2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Hello Everyone!

The Ruckus Planning Committee is pleased to announce that the 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus will be held on Saturday, October 27th from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. This year, we are proud to announce that we have expanded to the 25,000 square foot Dome Arena in Henrietta! The new venue is bigger, provides more seating, has many hotels and food options nearby and is easily accessible from the NYS Thruway! Team registration is now open, and we hope that your team can come! Ruckus is a great time to train new members of the team before the new season starts and offers a fun atmosphere with less of the stress of a regional competition! The registration fee is $100 (which is way cheaper than many other off-season events), and as always, 2013 pre-rookies can compete for free (the committee will make sure you have a robot to compete with if you would like).

We are really excited to grow our event, and look forward to bringing you an even better Ruckus! We are planning lots of exciting activities including the annual "Pie-in-the-Eye." Moving into a bigger and better venue will allow us to expand our event and provide a better experience for everyone! Event schedule, rule changes, volunteer registration and some fun events are still being worked on, but we will be sure to keep everyone updated!

The event website can be found at www.ruckus.penfieldrobotics.com
The event Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/rahchacharuckus ("Like" the page for the updates and information!)

We hope to see you there!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I'll throw in a bit of a shameless plug for Ruckus. The Rah Cha Cha Ruckus is an absolutely fantastic event. It may not be a major off-season competition like IRI or MARC, but it's always a fantastically competitive event, and it always a lot of fun. It's a one day event, and the environment is extremely relaxed. It really is as much of a Robotics Halloween Party as a competition.

In the past, Ruckus has drawn the attention of a lot of high-profile teams. It usually contains the local power teams, like 1126, 191, 229, 1559, 1507 and many others. However, in the past years, we've also seen attendance from major out-of-state teams like 188, 610 and 48. By attending, you'll be going to compete against some very strong teams who you can learn a lot from!

It's an amazing opportunity, all for $100, and though the venue in the past has been a little tight, now that it's moving to The Dome Arena, it's going to be able to accommodate an off-season on the rise! I'm extremely excited for The Rah Cha Cha Ruckus!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

2791 will be there. We're technically not "out of state" but we haven't been up in the Rochester area since our rookie year. See you there!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Two questions

1.) Since its a bigger venue will more teams be attending?

2.) Does anyone have the match footage from last year? I never could find it.

Im looking forward to this and its still months away :)
Here is a video of the dome for teams who are curious of how big it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovoDgKpR-Aw

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

If all of the regulars show up, this may be one of the most intense Ruckuses yet.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

1) We are hoping that expanding into the dome will draw in some more teams and make Ruckus even more exciting! We are also working on some really cool things that the larger venue will allow,whereas we did not have the space in Webster.

2) I don't know. Sorry.

3)The dome video is awesome! There is also a link in the original post that brings you to the floor plan. The video linked to (to those that don't know) is of the Rochester Rampage, an event where many local teams can show off their robots at the Monroe County Fair on a full field.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

6 teams have already registered for the Rah Cha Cha Ruckus! Delphi ELITE - 48, Blizzard - 188, X-Cats - 191, RoboCats - 379, Rolling Thunder - 1511, and Shaker Robotics - 2791! An excellent first six teams for The Ruckus! Who will join these six great teams?!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Being in the Dome will be a welcomed change for sure. 340 will be there.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Yup, that's pretty cool. 1551 will be there, too.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

3266 is stoked to be attending with our friends from 1126 and 578. :cool:

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

team 3015 will be there!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

578 Is going to be there ready for another amazing ruckus. :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

We were happy to be the first team to register. :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Technically 1511 was the first to register since they are running the show...

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Did they go through the actual website registration process? No? Then nyahhh. :p Besides, Kristen Gerstung told me we were first. Who am I to argue with her? :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

The team list so far:
48
188
191
379
610
1507
1511
2791

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Me thinks there will be Canadian dominance this ruckus.

Also is alliance selections going to be the same as last year Ed?

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Methinks that remains to be seen.

Depending on number of teams registering, I hope they remove the restriction of not picking within the top four seeds.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

What was so special about last year's alliance selection? (Didn't go with the team last year.)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I'm happy to see many friends have registered, including 2791 from way out near Troy.

Even with this early list I can tell that Ruckus will be quite an event. Looking Forward to it!

-Nick

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Nick must be Looking Forward!

