2007 Las Vegas
 

Mistook Los Angeles for Las Vegas....so I deleted my original thread. Here we go again.

Taking a quick poll of who is going to be at the Las Vegas Regional this year and give a quick description of what your bot can do.

1983's bot has the ability to score middle and possibly low goals, can climb nearly every ramp (most all but haven't tried it will all ramps yet) and has a powerful, fast drive train for defense.

Brian Richards, 1983 Mechanic

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 1983 will be attending the Las Vegas regional. Our boht is pretty much the best bot ever, can climb ANY ramp, can play stiff defense, and will be able to score low goals.

-Dave McLaughlin 1983 Driver

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

team 842 is going to Las Vegas

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

1885 will see you there ;)

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Same as last year, Team 8 will be at Vegas. Our bot this year features our signature strong drive train (altough slightly modified from last year), a four-bar based arm that can get to all goals, and camera based autonomous.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

233 will be in Vegas! watch the florida regional this weekend to see for yourself what we can do; i'm sure watching it is way better than anything i can say. :)

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 1425 will be in Las Vegas again this year as well. Barring unforseen problems in shipping or at the San Diego regional, we will have a robot that scores ringers very quickly on which ever level is needed, and which chan climb ramps. We are using our fixit window to address some minor issues which showed up during our run in Portland.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

sadly enough team 1372 - Lambda Cubed wont be attending this year with the emergence of the san diego regional our mentor wants to say local last year rocked though GOOD LUCK ALL

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

hey anybody that is going to the las vegas regional Team 1885 is in dire help for a cart to use at Las vegas. are cart is way to bulky to bring all the way from Virginia. we would be very Gratefull if someone could even make us one with a piece of plywood and casters. any old carts would be also great<<< but PLEASE help us>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

team 359 the hawaiian kids will be there. we just got home from NJ making it to the finals against team 25.
Team 25 prevented us last year from getting into the finals our one and only time (losing in the quarterfinals) in which we have done in 6 of the 7 regionals we have ever attended. We have 2 regional championships and 4 finalist runner-ups.
We did it in the inaugural 2005 vegas regional being the #1 pick by team 1425, wilsonville robotics, who were the #1 seed that year!

It looks to be really tough at Vegas this year, probably the hardest yet!:ahh:

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 1425 is looking forward to playing with you (Team 359) again this year. I think your are right about Los Vegas being a tough match up. At the end of the season, there will be lots of teams with previous experience so it should be very similar to Atlanta from a robot performance standpoint.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

As everyone else, 8 is looking forwards to playing in Vegas again, and maybe teaming up with the locals from 987 again. Vegas will be absolutley loaded this year.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Will team 8 be mounting a camera on the robot again? We have modified ours to get power from the robot so it doesn't have any of the rules problems we had last year.

We have robot POV video from Portland for most of our matches and it would be neat to get some video from another robot that was in a match with us.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

We might. As of right now, we're making some replacements.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 2090 will be in Las Vegas too. We (P.E.T.T.) are a rookie team from Honolulu, Hawaii hoping to get a chance to go to the Championship event in Atlanta. From the looks of things, this is going to be a great and competitve regional. Good Luck to all and we'll see you there :D

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 597 will attened, we are ready to Rack and Roll

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 39 will be there. We are going to Atlanta too since we won the final in Arizona,

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

we'd love to go to Atlanta also, should we qualify. Someone from Hawaii is willing to pay the tab:yikes:

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Who's that? i'd really like to know :D

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 59 is going, can't wait like 2 more weeks till we leave for Vegas. =D

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I forgot to add the specs. for the P.E.T.T. robot which has a 4 wheel drive, 2-speed manual transmission. Our bot also has 2 ramps that fold down, one has legs on it to hold it to about 12" (ours is measured at 12.5") and the other creates about a 30 degree incline. Our bot can hold 2 robots and can also score on the bottom row of the rack.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Any one know if Las Vegas will be webcast? It was on the NASA schedule earlier, but now is not.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Exploding Bacon 1902 leaves for the airport in 4 hours......I can't wait...

cya there

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Barely containing myself at school, so exited!! see you all there!

P.S. Got more bacon then vegas can handle!!!:yikes:

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

well we are getting on the plane at about 7 and we will be there about 1 east coast time and well all i have to say is i cant wait.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

We're leaving in 10 hours, and I have no idea how I'll be able to take a test I have to. Soooooo excited!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

We leave Ft. Lauderdale around 7! Can't wait!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

We depart seattle at 7:30 tonight, we will be representing Washinton as we are the only team from our state going...im counting down the hours!

