[Ryan Caldwell]

We have timed written tests that assure everyone on the drive team has a full knowledge of the rules. Once passing the written test, we have position tryouts to prove ability. From the time on the written and performance tryout 2 students are chosen for each position. The driver and Co-driver are excluded from robot repair during competitions and are also part of our strategy team. the commander (a student) is the only one on the drive team who knows the full functional status of the robot, we want our drivers to believe fully in the robots capability. Our drive team also has to demonstrate devotion and dependability. Each drive team has a internal checks and balances because if one person from the A team is missing/benched then the entire B team goes in.

As for the risk in climbing i'd say that's on the strategy team more than the driver. Weigh out your risks before hand. If your team is up by 40 just hang ten (that's on the commander), if you need the 30 then you risk the 60" fall. If the robot is 60" tall and your worried about tipping i'd say find a very calm driver or different designers.

I also tend to play loud music, flash lights and throw things during the written tests...