Last year, the top 4 teams could not pick within the top 4 teams, so as to try and balance out the top teams so the matches would no be a complete blowout.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Those 8 teams by themselves are extremely intimidating :D

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Just a little bit of data on the 8 teams already registered:

The 8 teams so far have a combined record of 232 wins, 107 losses, and 3 ties. They also have a combined 6 regional wins and 6 regional finalists. This is going to be an incredible event.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

340 is in!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Is it bad that when I read this, my first thought was "Nick, is 1503 coming to Ruckus!?!" Yeah... I realized my folly :o Unless you really know if 1503 is coming to Ruckus.

Do you think we could get an "Eh-Team" at Ruckus - 1503, 188 and 610?

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Considering 1503 didn't apply for IRI, I would be suprised to see that they don't register for Ruckus. I know that Spartillery isn't done and would love to improve on her finalist appearance at Waterloo earlier this year.

As for the possibility of an Eh-Team happening, well this is Ruckus, where strange things happen...

-Nick

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

We should pie him in the face to celebrate!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I have to agree. 610 and 188 are a formidable combo.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

As are 48/610, 1507/188, 1507/610, 48/1507, 48/188 (partners last year at Ruckus), 48/3193, 1507/340, and any number of other combinations from teams who've applied and have yet to apply (I think 3193 from NEOFRAland is going to register, but not yet sure).

Regardless of alliance combos, it will be a fun, competitive time for all. I'm lookinG forwarD to it. :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Some more teams are now in! The team list is:

48
188
191
340 and "3402"
379
610
1507
1511
1551
2791

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Do you know yet what your team capacity is?

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

With a larger venue, we will be able to comfortably hold more than our standard 24. Right now, I think we have space laid out for 32 teams.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Took us long enough to end up at the same event again, eh? There's a shirt waiting for you when you get there.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Only three years. :P

I'm really happy about the new venue. The high school was a good venue, but this one looks to be quite superb.

-Nick

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Does 48 have a stinger like thing to help them triple balance?

I know 610 can triple with their arm like stabilizer.

Does anyone else have something to triple balance with?

Sorry if im forgetting anyone.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

340 has a stinger, 1507 has drive brakes. That's all I know.

If 48 has a stinger, I'm not aware of it. But Travis could answer that better. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if they add one for IRI and carried that over to Ruckus. Purely speculation, however.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I saw a video of them testing it with 3193 I believe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1wug...hannel&list=UL

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

My favorite cheesy video ever. We've had a stinger since Queen City but have not had the opportunity to use it in competition. The vid starting around 4:10 does show the stinger's capability, however. We can hang almost half the robot off the bridge - center wheel close to the lip. Would prefer not to get that close!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

This is something the Ruckus committee is still looking at for 2012. Last year was our first look at the "top 4" restriction and changing/revising/removing that is certainly something we're looking at. As many of you long-time attenders know, we've done different things in the past with respect to alliance selection due to the smaller venue size (relative to a regional) with the goal of making the event both competitive and fun. We'll do our best again this year!

Someone asked about capacity -- we have a tentative floor plan with space for 32 teams, but this is not a hard cap and it incorporates a healthy amount of "elbow" room in isles, robot traffic lanes, etc. If there is an influx of registrations (hint?? :)) this can be adjusted and we can easily accommodate more teams!

I'd like to encourage all teams who plan to attend to register sooner rather than later. This generates more hype for the event and ultimately leads to a more epic experience for all involved! No payment is due now, so if you know you'll be coming there's nothing holding you back -- get your team leader to register! :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I just found out the publication date for my first novel... October 27th, 2012!

Ruckus book signing, anyone? :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Teams signed up right now make this more than a regional level event. Very excited to say that you can look forward to seeing 639 on the list whenever we get around to registering.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Well, it's a Zombie story so it's definitely Halloween-centric and you are a well respected FIRST mentor so it's still FIRST-centric so I'll bring it up at the next meeting and see how the committee feels about it.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I was somewhat kidding, but how about if I donate some of the profits to 1511 and 1551?

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

That sounds like a great idea.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

FYI, there is a small possibility that books will not arrive in time, and I'll only know if and when they do. (I'm ordering them through a local book store, and shipping times from the publisher are not guaranteed -- they may be +/- a week.)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I'm astounded by how much 48/3193's machine can hang off the bridge. It looks like it's just barely hanging on for dear life, but it balances. So 1507, 340 and 610 have balancing aids, as does 48, and, if they attend, 3193.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Other teams like 188 have plenty of triple balance experience too.

