[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by pilleya

Also consider the Gearbox with PTO ANDYMARK came out with it seems useful for climbing.

Only disclosing information to certain suppliers will obviously disadvantage new suppliers attempting to break into the FRC COTS market.

But as Crown KOP suppliers those three deserve to be told. I think more communication, could have enabled ANDYMARK to make the KOP drivebase more suitable for the game, such as a front wedge and potentially 8 inch wheels.

Yes, it gives those few companies an advantage, but it's not really that big of an advantage. Using this year as an example, the info they would have gotten basically told them to invest in treads, pneumatic wheels, and maybe PTO's. Everything else in their inventory, with the exception of mecanum wheels, is probably still selling like normal - you still need motors and gear boxes and such. There's plenty of room there for someone new to come in and start competing, and thus earn themselves a spot in the community.