Greater Toronto Regional
 

We are a team based in Northern Indiana and we were wondering if we wanted to go to the Toronto Regional, would we need passports? and Would it be hard to get Passports for the whole team?

Re: Toronto Regional
 

passports would be reccomended. abut getting them in the US? im not sure, but Canada it's pretty easy

Re: Toronto Regional
 

Some good info on the following link.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ight=passports

If you contact Karen Rosenthal she can give you info about shipping your robot to make it cheaper and safer. Info for Karen is at:

http://www.firstroboticscanada.org/site/contact

Hope to see your team in Toronto 2008.

Re: Toronto Regional
 

Passports are pretty easy to get, but you MUST allow for extra time to get them, as delays are not a rare occurrence. The main problem with a team getting them is price; for my Canadian passport it was about $100CAD, the US one was a little cheaper, but not by much. Although it is a good idea to possess a passport, it would probably be more realistic to have the team go the photo ID route.

Re: Toronto Regional
 

The rules about US citizens going to canada seemed to be written so that the rules could be changed quickly with little notice. I believe (don't quote me on this) that they would only give 60 days of notice if they changed the rules.

Anyway, Aces High is making sure that we don't run into any problems and all team member going to GTR must have a passport. We don't want to have any problems at the boarder.

Re: Greater Toronto Regional
 

First of all, let me vouch for the high quality of GTR... it is a great regional. Not that I've seen a bad regional yet, but GTR is outstanding, especially in "super regional" years. In fact over the past four years we've flown across the continent four times to be part of the show, and this year will likely be our fifth. If you happen to have a chance to make it to Niagara Falls, too, well then so much the better.

Second of all, thank you for the reminder about passports, as the rules for entering the USA are getting stricter all the time. While Americans are generally welcome to come up to Canada without a passport (and always have been) it is ironically getting home that is an issue.

Fortunately school groups have been deemed to be "low risk". I quote:

"Will children be required to present passports under the rule?

As announced by the departments on Feb. 22, 2007, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 and children age 18 and under traveling in designated school or youth groups could carry birth certificates. U.S. children could also present Consular Reports...."

The plan to get passports for all team members is a good idea, but judging from the above it should not be mandatory. Some other things you want to consider when competing internationally are:

1) Medical Insurance

2) Parental consent, particularly in the case of children of divorced parents... consent from both parents is typically required to cross an international border. (Although no one has checked on that the last three years for us.)

3) Non USA/Canadian citizens... may need to get VISA clearances early. We have had a situation where one student did not get his VISA cleared up in time and had to stay home, and another where he was listed on his mother's VISA... she had to travel with him. (She had a great time, by the way.)

4) You'll think I'm joking... but ask if anyone has a criminal record. I asked as joke once, and am glad I did. One of our members, unknown to anyone on the team, had done something stupid a year or two earlier and could have been very embarassed if they had checked him out at the border. Crossing a border with a criminal record... even for minor crimes committed as a youth is not something to be taken lightly.

5) Watch for the "roaming" fees on your cell phones...

Hope to see you in Toronto in the spring,

Jason

2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Team 1676 is making their first trip up to the Great White North (which happens to be my home country & country of citizenship) for GTR!*

*(or at least we're supposed to be- we still have to register)*


So, who's going? Who do we get to meet?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

you get to meet us!!! 1565!! w0000 toronto regional is the best!!!!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

you get to meet me!!! and the rest of team 1565

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

GAAAAA....he beat me to it.....

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Team 188 - The Force from the North - Blizzard

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Team 1503 from Niagara Falls will be there, of course. Should be fun; too bad it's not a Super Regional this year.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I assume by Super Regional you mean 2-fielder? I thought it was always that way. Did they change the venue from years past?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

The venue is, as ever, the Hershey Centre (a hockey arena). However, the size of the event varies from year to year, and the number of fields also varies accordingly. If there's sufficient demand for places (likely >60), FIRST and the regional committee might commit to the second field.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I'm currently in the process of raising funds to send myself up to volunteer... and also in the process of convincing my mom to let me fly alone :rolleyes:

I'd love to go to GTR.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

It's confirmed! Team 1676 is coming to GTR (provided we pay, of course). The trip was approved by our superintendent sometime in the past few days, and we should be listed as registered for the competition, so we'll be there!

Re: Toronto Regional
 

2008 will be 176's second year straight going to GTR if I remember correctly?