-Nick

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

We can add 639 to that list basically they tripled at flr and Champs and dc I believe?

But the thing to note is not all the same drive teams form competition are the same for the ruckus. But it shows their robots have the capability of it.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Our drive coach will be the same, but our drivers are graduating. :eek:

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I'm trying my hardest to make sure 174's mentors get the memo about it this year. There was a lot of talk among the mentors about Ruckus being a "must go" before the season began. So, cross your fingers...

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

3/4 of this year's Drive Team were seniors. We typically have 2 Drive Teams at Ruckus just to allow more people to have the experience and try out. The only veteran will be our operator.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

The current Ruckus team list:
48
188
191
340
379
610
1126
1334
1405
1507
1511
1551
1559
2791
3266
3951

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

FRC 1334, The Red Devils, are very pleased to be able attend the Ruckus in October. Our first off-season event since the end of the Canada's Wonderland version.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I'm hoping Canada's Wonderland (or something like it ) can one day return.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Word. I'm not renewing my passport for nothing.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

After a new addition from Canada, the current Ruckus team list is:
48
188
191
340
379
610
1126
1334
1405
1507
1511
1551
1559
2791
3266
3683
3951

This year's Ruckus is shaping up to be a fantastic event in a great new venue! We have more space than before and we would love to see some more teams! It's a great time, and a fantastic way to train new members before the new season starts!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Hey Everyone! Registration is still open and we would love to have your team come to Ruckus! It really is a great event, and the new location will make this year's Ruckus even better! We have a a lot of teams already registered, and many are from Canada (is Ruckus the new Canada's Wonderland? :P ) Right now, local teams are participating n the Rochester Rampage at the fair, so I took the opportunity to take a picture of the new facility! Hope to see you there!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I noticed the volunteers page on the website says that volunteer registration is expected to open at the end of June. It's halfway through July now, any update?

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I got word from the higher ups...looks like 174 is not going again.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

There were a few things that needed to be worked out before registration opened. The latest update says it should hopefully open towards the end of this week. Sorry for the delay, and thank you for your interest in volunteering!

Evan, that is unfortunate to hear. 174 had a great robot this year. Hopefully the Arctic Warriors will be able to make it up someday :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Just need to get the A-OK from our school teachers in order to really register, but 229 and 4124 plan on being there. :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Its still not official that we won't go, but the team is going though some major changes this off season and as much as the mentors were determined to go the beginning of this season, once you get to the time everyone falls back into their usual place once the dust of competition settles.

Maybe if you got all the rochester teams to call our team mentors? haha.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Team 578, Red Raider Robotics, is now registered! We're very much looking forward to returning to this exciting event. Especially now that we'll be in the big dome at the fairgrounds!

We didn't immediately show up on the team list page, but I have received the confirmation email. So, there are now 18 teams attending the Ruckus:

48
188
191
340
379
578
610
1126
1334
1405
1507
1511
1551
1559
2791
3266
3683
3951

Good luck, everyone!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Man, this is going to be one tough event. Looking Forward to October!

-Nick

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I don't know if it's been brought up, but if we get 24 teams, I think we should have free reign for alliance selections.

There are enough good teams attending where each alliance has the chance of being competitive.

Gone should be the days of freezing the Top 6 or whatever

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

This would be awesome. I think we'll get at least 24 teams, I mean it's only July and we already have 18.

-Nick

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

The more teams, the better! 18 teams (a good portion from outside the area) in mid July is a great start! This year is gonna be great!

The draft process hasn't been determined yet but that point will be considered! I just hope we dont end up with 25 teams-that could make it a bit awkward for the one team that doesnt make it :P

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

All the more reason to have legit alliance selections. That 25th team would be so inspired to get better.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Just wanted to drop in and say that 639 is now officially registered. We're not on the teams list yet but we did get the confirmation email.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

229 is in! Still waiting to hear on whether I can put 4124 in as well.

EDIT: I just got, like, 5 versions of the 'thanks for registering!' email. Just for clarification, we only want to enter 229 ONCE... :P

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I wish the east coast was a little closer to Indiana.

So many cool off-season events, but nearly impossible to attend during the school year.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

"Dear team representative, thank you for registering 5 teams and we look forward to seeing you at the Ruckus!"
--"Ruckus committee"

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I guess that's what happens when you divide by zero.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Libby, registering 229 once brings us to 20 teams! If the other 4 teams register, we will already have 24! :P

The Team list is now:
48
188
191
229
340
379
578
610
639
1126
1334
1405
1507
1511
1551
1559
2791
3266
3683
3951

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Ba-dum PSSSHHHHH.

