (We made it to IRI lets see some teams come east) :D

[camtunkpa]

Slots are filling fast for PARC we are now up to 20 teams and only 10 more open slots. We're waiting on some veteran teams to sign up...grab your spots ASAP. The list as of today is:

11, 19, 84, 103, 134, 175, 176, 222, 225, 284, 341, 365, 484, 487, 522, 555, 639, 1143, 1279, 1403

remember, once the slots are full you will be placed on a waiting list. Don't miss your chance to compete!

Cliff
222 Alum.

[Yan Wang]

Team 639 looks forward to a great time at PARC again. We'll be using the practice and qualifying to begin training new drivers.

[henryBsick]

Slots are filling fast for PARC we are now up to 20 teams and only 10 more open slots. We're waiting on some veteran teams to sign up...grab your spots ASAP. The list as of today is:

11, 19, 84, 103, 134, 175, 176, 222, 225, 284, 341, 365, 484, 487, 522, 555, 639, 1143, 1279, 1403

remember, once the slots are full you will be placed on a waiting list. Don't miss your chance to compete!

Cliff
222 Alum.

Add 891 to that list. They are going quick as you can see. Hurry and sign up. It will be a blast!!!

[camtunkpa]

303 is the latest to sign up 8 more slots

[camtunkpa]

433 and 1071 have just registered. that leaves 6 slots

[Dave_222]

/me Scratches chin.............................

*jedi hand thinggy*

You WILL come to parc

*jedi hand thinggy*

[cbudrecki]

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2004 PARC IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED!!!
You can still register to get on a waiting list, but believe me, the waiting list is already getting long!

Reminder to already registered teams (http://tahsroboticsteam.org/PARC/teamslist.htm) - YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PAYMENTS IN BY MAY 1, OR WE WILL BE GOING TO OUR WAITING LIST!
To be fair to all teams - NO PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THE DAY OF COMPETITION.

Please see our website (http://tahsroboticsteam.org/PARC/) for details.

[camtunkpa]

A message to all teams planning on attending PARC or who wish to attend:

Pennsylvania Robot Challenge VII

May 8, 2004


Due to the overwhelming response

All Teams not paid May 1st will be moved to a waiting list.

After May 1st First Paid First Served

No Monies can be accepted on the day of the event!!!


This message is self explanatory, but I'm sure an email has already been sent or will be sent shortly to your head advisor to take care of this....

Teams already paid are:
19, 484, 487, 1071

Hope to see you all at the PARC!!!!!

[BandChick]

i'm hoping to be there even though it's the weekend before finals for me (eep!) good luck to everyone in off-season and those of you i haven't scrambled around to meet from CD expect some stalking ~.^

[cbudrecki]

well the 2004 PARC is only 2 weeks away, we're having an unbelieveable 35 teams this year :ahh: with sooo many teams, we have to move the pits into our cafeteria this year, it'll give it somewhat of a "Championship feel" to the PARC. OK, the cafeteria isn't a 3 day hike to the field, but it's not just outside our gym (about oh, 100-200 ft, maybe). ok, so i really have no clue Also, to the best of my knowledge, practice rounds will be on a first come first serve basis, as you check in, you have to sign up for practice. well, i can't wait to see everyone there, it's gonna be the best PARC yet!!!

[Ashley Weed]

well the 2004 PARC is only 2 weeks away, we're having an unbelieveable 35 teams this year :ahh: with sooo many teams, we have to move the pits into our cafeteria this year, it'll give it somewhat of a "Championship feel" to the PARC. OK, the cafeteria isn't a 3 day hike to the field, but it's not just outside our gym (about oh, 100-200 ft, maybe). ok, so i really have no clue Also, to the best of my knowledge, practice rounds will be on a first come first serve basis, as you check in, you have to sign up for practice. well, i can't wait to see everyone there, it's gonna be the best PARC yet!!!


35 TEAMS!!! OMG! WOW! I can't imagine what it will be like! The anticipation is killing me! Will this make the day longer, or less matches for all? :ahh:

[OneAngryDaisy]

Awesome.. will there be a different playoff format so that everyone can play? like 12 alliances or something?

[Yan Wang]

Noooooo. :)

Having 16 alliances at Canada was a nightmare. It made scouting impossibly hard and it ended up being the #1 and #2 alliances going at it in the end (the new scoring system is much more representative of robot ability). In Championships, there were 73 teams per division yet there weren't 16 sixteen alliances. Please don't implement this for PARC. In fact, 12 alliances equals 36 teams - there's going to be 35 and some might not show.