Dave McLaughlin, Team 1983, Driver

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

tell me about it.. And I'm so exited to see how many Florida teams are actually going all the way to Vegas! see ya tomorrow!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Las Vegas was a very fun regional for us last year. Good luck to all teams attending this year.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I wasn't sure. Then I found out that these guys give factory tours, and they are only 20 minutes away from the competition site. I am SO there!

-dave

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Does this mean we might get to meet Dave at LVR? :P
I think every FIRST celebrity should find a good excuse and travel down to Vegas. A fun regional, and it's the one city in the world where there is always something to do.

-Guy

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I'll be there on Saturday.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Wow, pink is rockin. glad to see you guys in the pink again! on your 4th match you could have hung your 8th and got on the ramp.. Oh well, can't complain when you hang 7 in a row. Looks like good competition over there, wish we were there. 79 is doing great to, I love the ringer picker upper do dad. oh and OINK OINK BOOM! Come on guys were rooting for ya!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Well 1902 got to play pink 233 and we won the match. We were so nervous as we took pink on. Couldn't not see match well over video, but didn't look like pink got much help.

I do hope pink wins the rest and so does 1902 and 79 our last partner.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

On match 52 it looked like our opponents were hitting us in the last 15 seconds in our hone zone but didn't get a penalty, did I read it wrong?

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I noticed that as well. However, I had the sound off, so I don't know if the announcer gave an explanation.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I am wondering the same thing.

... also was quite surprised to see the head referee spend a good minute looking at the 8th tube that Team 79 (blue alliance) was trying to score in match 53 even though there were NO ringer for the red alliance or a ramp/lifters.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

No explanation. Trying to get my team on phone to find out.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I talked to my team. They protested that the penalty was not called. The judges are interpreting the rules as you can only be in home zone 5 seconds at at time.

After discussion with the judges they are contacting FIRST foir clarification.

All part of the game.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I thought we did great today.
we had no one that scored for our alliance in pretty much all of our matches. However, we were able to win 5 matches. We also will be with 1902 in a match tomorrow, so finally, a team that can match or exceed score for score.
We scored 5 and 7 by ourselves in our last two matches.
What is interesting about the pairing algorithm in these matches compared to NJ (when we went there) is that we will be with the same teammate 3 matches in a ROW! A rookie team with no arm or ramp, but pretty good in defense and the #2 seed after day 1 (7 matches). We also had teammates twice today that had matches almost back to back. They had to be on the waiting area on the opposing alliances side while still having to play a match.
For example, team 1703, our teammate was in match 26 and match 28. We couldn't talk strategy until they came into the PF waiting area because they were in a current match. But again, we got to watch them prior to our match.

Overall, a good regional with a lot of competition, but very little ramps. I saw only 3 decent to good ones IMO. they will be in demand.:D

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Best day ever!!!!!!


Got my teams picture taken with DAVE!!!!!


Loving Life!!!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

yea i know, sorry about that.

i wouldn't be stupid enough to try to hit you guys off the ramps during the last final seconds when you guys weren't even on. our victors were switched during that match which made the one motor on the left side that made our robot unable to turn correctly and thus making our robot moving backwards when i tried to turn and get back to our home zone.

it was a good match nonetheless. sorry about that "penalty/foul" we fixed the problem so that won't happen again

good luck to everyone on saturday!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Thanks to the 3 hour time difference, 1155 was able to gather in a room and watch you guys via the NASA feed. Keep up the great work and hopefully we'll see you guys in Atlanta.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I've noticed the head ref interpreting rules on the fly and not being consistent in his calls especially about home zone infractions, the wedge rule and aggressive or unsafe play. I will elaborate more after the competition is over, but several notable teams have complained about the same situation.

As for the 'random' matches...
There seems to be some system to the order and alignment of alliances. We've played with 440 at least twice and were with team 79 twice. It seems like every time we have a match 254 is either 1-2 matches before or after. The match lists here seems better than other regionals, but still leaves room for improvement. Overall though, most alliances were fair.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Good to hear your explanation, it didn't make sense. I appreciate your situation.

I didn't even know what robot did it, mainly it was the call by refs. From what I understand being here remotely in Orlando that the refs were not clear to the drivers what you could or could not do for the end game.

