[Kit Gerhart]

We used treads in '99 and '01, and if the game requires traction, treads are hard to beat.

Our '99 machine had some problems with chains rolling off of sprockets, mainly because our structure was too flexible. We made some changes during the season, and got to where we had few problems by nationals. Our '01 machine has a very stiff structure eliminating our '99 problems and has been very reliable.

As Clark mentioned, if you use metal treads as we have, you need to round off the edges and remove the burrs or they can damage carpet, but they have great traction, even 'smoothed up' to where they are 'carpet safe.'

Still, for a rookie team, I would tend to recommend wheels. It is much easier to make a good reliable drive train with wheels, and with four wheel drive, the traction can be good. Just be careful to avoid the mistake of gearing too high. Going fast is nice, but going a little slower, but being reliable and, with this year's game, being able to push well, is better.

Maybe the big compromise of good treads vs wheels if you are the 'master of wheels' as is Chief Delphi, is that with wheels you can do the 'crab' thing. That was really cool in the '99 game as demonstrated by Chief Delphi, Wildstang and others.