[camtunkpa]

we will be playing by first rules....which means only 8 alliances. I know some teams run a different format so all teams get in the finals, but due to the time constraint we just cant.... and btw there are 36 teams carl :yikes:

Cliff

[Yan Wang]

we will be playing by first rules....which means only 8 alliances.

Well, obviously the 16 alliance system in Canada was within FIRST rules too since it was allowed (along with multiple awards, ex. 2 GM Industrial Design) - I just wish they'd notified everyone prior to Friday so scouts were better prepared.

[JoshJ]

36 teams.... Does that mean that the teams on the waiting list now have slots to play???

[Charlie222]

Correct, we now have 36 teams registered for PARC

http://www.tigertrons.com/PARC/

Here is the updated list:

11 Maurauders NJ
19 Big Red Robotics CT
25 Raider Robotix NJ
56 RoBBE Xtreme NJ
84 CHUCK PA
102 Dexterous Gearheads NJ
103 Cybersonics Technology PA
134 BAE Systems Pembroke Academy NH
145 T-Rx 145 NY
175 Buzz Robotics CT
176 Aces High CT
222 Tigertrons PA
225 William Penn PA
284 The Crew PA
303 Panther Robotics NJ
316 LuNaTeCs NJ
339 Rappahannock Robotics VA
341 Miss Daisy PA
357 Royal Assault PA
365 Miracle Workerz DE
433 Firebirds PA
484 Hal PA
487 Spartans PA
522 Robo Wizards NY
555 Montclair Robotics NJ
639 Code Red NY
834 SparTechs PA
1048 Manvillians NJ
1071 Team MAX CT
1099 The Lions CT
1143 Cruzin' Comets PA
1218 Chestnut Hill Academy PA
1257 Parallel Universe NJ
1279 Cold Fusion NJ
1302 Pope John Robotics Team Lionheart NJ
1403 Montgomery NJ

Registered Teams MUST pay before
May 1st or they will be placed on a waiting list!!


If your team is still interested in attending but didn't register in time, sign up for our waiting list. We will NOT take more than 36 teams BUT if one of the above teams drops out and your team is #1 on the waiting list your in!!

http://www.tigertrons.com/PARC/


- Charlie - Tigertrons Team #222 - Webmaster

[George A.]

This message goes out to anyone on team 222 who could help me. My team (11) is signed up for PARC, and is our 6 year participating or so. Your website, says that we haven't paid, but my team advisor says that we have. Have you not updated your site recently, or is my advisor not telling me everything. Anything you could do to help me find these answers would help, so I can get the money in time. THANK YOU

[Charlie222]

This message goes out to anyone on team 222 who could help me. My team (11) is signed up for PARC, and is our 6 year participating or so. Your website, says that we haven't paid, but my team advisor says that we have. Have you not updated your site recently, or is my advisor not telling me everything. Anything you could do to help me find these answers would help, so I can get the money in time. THANK YOU

You should be fine. It could be that your check hasn't arrived yet, or just that I havn't been given the payment confirmation to update the website. Have your advisor give Fred Harding a call to make sure that everything is squared away.

- Charlie - Tigertrons Team #222 - Webmaster

[MASherry]

Everyone!! Team 555 needs ur help!! We are low on funds and really want to compete in PARC but i dont think we will have the money to. If any teams can please find it in their hearts to donate some money to us, please do!!! You can PM me or email me at MASHERRY@COMCAST.NET

THX!!

[Charlie222]

To Team 555 -

Several Anonymous donors from Team #222 have contributed towards your entrance fee out of their own pockets. The grand total right now is $70. This reduces your entrance fee to $180.

If anybody else is interested in donating to Team #555 solely for the purpose of the PARC entrance fee please send the donations to:

Tunkhannock Area High School
120 West Tioga Street
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
Att. Mr. Fred A. Harding

(Please specify that the money is towards Team #555's entrance fee)

It is important that all monies are received by May 1st as this is the cutoff deadline.

Thank You -

Charles - Tigertrons Team #222 - Webmaster

[MASherry]

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST!!!

[zeep25]

is there any chance that team 369 will be able to go or register for this competition ?? we really want to go but we are late, please let us know of any chance to goin to PARC

[camtunkpa]

you may still register for our compettion, but you will be place on a waiting list....you can sign up by going to our webpage.

[Charlie222]

A team just dropped out .....

