[ToddF]

I suspect that the addition of part C to this rule was spurred by the introduction of the Talon SRX as a new legal motor controller.

Previous motor controllers had connector terminals, and could thus be reused from year to year. The Talon SRX has integrated leads, so the installation of connectors on those leads is necessary to connect a motor. Installing connectors on the ends of the wires constitutes a modification away from COTS state. This meant that use of a particular motor controller on a competition bot would, under the previous rule, only be legal during the year in which the connectors were attached. Under the new rule, we may install connectors on this motor controller this year and reuse it next year.

I'm happy about this change because we have many CIMS to which we have added connectors. We are now able to use these motors this year. Under the previous rule, their use would have been illegal.