I'm curious what led to GTR being one of your choices for a regional with your team being from CT (as my team is), and picking an out of country regional choice as your "travel regional". Usually we do a "travel regional" but stick with one a few hours/or states away.

PM me, or post here if you're cool with sharing why you chose GTR.
Thanks.

Re: Toronto Regional
 

Last year we were looking for a second regional that wasn't consecutive with the CT regional and was reasonably close. The closest were full (and are again this year). Toronto was brought up because we had heard about it at the BAE one year and had kept the idea on the back burner. Two reasons we would like to go back are that we would like to check out the City and Niagara and we had a great time at a really well run event. Our pit guys were already making plans to return before alliances were picked last year. The bus ride was very smooth and not tiring like we feared. If you can, check it out :)

Re: Toronto Regional
 

Hey, a question from me to all teams out there who have attended Toronto previously. When I visited Mississauga over winter break to check out the layout of the city for when we come up as a team (I was up visiting family & friends), I stopped by the Playdium as well. The representative at the hotel said he knew that a lot of teams went there, and when we talked to a manager at the Playdium, he said that the place was mobbed on Friday night, and that they had special pricing available for FIRST teams.

So, after that background, here are my questions:

1. Does your team go to the Playdium?
2. Is it well received by team members (do they enjoy it)?
3. How long do you recommend staying there?
4. For your time recommendation, how much can you expect to spend per person?

Thanks for your help, guys.

Re: Toronto Regional
 

1. We've gone in the past, but not ever year.
2. Most enjoy it, although some are tired after a day of competition and practice and would prefer to go rest at the hotel.
3. 2-3 hours.
4. I think we've typically gotten the $20 all inclusive play card, but purchased at a group rate.

Re: Toronto Regional
 

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

so I'm going to dig up this old thread and ask who all is coming to toronto and anyone got big plans at toronto for that weekend?? Has your team come up with anything special for the toronto regional this year??

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Team 1006 will be there. If you wanna come say "hi" I'm our team's videographer so I'll have the camera with me everywhere...and I'll also be the only person on our team with a fedora.:P

Re: Toronto Regional
 

glad you guys had fun last year, and look forward to seeing you back at GTR. what day are you guys heading up?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Oh my God you copy cat! I was the guy last year with the fedora at the GTR and Waterloo!!! lol. :P its ok though, we can be fedora buddies!

See you in GTR

Re: Toronto Regional
 

Heading up Wednesday and leaving Sunday morning. Just now finalizing evening plans. See you then!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

yeah you wanna gat those early because it can take quite awile.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

a fedorah hmm? well that is easy... btw that banner thing you haveve totally blew my mind

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Awesome! I'll be at Waterloo too. See you there.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

The penguin?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

we should totally start a fedora club for the canadian regionals lmao

whos with me!?!?!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Definately. Fedora's ftw!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Found out mine is technically a "Alpine Fedora" cause its from Germany and had a feather. Who knew??

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Anyone on the advance team for their team? I'm on the 1006 one.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

yep I'll be there!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

anybody know if there is going to be a social there?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

According to the GTR agenda http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedfiles..._ON_Agenda.pdf
there is no social
some teams make their own socials by going to dinner with other teams or going to playdium (big arcade type place)

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

1676 is going to the playdium on Thursday night.

Speaking of which, it may be a little late now, but I have a question for area residents/teams that have attended before: (at least this year) the Playdium offers two different packages. One's a two for one on credits (160 credits instead of 80 for the same price), and one is 80 credits and a meal voucher or something. Here's my question: for people with experience at the Playdium, which is the better idea? Will a person run through 160 credits easily, or is 80 enough? Should we get the 160 credits anyways, even if we won't finish them, because the meal prices are realistic and buying your own food isn't a big deal?

Looking for opinions/commentary on this...

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

the 2 hour unlimited is probably the best deal, but I guess it depends on what games you want to play since some games are exclude on the unlimited card.
I would go with the 160credit if you're not planning on getting the unlimited card, because the credit value varies depending the game you play. I'll call them later and ask what the credit for games range from.
i'm guessing you'll have more then 3 people go so the price for the 160credit is 22.50, so its a $0.50 difference between the unlimited and160 credit

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Another question from 1676: Communication. How do American teams communicate with each other at Canadian regionals? Cell phone prices are outrageous, and as far as I know, we can't have radios (walkie-talkie's) at the competition. My guess would be just to send runners to find someone, but I'm not sure.