Team #369 -- If you want to come to PARC register NOW.

http://tigertrons.com/PARC/register.htm

First team registered is in.

- Charlie


zeep25 is there any chance that team 369 will be able to go or register for this competition ?? we really want to go but we are late, please let us know of any chance to goin to PARC

[George A.]

Is there any word on the situation of the money for team 11? Just wondering, thanks

[henryBsick]

Here in 4 th block with our mentor. 11 is paid. Mr. Harding just got the check. See you all at the PARC!!

[Charlie222]

Did any teams try to sign up for PARC today?
I recieved a blank registration form.

[George A.]

Here in 4 th block with our mentor. 11 is paid. Mr. Harding just got the check. See you all at the PARC!!

Thanks for all your help, can't wait till the competition in a couple of weeks. See everyone at the PARC!!!

[Yan Wang]

After looking at the agenda, I was wondering if someone from 222 could confirm that there will not be a skills competition? (Last year it was stacking, laps, KotH, etc)

[team222badbrad]

Yan,

Correct there will be no skills competitions.

.... so many teams too little time!....

[Charlie222]

Yan,

Correct there will be no skills competitions.

.... so many teams too little time!....

Show your skills in the Finals!!! :D

[team222badbrad]

This is what the 2004 PARC T-shirt looks like: They are going to be $12

[Meredith Rice]

This is what the 2004 PARC T-shirt looks like: They are going to be $12

Oooooo! I like! I'm bringing my 12 bucks. :D

[Yan Wang]

639 members already ordered about 20 of them :) I hope you guys use this money to improve upon your awesome drivetrain.

I'd like to add something before Saturday... when I was driving in Canada during practice rounds, I became extremely pissed off when field crew members were taking sticks and pushing small balls into the corral. I understand that human players need practice, but in Canada, there was a pratice goal in the back for them. I wanted more practice herding but instead, the balls near the corral were nearly all gone. At PARC, our drive team will consist of completely new people who were part of the third drive team this year (backup). They have not competed yet, have not ever played on a real field, and have the least experience/skill (no offense guys). We are using PARC to train them more because chances are that they will become the second drive team next year (we alternate qualifying matches on 639 - first driver, me, does eliminations). I would greatly appreciate it, and so would that third drive team, if PARC field crew members would not herd balls for teams unless asked to. Practice rounds are for practice and should be used to simulate a real match as closely as possible. Interference is just annoying to the driver. Let him/her practice.

[Dave_222]

639 members already ordered about 20 of them :) I hope you guys use this money to improve upon your awesome drivetrain.

I'd like to add something before Saturday... when I was driving in Canada during practice rounds, I became extremely pissed off when field crew members were taking sticks and pushing small balls into the corral. I understand that human players need practice, but in Canada, there was a pratice goal in the back for them. I wanted more practice herding but instead, the balls near the corral were nearly all gone. At PARC, our drive team will consist of completely new people who were part of the third drive team this year (backup). They have not competed yet, have not ever played on a real field, and have the least experience/skill (no offense guys). We are using PARC to train them more because chances are that they will become the second drive team next year (we alternate qualifying matches on 639 - first driver, me, does eliminations). I would greatly appreciate it, and so would that third drive team, if PARC field crew members would not herd balls for teams unless asked to. Practice rounds are for practice and should be used to simulate a real match as closely as possible. Interference is just annoying to the driver. Let him/her practice.

PARC is 100% by first rules, our field crew will not be interacting with the field in anyform other than catching balls that are thrown out of play.

[cbudrecki]

coming from a Championship Field Crew person, it really bothered me that the FIRST crew were allowed to push the balls into the corrals (true, it was only practice ounds, but still!!!), since i'm a resetter @ PARC as well, I will see to it that this does not happen :D now, if teams feel they want to let their human players practice, i see no reason why A team member assists in gathering balls, as long as they stay away from the moving robots, again, practice rounds only of course, and as dave said ALL FIRST RULES APPLY. see you in 4 days!!!

[petek]

coming from a Championship Field Crew person, it really bothered me that the FIRST crew were allowed to push the balls into the corrals (true, it was only practice ounds, but still!!!), since i'm a resetter @ PARC as well, I will see to it that this does not happen :D now, if teams feel they want to let their human players practice, i see no reason why A team member assists in gathering balls, as long as they stay away from the moving robots, again, practice rounds only of course, and as dave said ALL FIRST RULES APPLY. see you in 4 days!!!

