Here is a 254 971 2489 flavored video of semi 1-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxUvaHCkKRk
Final score 112-48 Red wins
Classic slingshot launcher vs ramp launcher race. You can see the effects that gravity has on acceleration during the minibot race. The minibots are both timer based launched and take off exactly at the same time. I think 971's minibot is lighter than 254 and has a slightly smaller wheel diameter. 254 has the lead on the start but 971 is accelerating to a higher speed at the end of the race. You have to watch the race in slow motion to see how close it really was.
971 minibot actually falls to the pad first even though 254 bot wins the race. What strange physics's law is this???