In addition, are there any other tips American teams that have been to Canadian regionals before have for our team? Since we (my family) are Canadian, we have an idea, but we certainly don't know everything.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

bring a warm jacket, from past exerience (i've been to every Canadian Regional/GTR since it started) we had snow on the first day of the competition and by saturday its warm and sunny outside. I think for the first few years it was always cold on the first day when we had to wait outside to get in open the crates.
can't think of anything else, but if you have anymore questions feel free to ask

For all teams if you need to do a food/parts run you can find me in team 1605's pit ask for Vince and I can take one of your mentors with me

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I wouldn't be too worried about this, yes, GTR is held in the biggest venue I've been to a FIRST event in, but its usually not a problem, as long as you organize where your team members are going to be in the stands. (Yes, I know, Atlanta, but 1075 has never been... no money)

Cell Phone prices are outrageous for all us non-mississauga canadian teams too, I know my cell phone will kill me for roaming if I use it... Also, if cell phones ARE your way of communication, I believe text messaging with most US carriers is only about 15 cents a message when you're in canada. Of course, check with your specific carrier to be sure.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Most important advice to American teams (which won't apply this year):

If it's anywhere near April 1st, beware of individuals with funny-colored hair. They come bearing false and temporarily disturbing information. :yikes:

As for communication, we always just bit the bullet and used our cell phones - some phones (including my Sprint phone) didn't work at all. I believe you need a GSM phone to even have a chance at roaming. Perhaps that has changed.

Also - AVOID THE ETR 407 (Express Toll Route). The people running that scam like to steal American money and line their pockets with it. There are no toll booths - they use cameras to record your license plate - you'll get a lovely bill in the mail at your home.

There are many useful stores in the vicinity of the Hershey Centre - huge grocery stores, a Home Depot, etc. Ask the locals.

Lick's (great hamburger joint) and Montana's on Hurontario (between 401 and 403) are good places to eat - all in the same plaza. There's also a good pizza place there, whose name escapes me.

If you get a chance to go to Niagara Falls, go. It makes a great side trip. Typically you should stop there for a few hours on the way into Canada.

I can't think of anything else to "watch out for" at the GTR. It's so well organized and operated, you really have to search for things to complain about.

Have fun!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Remember no food is to be brought into the arena.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

LOL.. That's the 407 actually not the 207 and yes it is a scam.. even for us Canadians. It's actually to aviod the traffic Toronto gets during Rush Ho... wait....anytime in the day....

I think the best best for communication, is to know where everyone is sitting (or the majority of people) and do runs.. and if you have to use something else, texting seems the way to go!

Have Fun and See you there!!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

that is correct, we usually eat in the parking lot, hopefully it will be warm outside

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Hey Travis, how come 48 isn't coming to GTR this year... it won't be the same without you guys.

Hopefully 1075 will meet up with you at an offseason... maybe Wonderland (if it happens) or Kettering or RaChaCha.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

We decided after 6 years of supporting the event since its inception, it was time to change things up a bit for our "far" regional to give the kids a bit of variety. What we may do is rotate between Midwest and GTR here and there, depending on how the regional schedule works out from year to year. I'd be inclined to go to both in the same year, but that's another story.

The Midwest Regional was an all-around great experience for us - very comparable to the GTR with a new fun setting in the city of Chicago. Plus it was like GTR South with the three Canadian teams in attendance.

Canada's Wonderland (if they arrange for it this year - I'd bet on it) and Kettering Kickoff are definite possibilities this offseason, although in not taking a bus, I think any of our students going to Wonderland would have to have a passport - that may be a hindrance. We also hope to go to IRI, as usual.

Best of luck to all who compete at the GTR, which, given the many dedicated volunteers who work their butts off to plan it, will continue to be an excellent event, with or without 48 in attendance. A special shout out to fellow Delphi teams 378, 703, and 1507, who will all be competing there.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

so does anyone know if GTR is 1 field or 2 this year?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I haven't seen anywhere saying that there is two fields so I am assuming there is only one. Can anyone comfirm??

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I think you need over 70 teams to have more than one field. At least that was the offer in CT. New Jersey and New York also have over 60 teams on one field.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I am betting GTR will break the current national record placed in waterloo of 168 points.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

im going to try to work really well with 1114 in a qualification match and see if we can beat our own record.

you might just see a 200 point match

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Yikes! Into what have we gotten ourselves?