I found it disturbing that FIRST chose to ignore the potential for injury in allowing people to be on the playing field while robots were in action during practice. Personally, I would rather stay well clear of these beasts. Visions of the Firebirds vs. the drivers station at Drexel last year come to mind (remember that MOE?). Two horsepower robots moving at 8-10 ft/sec with metal arms sticking out & nice, soft people do not sound like a good combination to me.

Now, if you gave the person a red cape to wave...

[John Larock]

Pete:

I totally agree with you. The situation you mentioned last year at Philly had "decapitation" written all over it. Thanks to a thin piece of polycarbonate, the drivers were protected.

All who participate in PARC and other off-season comps need to appreciate the danger our creations could cause if (1) they get into the wrong hands [insert horror movie evil laugh here], or (2) the event hosts do not follow appropriate safety precautions.

ALL OFF-SEASON ROBOTEERS - BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!

[Yan Wang]

Thanks to all PARC people who addressed my concern.

[Kel D]

Visions of the Firebirds vs. the drivers station at Drexel last year come to mind (remember that MOE?).

I remember that. That was funny..I mean, thank goodness no one got hurt. Well, the Firebirds certainly are looking forward to this Saturday. One thought for next year. Team 1391 had a team set-up/socail on friday where teams could come and bring their robot and tools and what not and set up then there was like a team social or teams could practice on the field. Just a suggestion.

[team222badbrad]

We usually do allow teams to drop their robots off the night before. We should be here at the school until atleast 8pm. We may be here at the school later than 8 or before depending on how things are going!

We do not have a social or anything planned but your more than welcome to drop your robot off the night before!

[petek]

I remember that. That was funny..I mean, thank goodness no one got hurt.

I think everyone got a hoot from that escapade - especially when it happened a second time! Everyone other than MOE's drivers and maybe some field crew, that is. I imagine MOE was feeling rather picked-on by then, eh, John?

[Ashley Weed]

Something I used to do every year for scouting purposes during my driver/floor team days. It's always interesting to see, and thought I would share this year. The file does not include Quarter/Semi Finalist.

Some main points:

6 Regional Winners
4 Regional Finalist Awards
46 Regional Awards
Division/Championship Winners & Finalist

[George A.]

Nice work on those stats, Ashley. I don't think I could ever have enough patientce to sit down and actually track down information on all these teams. Glad someone has a little more patience than I do!

[henryBsick]

Hey all,
Here are some things to do on Friday nights in Tunkhannock, if you come by, and drop off the bot, you may want to stay for a while.
Movies-
Dietrich Theater- Corner of 6 and 29 in town at the light.
fri- alamo@ 5
envy @ 7
hidalgo @ 7:30
( there may be more to come, we are still getting the schudule nailed down because of the recent film festival)
those times are correct

Fun and games-
Shadowbrook Bowling Alley, and mini golf-
Always a good time
R. 6 east roughly one mile from the light in town (6 x 29)


Food.
There are soooo many food eateries in town that I can't name them all. Along R. 6 is where you can find most of them except for the burger king by walmart south of town on R. 29.


Any questions post em here.
See you at the PARC!!

[Elgin Clock]

Where is the competition being held? I may be in PA this Saturday and would like to go if I am in the area.

Can I have an Address?

Also, will the t-shirts be available for purchase at PARC, or are they just for teams that are registered?

[Erin Rapacki]

I'd love to do something Friday night... give me a call!
(PM me for phone number)

Muhahahahah! I'm (pseudo) Head-Reffing, so you guys better watch out!
(I walk down hall and ask Benge for his interpretation on rulings, working at DEKA has it's perks :D )

[Ashley Weed]

Where is the competition being held? I may be in PA this Saturday and would like to go if I am in the area.

Can I have an Address?

Also, will the t-shirts be available for purchase at PARC, or are they just for teams that are registered?

This might help - directions (http://www.tahsroboticsteam.org/PARC/directions.htm)

... and for many, many years the shirts have always been available just as you walk in the door to everyone!

[Elgin Clock]

Whoa.. Only a little over 3 hours to get there from 237's hometown. Maybe I will pitch going there next year to the team.Thanks Ashley, I must have completely missed that page on the PARC site..

[Shu Song]

Only two days left.... getting pumped(for an off season comp, but still pumped). How 'bout the rest of you?

[Brandon Holley]

PARC!!!..2 days...cant wait, gotta get that Unofficial comp itch out of me..

[Ashley Weed]

Woohoo! I'm so excited! It's my first FIRST competition of the season! College prevented me from traveling this year... I can't wait!

