Any time the robot broke and I got to fix it was the best FIRST experience. It's really awe inspiring how some guys you've known for about 10 minutes that come from halfway across the country will bend over backwards to help you get your robot fixed. Absolutely incredible!
For example, during the semifinals of BattleCry 5, the clutch on one of our drill motors broke and we would've been out of commission if 1027 hadn't graciously donated us a new drill motor. Talk about GP! We had about 20 minutes to our next match, and we were able to get the old drill out, take it apart, install the new clutch, and get it back together in time for the next match! Many hands make light work and close quarters in a robot.
But all that aside, I love plunging my hands into the innards of a robot in order to improve it and make a truly competitive machine. It gives me a feeling of power knowing that the fate of the matches rests in the repairs my hands make.
Dude, I love FIRST.
MrToast