Toronto sounds like it's going to be excellent, can't wait for the bus ride to start...

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Toronto is traditionally one of the biggest regionals, and one that often sets a high score for a game. I think thats partly due to its nature being a week 5 regional (its always been late in the season), and because it gets alot of the best teams from the Michigan, Upstate NY, and Ohio areas. It was the FIRST super-regional. Never mind the pool of Canadian talent, in 1114, 2056, 1503, 1680, 296, 772, 188, and so on.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

woohoo GTR is just a few days away, well it looks like we might be getting some snow thursday and friday so bring a jacket.
and for those out of province teams that are driving up, watch your speed limit, with the new 50 over law (50km/h over speed limit), your car automatically gets impounded for 1 week and your licence is suspended for 1 week and you face a minimum $2,000 fine. Nobody should be driving that fast in the first place.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

50 over the limit? Goodness, that's too fast and should be punished*. Those penalties do not sound too harsh, either - duh, just drive at the limit...

1075guy's post has me worried. I mean, GTR is legendary, but will 1676 be able to compete? I guess we'll try our very best and see what happens. Maybe some of that famous Canadian luck will rub off on us. Or Team Waldo will help us find our way. I just hope we don't embarrass ourselves.

Anyway: we'll be there in about 49 hours. See you then.

Don

*and this is from someone who drives the Autobahn regularly.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Remember Don, we measure in km/h up here, 50 over is really only about 25-30 over for you.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

That's still a lot over the limit- highways in NJ generally range from 55-65 mph, so that's like one and a half times the limit- a lot when you realize that that's 90-odd miles an hour.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

is somebody willing to do a ustream web cast for Thursday. Discovery i think is doing Friday and Saturday only right?

the canuk 2step (waterloo and GTR back to back) is one of my favorite times of the FIRST calender year. not only do you get to see the same dominant Canadian powerhouses like 1114, 1503, 188, and ...1305, but you get to see variant talent, like T3 coming to waterloo, or the great 2006 alliance of Division by Zero (Team Element,(4), the Thunder Chickens (217), and Division By Zero (229).). alnog with Ace is High visiting last year.

I really wanted to attend this regional this year, but because of spring break being a week too late, it sucks to be me...

Im REALLY looking forward to this weekend...

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Good question...my dad just asked me about that. Since we're down here in NJ, we have people who want to watch us compete via a webcast, or something similar. Is anyone (person, team, or organization i.e. Discovery- Canada or US?) broadcasting the regional?

"The canuck two-step" - :D ...that's a new one. I like it!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

reminder to let all the media know about this week's events at the Hershey centre, that means start pounding all the TV and radio stations, newspapers, wire services, community cable 10 (rogers) and send those press releases to those assignment desks, producers and news directors and tell them WHY they should put a reporter on the story and how about some story ideas? angles? interesting story about someone on you're team or you're team.....something that makes this a story.

I am going to try and be there, for Global news in Toronto and if not me personally I have and keep promoting the story idea all week and to the weekend crew for Saturday as well, I also shoot for the Weather Network and with the snowy winter we have had here I have leads on two teams that almost didn't make it due to road closures due to the snowstorms so I am going to try hard to get to come down to the GTR and shoot a ton of video and clips and get it on the air.

I can't speak for the other stations but I am sure others will make sure they are aware of the event.

In news the sad reality is that it's really tough to get coverage for something that is good......but both Global and TWN obviously are heavy into weather so I am going to play the weather angle as my way of getting them interested.

and when contacting media...TV, radio, local papers, major papers, wire services in adddtion to telling what this is all about you have to make sure they know what they will see and hear at the event and how big it really is or they won't chance it and send a camera and reporter.

I work in news and I have a heck of a time selling any ideas so you got to come up with something interesting to get them....interested in covering this story.

Explain what FIRST is well and that is a good start and then if there is something special about you're team or a team member...put that in as well and of course team number and contact info, if a crew can't find you at the venue in 10 minutes flat.....they won't keep looking, depending on the reporter make that 1 min and 45 seconds and I am being kind :)

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Mark's right. It's time to put up or shut up when it comes to Dean's homework. We need as many people to hit the news outlets, and come up with as many angles to cover FIRST as possible.

Tech, human interest, business, weather, anything!