I miss everything about FIRST so much, I became very bored tonight and dyed my hair just like the old times.:yikes:

[Yan Wang]

Only two days left.... getting pumped(for an off season comp, but still pumped). How 'bout the rest of you?

^ Shu will be the driver for one of two new prospective drive teams... they got a couple hours of practice last night. PARC should be an interesting experience for them... I'll be coaching one or both teams and not doing the main driver thing. Btw, Ashley, thanks a lot for collecting that data. I was too busy to look through it. But when our head scout scanned through Joe Johnson's data sheet, 639 was the highest %tile, followed by 222. I wonder where that's headed after PARC :)

[Pat Roche]

Guys unfortunately it will be my last competition on the driveteam and as a driver. Should be fun anyways though :cool: See you all down there.

-Pat

[Kel D]

This will be our drive teams last competition too. *tear* but PARC is a great competition to go out with ;). I'm so excited!

[Dave_222]

I left the highschool at exactyl 11 pm and the arena is up and running :-), still some fine details to be smothed out, but we did run a round with our machine, ball drops worked perfect, ball t sensors are functioning, its all good :-)..... See most of you on saturday, and even some tomorrow :-).

Dave

[Yan Wang]

Based on the 30 teams listed at 222's website atm, here are the rankings of teams based on average qualifying match points at REGIONAL events.


Team Number Number of Qualifying Matches Qualifying Average
222 16 119.4
284 9 113.3
316 9 108.3
484 9 103.9
357 9 102.2
1143 9 99.4
175 17 96.2
487 9 92.8
1218 16 91.3
145 9 91.1
522 9 89.4
639 8 88.8
1403 15 85.7
1302 16 83.4
103 17 82.4
11 23 79.6
25 15 78.3
341 16 78.1
303 15 77.3
1099 9 76.1
1071 9 73.9
365 17 70
433 17 69.7
1279 15 67.7
1257 15 66.7
225 13 65.8
834 9 64.4
134 8 49.4
84 10 21.5
19 0 0

[SaxMan701]

I now must go! I need the vintage shirt!

And, of course, FIRST is always fun :D .

Even though I didn't go to regionals this year...

See everyone there tomorrow!

[Corey Balint]

Anybody up for a little prediction action??

Im thinking 303, 11, 222, and 365 have good shots at it. 303 did great at the 2 regs and just dint get picked at nats.
11-very strong robot, pushed us around actually,but we can still take em.
222 and 365 are solid all around and have shown that they can win in previous competitions,
176 was also amazing.

so it looks like its gonna be some wicked fun tomorrow.

[Yan Wang]

Whatever happened to the PARC webcast someone from 222 mentioned a few days ago??? Will there be a webcast?

Dave answered the question on AIM: no webcast due to lack of resources.

[miketwalker]

Whatever happened to the PARC webcast someone from 222 mentioned a few days ago??? Will there be a webcast?

Dave answered the question on AIM: no webcast due to lack of resources.
Darn... I'd love to see PARC on webcast. Good luck to all the teams up there attending!

[Charlie222]

Well -- Time time is now!!!

LEEEEEEEEEET'S GET READY TO RRRRRRRUUUUUUMMMMMMMMBBBBBLLLLLEEE!!!!!!!!!


(Is anybody out there interested in text updates?)
If so, I could probably make it happen.

- Charlie

[Cory]

Text updates would be cool.

Cory

[Scott L.]

Sorry, I couldn't get the webcast to work, But I did capture the entire event on my laptop.

I still have to seperate it into the matches. i.e. I captured it as three ~ 2-hour files. My best guess is the whole event takes up less than 1 DVDR Disk. :cool:

I would like to thank all the people that made this year's PARC possible. :)

[Astronouth7303]

That'd be cool: go to a web page with a one-way chat thing with streaming commentary. Way less bandwidth than a streaming video. a radio thing wouldn't be so bad, either
(mono audio is the eqiuvelent of a streaming 1x100 image)

[Charlie222]

Well Everyone -- It was an AWESOME competition today. Everything went great and I think everyone had a great time. Sorry about not providing text updates, I got busy with field reset and tons of other stuff.

A special message from the cleanup crew:
Thank you SOOO much everyone for cleaning up after yourselves. Especially the bleachers area. Just another showing of Gracious Professionalism from everyone today. THANK YOU!!

- Charlie - Tigertron Webmaster

P.S. If anyone has any GOOD pictures from PARC that you'd like to see on our website please let me know.