I am not complaining about the refs, for they are giving a lot to do this, just wanted clarification.

We are proud of our team, they played well, fought hard auto doing well and bot just does not break down. Other than our position in rank things are good.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I'd like to echo this statement, as that's pretty much exactly how we feel too.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Hmmm,

In the 3:24 PM Match 1885's FlatCat & Pink are on the same alliances. Score is 170 to zip, 1885's FlatCat & Pink & Ally (989) win.
In the 4:06 PM Match 1885's FlatCat & Pink are on opposing alliances. Score is 64 to 16, FlatCat & Allies (815 & 1425) win.

Maybe there is a pattern here? :);)

On the other hand... The 3:24 Match is Friday's High Score and only one other score is close to it (Pink's previous match with allies 2034 and 1110).

Go Pink! Go purple FlatCat!

Blake

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

1- 1425/254/1983
2- 2061/1641/359
3- 1517/79/842
4- 233/1885/4
5- 1572/1538/8
6- 39/987/597
7- 60/1902/815
8- 2034/108/1492

I can't read all the numbers very well of the webcast, so I apologize for any teams that are incorrect

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

PREDICTIONS:
QF:
1 beats 8
7 beats 2
6 beats 3
4 beats 5

SF:
1 beats 4 (very close though, wouldn't be surprised if 4 can sneak it out)
6 beats 7

Finals:
1 beats 6

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Well then - Here's to being sneaky!

Go Pink & Purple & Blue! Alliance #4.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

how did 1902 drop that far??? ive only heard amazing things about them!!!

1 over 8
7 over 2
6 over 3
4 over 5
semis
4 over 1
6 over 7
finals
6 over 4

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Just one of those days. We played well, auto worked 7 out 8.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I was just watching Quarterfinal 1 match 2, and I swear I never saw the red ramp bot sticking out of the home zone with it's ramps down. The referee came over immediately to measure, but I am pretty sure they were never sticking out.

On the other hand, you can see that rank means little with the 108 being 51/51, but playing great defense for their alliance.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I saw that too, but it may have happened while the camera was looking elsewhere.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Wow, that has to be the first time there were six penalties on one alliance, and that there were two robots in the opposing home zone. I feel for the red alliance there as it seems that both robots had drive issues.

Well, the announcer just said 20 seconds and 4 penalties each, which is incorrect.
EDIT: Glad the announcer corrected it, but it's still an unfortunate looking couple of mechanical failures.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

He just corrected it. Can anyone tell me what happened that caused both robots to get stuck? It appeared the 4 was having problems driving, and that 1885 just wasn't.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Pink is gone, there alliance partners took 60 points in penalties.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I was wondering this as well. Looked like 4 had a chain jump or other failure on one side of there drive, they were kind of spinning in circles. Not sure about 1885.



Impressive match by 60/1902/815!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Yet another event that I haven't seen at any other regional this year:

A robot doesn't get any bonus because its corner breaks the home zone plane.

Las Vegas is craaaazzzy:ahh:

EDIT: To add to that remark... The red alliance flings a ringer over their keeper, which should somehow negate a keeper if I remember the rules correctly.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Keeper still counts

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

When the team gets back (or in a cell call) I'll certainly want to hear what they guys on the field say about both the Home Zone infraction that was called and the very suspicious simultaneous incapacitation of two red robots.

:-(

C'est la vie

Thanks for the alliance invite that moved us up from 7th to 4th Pink!

Atlanta next - Put two solid hangers on the field with our arm and our ramps there, and watch the points roll up. I think we and Pink and 989 still hold the Regional's high score....

Blake
PS: SOAP folks and everyone else involved - Thanks for the webcast!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Any clue what happened to 987?

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

You got to the rulebook quicker than I could... ;)

I was not sure if FIRST was making sure that double scoring was bad for an alliance regardless, but I suppose they placed the autonomous advantage higher than that.

It was still one of those things you don't expect to see.:)

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

What was the penalty for in the last quarter final match? They called a penalty on the red alliance. I totally missed it. Thanks.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

They just advanced to the Semifinals with the 6th seeded alliance to face the 7th seeded alliance.

Outside of the bumper zone contact, which is usually arm to arm combat or something similar.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I keep it in a folder on my desktop :D. It even had an awesome visual chart showing me if it counted and what rule to reference.