Here are some Toronto news room e-mail addresses to get started with:

news@citynews.ca
http://www.cbc.ca/local_includes/tor...x_toronto.html
science@ctv.ca
news@ctv.ca
globalnews.tor@globaltv.com
city@thestar.ca
torsun.citydesk@sunmedia.ca

If you have any more, please post them to this thread!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

The link to the webcast is :

http://www.ctvdigital.com/discovery/first/player.html

This webcast is to be covered by Discovery Channel here in Canada on Friday and Saturday. They do interviews between matches and show different angles from those only seen on FIRST webcasts if it is the same as last year. I was told that there may even be HD webcast.

It was asked if there could be a webcast Thursday, not that I know of. All of the DSL's are being used unless I pull one from the pits and that would be a bit of work.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Thanks for that info Steve! I'll send it on to my dad and the team.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

whats everybody doing at night? playdium? laser quest? i feel like challenging Steve, i heard he is pretty good :P

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

We're headed to Playdium Thursday night. If anyone else is going, let us know.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Vince I am pretty good, however, I have retired for playing Laser Quest after my problems in Rochester. I knew that I was somewhat allergic to the smoke but I guess that after 10 years of not playing I got worse. I am still having problems with my voice and hope that I can keep it for GTR.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

hope your voice gets better Steve.
i think some people from 1605 will be heading to playdium but don't know which day yet

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Looks like Thursday is when we go also :)

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

anyone know if there is internet access in the pits?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Adding to that: Will Sundial be up again this year??

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Also:

Team 2200 is in desperate need of the LH (Left Hand) 9 tooth (output gear) Keyang motors.

You can identify them by the LH marking on the power connector. And by them having a 9 tooth gear.

If any team has one that they are not using and could bring it alot it would be appreciated. We went through 4 of them at waterloo.

Thanks alot,
Adam Bochek
-FRC 2200

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

No worries! we will bring another one for you (we brought you one last time too :D)

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Discovery Channel has a good intro for those wondering about FIRST and this years event. Check it out : http://www.discoverychannel.ca/shows....aspx?sid=7826

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I appreciate it! we keep wearing these out, oh well thats what spares are for!

- Bochek

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I'm afraid not. I've been asked by FIRST not to run Sundial at events this year due to interference concerns with the field system.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I'm not even sure how this is possible, but it is a downer. I really missed it at waterloo. And i'm sure i will miss it attending GTR for the first time.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

...What field system? Sundial runs on 802.11 [2.4ghz], and AFAIK everything about the field runs on 900mhz... So no RF interference... the only place even possible to introduce issues is where it connects to the statistics from the field, and that should be purely an input thing.

Never mind that at GTR RF interference is highly unlikely due to pits/field being separated by so much distance.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Yes indeed the problem is with the interface. FIRST believes that with Sundial accessing the database that it causes a problem. Better safe than sorry is a good motto.

People asked if there will be wireless in the pits. The answer is yes. I will be providing, thanks to Bell Canada, not 1 but 2 DSL lines that will be connected to 2 Cisco access points. This should allow a better throughput and better connection as the 2 access points will be farther apart and the more distant teams will now be closer. The access points will be running A/G/B but not N so bring the right cards.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

1114: We (1024) pretty much already know you're going to rock the Toronto regional, but we'd like to wish you best of luck anyways. ;)

Funny... that list of three teams to ever win three regionals in one season looks to get longer mighty quick... :D

I don't really personally know any of the other teams at this regional.. so I'll give a hearty... GO TEAMS! (and may your field be malfunction free... unlike the cleveland field... kudos to the ifi guy for sticking with it.)

-q

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

OK, so when I said we'd leave in 49 hours, that meant really about 30 hours? :ahh:

Just kidding. Yeah, I drive in Europe all the time, and USA is really one of the very last to use the antiquated English system of Miles Per Hour. As I get older, I understand the value of dividing by powers of 10 instead of something random like 5280. 40 km/h is 25 MPH, almost exactly - and driving 65-70 in a 40 (MPH) zone is plenty good readon to lose your license AND pay huge fines. Even 90 in a 65 is pretty excessive.

OK, now it's down to about 49 minutes before we leave...

Don

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Well, I don't know if you've ever driven the 401 through Toronto area, but at points its a SIXTEEN lane cross section. It is very very easy to find oneself doing 130km/h, 140km/h and even more just keeping with traffic, when traffic is moving. When its stopped, you'll be lucky to see 40km/h.

