[sgreco]

I compiled this information on a thread a while ago....It's not entirely complete, but if it means anything to this conversation I have the drivetrains of the winning alliance members of the championships.

2010
67 – 8 WD
177 – 8 WD (articulated is sets of two, front and back)
294 – 6WD

2009
67 - 6WD wide
111 - 4 wheel crab (non-coaxial), wide
971 - 6WD wide

2008
1114 - 6WD long
217 - 6WD long
148 - three-wheeled crab (coaxial), nonagon-shaped robot

2007
177 - 6WD long
987 - 6WD long
190 - 6WD long

2006
217 - 6WD long
522 - Treads, long
296 - 2WD long, Omnis in front

2005
67 - three-wheeled crab (non-coaxial). Flop bot.
330 - 6WD long
503 – 4WD long, omniwheels in rear


2004
71 - 4WD long
494 - 4WD long
435 - 2WD long, with casters in front

2003
111 - Four-wheeled non-coaxial crab (with dropdown skid for turning)
469 – 4WD Long
65 - 4WD Wide

2002
71 - 4WD flop bot with casters in front
173 - 4WD long
66 – 4WD long

2001
71 - ?
294 - ?
125 - ?
365 - ?
279 - ?

2000
255 - ?
232 - ?
25 - ?

1999
176 - 4WD long w/ Omnis in front
1 - tank treads, long
48 – 4WD, long

1998
45 – 4WD long with Omnis in front.

1997
71 - ?

1996
73 - ?

1995
100 - ?

1994
144 - ?

1993
148 - ?

1992
126 - ?

Important to note that mecanum wheels have not been available to first teams for this entire time, but the numbers are stacked in favor of skid steers. From 04 to 05 the dimensions changed from 30x36 to the current size, 28x38, so there are fewer 6 wheel bots as you go back before 2005.

I've had people argue that the reason skid steers win more is baecause they are more common, but I prefer to view this as "the best teams win, and by no coinsidence, they are skid steer bots." So basically they are winning because they are good, not because they are greater in numbers. They are simple, intuitive to drive, and comparatively pretty light, which leaves weight for an affective manipulator.