If I had to guess the intent of the "double scoring" rule, I would guess that it is related to spoilers. As a spoiler cannot be placed on a spider where a team has scored 2 of their own ringers, the GDC wanted to prevent this as a way to prevent spoiling. So they made doing it the same as spoiling.

Because a keeper can't be spoiled, the rule isn't required in this case.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

You're welcome! Remember, everything is being archived on the fly, so you can get all of your videos asap.

- Matt & Shara

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

The King is Dead. :-(
Long live the King! :-)

260 from a full row - Not too Shabby Alliance #1

We bow to the masters.

Blake

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Mhm, the reason that double ringers don't count is because it wouldn't leave enough room for spoilers (plus rules say only the first two tubes on count for any scoring). But cus a keeper can't be spoiled anyway, it still counts, but wastes a ringer for that alliance.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I must agree with both of you on the intent of the relevant rules.
....

Back on the subject of Vegas being a crazy regional. I feel for the Bacon alliance #7. They have to go for the alternate option, and after playing some very good defense, 2069 goes down in its first match as well.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

LVR is awesome. We got a chance to play against some truly amazing teams, and even knock off the Pink team. I guess there's some karma though, because the other big NASA team (the Poofs) knocked us off. Congratulations to them for advancing tp the finals (and I predict winning them too) and thanks to our alliance partners, 1538 and 1572.

-Guy

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Well, just as I thought that last Semifinal was exciting....

The first Finals match had everything: Keepers, Ringers, and Ramps.... just no spoiler removed. That was impressive and very close. That spoiler certainly affected things.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Amazingly close. The only thing wrong was 5 beat 4 right?

Congrats to 254, 1485, and 1983!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Congrats to 1425, 254 and 1983 on win! well played, good job to all involved

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I agree it was a amazing good prediction, I was hoping to break that with 7 beating 6, but you were right.

congrats to the winners.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Congrats 1425 I'm happy another Oregon team is going to the championship. You guys deserved it!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Thanks, Good Job In San Diego FC!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Yeah it was an amazing competition. Team 1983 was happy to be there!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Anybody have any suggestions on how a rookie team (team 1983) can get some quick funds so that our robot doesn't end up in Atlanta on its own? We won the competition as well as rookie all star, so we ended up making a last minute decision to send it, but we don't have the money to get ourselves there. Anything helps.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Radio failure. 4's radio failed both matches, and ours failed the second match. Red radio light blinking on both of our control boards. Hitting IO reset and robot reset, we regained control for just a second, and lost it again. Because we happened to end up in the home zones, we lost 60 points. We were supposed to win that one too -- 68 to whatever the other team had. The radios on the field lost contact with us, not the other way around. 4 other robots at other moments in the finals tournament lost control -- they simply didn't end up in the home zone and for the most part didn't affect their winning/losing. The IFI guy came by our station when our radio died, he went and looked at our radio -- solidly connected, and red light was on for no connectivity. Believedly the same thing for 4, perhaps with more or less connectivity returning. Later, the refs/IFI people messed with the radios, and fixed the issue (but not until the finals -- it happened to other teams after us too). What I was extremely disappointed in was the reaction from the referees. Without further occurances, they were not going to even review the issue. They only talked to our alliance captain, who was not on either team that messed up. IFI said it wasn't our robot. Later matches proved it wasn't our robots, but the stations we were connected to. So, we lost our second match and were knocked out of the corner finals. It's done. After we were shooed off having been told that further occurances would produce a review... yeah, we knew we weren't getting back on the field. The penalties were final.

Yeah... a bit disappointing.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

On behalf of team 987 we want to first thank 39 for picking us and 597 , we were a great alliance and the finals were amazing!
thanks again !
and hope to see you soon
natalia

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Congrats to 254, 1425, and 1983!

Though I couldn't be there, I did watch the webcast and there were so many amazing matches (especially with 254's high scores). It's neat to see an experienced team, a mid-aged team, and a rookie team join together and do such a great job. See you all in Atlanta, I hope!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Thanks to all who came to the 3rd LVR and made this such an awesome regional! Congratulations to teams 1425, 254 and 1983 on your win over our alliance of 39, 987 and 597 in the finals. Thanks especially to team 39 for choosing us to again be your partners and of course to 1983 (both teams are class acts).

