[Kevin Thorp]

In the past have there been problems with the size & weight of the robots? They've grown over the years, when you add the bumper and battery weight. Maybe FIRST has serious concerns about safety and transportation issues so they've "downsized" for 2013.

This parallels the downsizing of American cars to help meet the new more stringent CAFE standards and lower carbon footprint. Automotive companies and suppliers are a big part of FRC.

This move would also reduce the veteran team advantage of pulling an old chassis design off the shelf & reusing it in the new game.