:)

We hope to be bringing your roster up to 21 with 4124, but, like I said - waiting to hear back.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Thank you, thank you. My comedy stylings will be gracing Ruckus once again this year. Now if only someone would give me a mic...


This would be huge. As an event that historically has only had enough teams to support 7 alliances (about 21 teams, least year as an exception), it would be great to have 21 teams 3 months before the event!

Hopefully even more teams sign up this year and we don't need a team to duplicate themselves to hit 24! *coughcough3402coughcough* :)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

378 Registered. We are looking forward to it as usual.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Uhhhh.....how about a pie in the face?

340 has 2 robots anyway, and we all know that it should be 424, not 3402 :P

Awesome! 21 teams so far! This is going to be a great event!
48
188
191
229
340
378
379
578
610
639
1126
1334
1405
1507
1511
1551
1559
2791
3266
3683
3951

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Yeah, how about that? Who do I talk to to sign up for this? Though I doubt I'd get as many tickets as last year (since I was fresh off 1126 then) I'd still like to!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

The website lists 3181 on the list as well. That makes 22 teams signed up!
48
188
191
229
340
378
379
578
610
639
1126
1334
1405
1507
1511
1551
1559
2791
3181
3266
3683
3951

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

The following teams attended Ruckus last year, and have not yet been noted as attending in this thread:

306
1518
2228
2340
3157
3173

If these teams come back for this round, we could get 28 teams! With the potential attendance of 3193 and 4124, we may even get to 30!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Don't forget the possibility of pre rookies.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Sorry for the long delay! Volunteer Registration is now open! Thank you to everyone who will help make the 2012 Ruckus one of the best yet! Visit http://ruckus.penfieldrobotics.com/v...-registration/ to sign up!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I have to check a few things before I confirm if I can volunteer or not. Outlook not so good, but I'll see. With it nearing 24 teams, I think I'll have to make a few excuses and find a way there anyway.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Hey Ruckusians, 1551 has a small dilemma. (That is to say, we're cheap and are hoping for a solution that allows us to continue being so...)

Our bridge met a brutal and final end during Buckeye. There was fire in the pits... As such, we have no official FIRST bridge, and because FIRST will be changing to a new system for this coming year, we are disinclined to purchase a new one of the same sub-standard model.

Does anyone have an extra bridge that 1551 could borrow for Ruckus purposes? (Or, alternatively, will any old bridge do without causing problems with the FMS?)

Thanks,

Patrick

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I just sent my mentors an email. I will pm you if we have an extra. :)
1551 is an awesome robot and needs to compete...

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Patrick,
If you have one of the older "black square" radios from 2009/2010 you can use that. Consider this an official "ok" for Ruckus :)

If not, 1511 will have your back - just remind one of us as it gets closer.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

BTW -- Now at 23 teams -- who will be #24??

:)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Just want to add on: super excited for Ruckus myself. I'll do just about anything for more Rebound Rumble.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Sweet. We'll try to find it!

(Due to the capital project we've been displaced for the summer. All our stuff is in crates, and we're working out of a building that has no power!)

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

578 has a spare bridge. We'll bring it just in case anyone needs it.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

With a large number of our friends (and former students) attending this event, 2168 is currently seriously discussing sending up at least a skeleton crew with the Fat Swan.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Yes! Do it! DO IT!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Do we expect to have 10x10' pits? This would be a great chance for all teams to experiment with pit improvements before regionals.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Fingers crossed!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

I would love to see the fat swan one more time before it goes into retirement. I'm sure Tim would too.:p

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

Team 73 is now registered for the Ruckus.

We are making plans for rebuilding the robot to make it a scoring robot.
Look forward to posting pics and seeing you guys there.

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

and with that we've hit 24.
We have room for more!

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

If you do, I can bring 2 (3 if someone likes riding on the backseat hump of a Subaru for 4.5 hours) of your teammates along when we head out from Boston if you are looking for seats.

If we could convince 2168 and 558 to come from CT, and 2791 to come from Albany, we could make it a Clarkson University alumni event just like the CT and Boston Regionals this year :D

Re: 2012 Rah Cha Cha Ruckus
 

That would be awesome. Clarkson University and its alumni seem to have taken over New England. Let's take over Ruckus, too! :P