I drive it all the time, and I'm never trying to go more than 120km/h (roughly 10mph over, and roughly michigan's highway speed limit.), but I often find myself being the slowest one of the group, and I'm STILL doing 135km/h

I've been being especially conscious of this since the 50 over law came out, as I don't have any particular interest in a $10,000 fine and having my car impounded on the spot.

Another thing for you out of provincers, If you are approaching an emergency vehicle on the shoulder, GET OUT OF THE RIGHT LANE. They have been fining a TON of people for this lately, as a few officers have been killed.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

So I thought I would throw out a question:

Out of all the teams attending GTR, which alliance would you think could take down the 1114/2056/???? alliance?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I think any robot, with a good drive train, and drivers that can keep pace with 1114 can slow them down enough to make it a amazing match to say the least

Not sure about team numbers... but I think there are teams that could do it!


PS. Bochek I'll be sure to stop at your pit with that motor for you tomorrow morning!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Thanks, appreciate it!

And theres another good option, that is to seed higher then both 1114 and 2056. Then pick the lower seed of the 2 to be on your alliance, Atleast then if they say no, there is no chance of them being on the same alliance.

- Bochek

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

hahahahahaha! that has been thrown around in Waterloo! but 2056 beat us to it!!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Someone will do it in GTR...

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

I think if you get your weakest bot to trap one of the opposing team's balls, then you've reduced their scoring ability by approximately 50% while reducing yours by a max of 33% (assuming your third bot produces 1/3rd of your points, which is unlikely). Even if the opposing team's more powerful hurdler takes over their 2nd ball, you've still probably hurt their scoring rate more than you've hurt yours.

The main problem in a match vs 1114/2056/???? is that they will probably score 5 + 3 + 2 lines and 2 balls in hybrid (56 points!), so even if you can shut down their in-game scoring, you're probably going to have a LONG way to catch up.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

agreed!

Roller claw team up anyone?? (our designs are similar lol) :P:D

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

ive been thinking about it, i hope we get a qualification match with you guys in GTR. We never got to play together in Waterloo.

- Bochek

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

agreed our record against eachother is 2 wins for you guys and 1 win for us. Not once did we play together. I think roller claws work well with other roller claws!

ROLLER CLAWS FOR THE WIN:D:D (thank you 121!:D)

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

we'll try and get a few practice matches together, we love to run as many as we can (we ran 6 straight in waterloo) and see what happens.

- Bochek

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

We'll be out to practise as soon as our upgrades are put on (we are making both the rollers and our arm faster, arm is roughly twice as fast, and rollers will be 3.8 times as fast or more, up to 5ish times)

See ya tomorrow!!

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Do you guys have any PID controll on the arm? increasing the speed is going to increase the difficulty of controlling it without PID.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

ahaha who needs sensors!? we have never used such things (or even complex code, which I am assuming is PID)

No worries my friend, the arm was toooooooooo slow in waterloo, it will be controllably faster for GTR.

If things get out of control, I know who to ask haha :D

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

tot he alliance that can beat 1114/2056/x. i don't think there is one that can do it at GTR

your best bet will have to be

a VERY consistent 2200. a VERY consistent 188. and a x robot, weather it be a 1503 or 2386, it's going to be a wait and see process...

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

who said 1114 and 2056 will be together? You guys are jumping a little too ahead of the game! :P (But yes, I do know it's something likely)

you'll never know how the rankings are going to turn out at each of these regionals. Just a reminder, don't forget that 188 as "inconsistent" as some of you say they are, they ended up seeding higher than 1114. it's really how these teams are going to play in Eliminations and how "lucky" they are with the way their alliance partners work in matches.

On another note, I wish luck to teams in attendance, and I'm sure that I am missing one heck of a regional.

Re: 2008 Greater Toronto Regional!
 

Probably anybody's best hope is to break those two up.

But just to give you everybody "fair warning" :] , you should really be watching a couple of newcomers. Interestingly, we also (like #1114) are coming in from the Niagara Frontier - only from the American side (Niagara County, NY). We (#1507) were seeded #1 in Rochester, and our sister team (#378) headed up the alliance that won the silver there. I wouldn't be surprised if one or both of us made it to the final round opposite 1114/2056. It would be kinda cool, too, if we were both on the SAME alliance in that final round, if those two can't be separated. Hey - you never know!

Anyway, good luck to all the teams, I'm getting a late start (heading out now) but I will look forward to seeing you all in action tomorrow. I couldn't find a Canadian/American dictionary, so I'll just have to wing it with the language barrier - bear with me, please! ;)