Unbelievable, intense and aggressive game play made for much suspense and turned up the defensive notch in this game another level. Watch one of the matches in archive where 987 pushed another bot and the whole rack a couple of feet while defending a row...The field has now become a true battlefield with no prisoners taken...yes there were some penalties that should have been called but most of the conflict was clean. The crowd was lively and obviously didn't want to see team 987 threepeat but good natured in their rooting for the visiting teams. We are on to Atlanta and hope to see so many of the realy great teams that joined us here. As an advisor and committee member of the LVR that plans and helps run the regional, I look forward to your returns to make next year's LVR even better and again thank you for making this regional so special!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Really nice job 987, 597, and 39. That was the toughest defense/offense combo I've ever seen. You guys are so great.:D

Thanks 254 and 1983 you guys were awesome alliance partners. And 1983, you have to be the most awesomest (yes awesomest,) rookie team I have ever seen, thanks for doing a great job, we were so happy to have you on our team. 254 you did great (as usual, 'nogh said.)

See ya'll in Atlanta (I hope.)



-Luke the Happy Scoutin' Guy

P.S. Blue Alliance!!:D

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

What an amazing regional. I watched the whole thing on the web and it was one of the best I've seen yet.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

LAS VEGAS WAS AMAZING!

Thank you 254 and 1425 for making our rookie year awesome. Funny thing is we had to bring the trophey through security at the airport and i had to bring it through. They thought it was a bomb and the whole team had a good laugh. It is true that we may not have the funds to go to Atlanta, but we sent the robot, and we are gunna do whatever it takes to get there. If anyone has any suggestions on funds, hotels, flights, etc it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you once again to all team!

-Zach Wydick
Team 1983 President and Human Player

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Congrats to team 254, 1425 and 1983 for a well deserved regional win in an offensive Las Vegas regional. unfortunately for our team we weren't picked for any of the 8 alliances but ranked 15th as a rookie team.

On the bad side, being and senior on a rookie team and enjoying every waking moment in the pit as well as on the playing field and in the stands makes me want to become a freshman in high school again.

Thank you to all the teams who competed in the Las Vegas Regional for making this experience and event one that i will cherish and build upon forever.

-Ryan

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Las Vegas Regional was amazing. The competition was on another level than the other regionals I have watched. Thanks to team 39 for picking us and being great partners, and big thanks to 597 as well. The finals matches were so intense. I'm willing to bet some of the alliances in the Las Vegas eliminations were stronger than some of the divinal winner alliances will be in Atlanta!!

Congrats 1425, 254, and 1983

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

We lost to a great alliance, but with a fight. ^_^
Thank you team 39 and 987 for choosing us, you guys are the best.

and Congrats 1425, 254, and 1983

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I agree, the competition at LV was very intense and fun. Thanks to all of our partners in the qualifying rounds, and most of all thank you to 254 and 1983, our partners in the elimination matches. You performed above the expectations we had when we were selecting you as partners. (even though the expectations were great...which is why we wanted to play with you :-D)

Thanks also to the regional finalists, 39, 987, and 597 - you gave us some great matches at the end.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

You might try re-approaching your existing sponsors and see what they might be able to do. Any company that wants to fund a rookie team in the first place will probably be more than willing to kick in more money for a Regional Champion AND Rookie All Star team. Talk it up, and I'm sure they'll agree that you've earned it.

Companies like the good press from sponsoring teams, but they like the great press from sponsoring *winning* teams even more.

When 1885 won Rookie All Star last year, we immediately appealed to our existing sponsors and the county school board (which had not previously funded us), letting them know how our situation had changed, what a big deal the All Star award is for a rookie team, and what a great event the Championship is. We got great responses, with our main sponsor (Lockheed Martin) covering the Atlanta entrance fee, the school board helping out with travel, and some other sponsors digging a little deeper too.

You might also look to parents. Many teams have students/parents pay all their own travel costs, and a good percentage of the parents of our team's students have been willing and able to provide, given the merits of FIRST. Also, this year we had several generous families donate funds specifically for the purpose of covering students who weren't otherwise able to travel with us.

Every situation is different, but it never hurts to ask.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Thanks for the advise. Our major problem is that we don't have many sponsors at all, and those, like our PTSA, have already given up a significant amount of their budget for us. Many people, like our coach, have not been reinbursed for many purchases either. SPEEA has been our major sponsor outside of school, but it would most likely take too long to get any money from them because they have to hold meetings and such. It looks like the parents are going to have to bear most of the load, unfortunately we are a small team, and that is a lot of money. It looks like NASA might cover our registration though because we never got a NASA grant in the beginning. It sounded like that was a contributing factor in our all star award too.

