[Al Skierkiewicz]

Ian,
Hookup wire is legal for use on the minibot just as in the robot in unlimited quantity. As long as it not used to modify the motors to gain an advantage in the upward vertical movement of the minibot, there is no rule that prevents it. I would pass it as a legal minibot.
Nov8r, I can't see how a 4 ohm resistor would give better control than just a short on the motors. Realistically, it would/should descend much faster with the resistor.