Re: pic: Modified AM Shifter Gearboxes
 

Not really. Remember this: You can ask any veteran team for advise, assistance, and anything else you can think of (and that includes all of CD, by the way, just watch out or you'll be trying to drink out of a firehose). Hint, these gearboxes were a donation from a veteran team. Sure, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year teams to tend to struggle--that's kind of the nature of the beast in every kind of sport. On the other hand...

Struggling against stacked odds is a common complaint among some veteran teams, too (ask anybody in the Toronto area since 2056 started playing). And there are some teams that just take to FRC really well. I can think of 3 separate rookie teams who won their first event as a key contributor to their alliance, or even as alliance captain.


Now, whether stepping up to FRC is worthwhile is something for you and your team to decide. I'd encourage you to do it if you think you can; otherwise, nobody's forcing you to, so you don't have to.

Re: pic: Modified AM Shifter Gearboxes
 

Thanks for the encouraging words. Who knows maybe we'll set a target to compete in the 2016 FRC season! I guess the key here is not going in without being fully prepared and as you say CD and existing teams are a vast resource.

Re: pic: Modified AM Shifter Gearboxes
 

A discussion repeated many times. As with most rules in FIRST, the answer is "probably some." FIRST is an open organization which is self-regulated by the principle of Gracious Professionalism, and that principle is made perfectly clear to all participants. Every team must decide for themselves whether they buy in to that principle.

Re: pic: Modified AM Shifter Gearboxes
 

Are there technology/design competitions where years of experience provides no advantage?

Re: pic: Modified AM Shifter Gearboxes
 

After we're done testing and possibly running it through an offseason event, we'll restore it back to COTS condition and then re-modify it during build season. It shouldn't be too terrible a task.

While the experience of multiple seasons is a huge asset, it doesn't mean a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year team can't be competitive - if you have a good group of mentors, students and resources, you can accomplish a lot. Also, as EricH said, there are plenty of veteran teams who want you to succeed and will help you. All in all, FRC is a great program for any team, regardless of age.

Re: pic: Modified AM Shifter Gearboxes
 

We still have a ton of AM Gen 1 shifter gearboxes.
When I first met Andy, we thought these were so advantageous to have that I ordered 14 of them.
I'll never forget 2001 SVR regional (called something else, cant recall) when the Poofs (EJ driving) shifted into low gear to easily balance on the bridge with both goals.
Our minds were blown.:ahh:

Re: pic: Modified AM Shifter Gearboxes
 

In 2001 the event became known as the Silicon Valley Regional. Prior to that it had been referred to as the NASA Ames regional.