We're doing our best to find some quick new sponsors and definitely playing up our recent accomplishments.

Thanks again to 1425 and 254! You guys were great!

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

gl on finding funding, and hope to see you there

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I must say that the Las Vegas Regional was not a very good regional. We've attended the regional every year of its existence and I must say that this year's event was the worst competition (off-season events included) that I have been to.

The production setup was poor to say the least. You could see shadows of the stage lighting on the projection screen, the stage lighting was dark and the projector seemed off.

The inspectors, more specifically the head inspector was entirely inappropriate. He humiliated the students, mentors and parents on our team. He seemed to not know the rules and misinterpreted many of them and therefore was not going to let us pass, even though we passed at a previous regional. When he did pass us, he made it seem like he was passing us because he felt bad for us and ended the inspection by calling us 'ignorant'. If anyone on the Las Vegas planning committee is reading this, I would highly recommend you not let this person be involved with your event again, period.

The reffing was some of the worst I have ever seen at a FIRST competition. I saw several matches where multiple ringers that were clearly legal were not scored. The head ref was not consistent in his calls, and he seemed to loosely follow the rule book. He told some teams when they would try to contest calls that he did not have time and had 'better things to do'. We were not the only team to have problems with the head ref. I talked to several teams during the course of the competition and they all seemed to be having similar problems.

Obviously a lot can change next year, but I would advise teams considering Las Vegas as a possible regional next year to be cautious.

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

From what I've seen and remember, the lead inspector was very 'loose' with his interpretations of the rules. Some of them he just kind of checked off, on others he gave us semi-related advice, and on other he was strict.

The reffing, however, was truly bad. From the complete lack of calls for ramming until the eliminations (which is way too late and misleading - ramming could've changed quite a few qualifying matches, and teams that adapted to the loose rulings were hit with penalties during eliminations), to the lack of knowledge of th refereeing staff (I asked three different referees about when we can step past the line after autonomous, and got three different answers), to restarting one match because of the rack falling apart to not restarting another (which is another thing I haven't seen in any other regional), I was really unhappy with the quality of refereeing.

We had fun, and we'll probably be back next year, but these are the kinds of things that just leave a bad taste in your mouth when it's all said and done.

-Guy

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Well, the reffing was a little loose and in some matches there should have been a penalty when there was not, and in some there should have been some what there was none called. As for the Rack falling apart, my own feelings is that it is ridiculous to restart, just tighten a few bolts an we are good. But you have to remember, the teams have already scored and have had time to plan further, making it unfair for the opposing team, because the other team already knows what is going on. (I think we lost that round when they restarted too....but thats besides the point) So in all fairness, restarting after that match was probably for a fair call. The other time the rack broke was a simple 2 second fix, not enough time to plan or do anything on either side.

Fortunately we did not encounter any problems with the inspector, just a simply go around of are all the edges shaved, wires plugged in, pneumatics attached ect. Although if what i hear is true, there is no excuse for that. We as teams are here to have fun not to be humiliated and labeled as "ignorant". I know that people have their bad days, but I am sorry, that is not excusable. All you have to say is "hey guys, you have sharp edges and a couple of loose wires, if you could fix that all you need is to be weighed and you are done."

I had fun, and as a team we changed into a better team not only experience wise, but attitude wise as well. We will most likely go back if we have the funds next year, but we are hoping that the PNW is in Seattle next year.....that would cut down on expenditures a lot.

Well, just my 2 cents

Brian Richards, 1983 Mechanic/Operator

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

Team 1983 was lucky not to have the lead inspector inspect us. I went up to him first earlier in the day and he was just downright rude to me and the team. I waited until one of his assistants was available and had him inspect us and as Brian said, the assistant was much better than the lead

Re: 2007 Las Vegas
 

I intend to follow up with the FIRST folks about the proper procedure to follow when the radios fail during a match. They are as much a part of the field (if not more) than a leg of a spider.

Every indication is that the elimination (and some qual) rounds were dramatically affected by radio failures; and at the time(s) I presumed it would be grounds for blowing the fog horn and restarting or replaying the match. However, I'm not sure this is what FIRST wants to do.

I think the topic does need to be covered explicitly somewhere on paper.

Blake