[Al Skierkiewicz]

I have to start off with a nod to Dave Lavery. Go check out his "six weeks" speech from Championships. I think that speaks volumes about our motivation.
While there are likely equal reasons for both views, I personally have some other reasons to keep the six week build.
One of the greatest things that grabs casual observers and potential sponsors is the statement that every robot on the field was built in six weeks or at competition. The additional development time is never discussed because, for those people, it is irrelevant. The memory trigger is watching any robot on the field with the thought that it was the result of a team approach to a six week build and design.
While students are constantly under a time constraint for projects in their academic life, very few schools actually teach techniques on how to best accomplish great results in a limited amount of time. The six wek build does that with mentor help.
I have been around long enough to know that the best built robot is not going to win just because the team has a lot of resources or time. Likewise the best design is not going to win every time because there are other factors like driver fatigue, mechanical breakdowns, and miscommunications.
Yes, we are one of those teams that builds a practice robot. Yes, we continue to improve designs after the build. No, we are not a team that has a lot of resources. Yes, we are a team of very driven students who feel a need to make improvements, assist other teams and play a part in improving the overall competition. One of the things that has not entered into this discussion is the value of the additional learning experience in planning the robot modification that can only take place a competition. We always talk about how we are training our students for a life in industry. Well, no industry sits back and does not make improvements to it's product. Many of them need to plan on improvements in the field. (Hubble to name just one.)
So for my money, I am all for keeping the six week build. I don't think we could attract as many sponsors and supporters without it. I don't think we can provide a quality, real world, experience without it. I don't think the competition will improve without it. (I suspect it actually may suffer.)
On a personal note, I often surprise my coworkers with the solutions and direction on projects we are given. I attribute that with my work on the team. If you think six weeks is not enough time, you need to work in live TV. By the time you have realized you screwed up, your work is on it's way to Mars.