[Greg Perkins]

Hey guys,

I know how many thank yous have gone around about the new kit...But you really have to give credit to FIRST for really leveling the playing feild. There has been so many games in previous years that the experienced teams have WAY more of an advantage than the not so financially/experienced teams. For instance, in 2002 we had the "pushers" and the "ballers"; to be a good "pusher" you had to come up with a really great drive system that was robust, yet elegant. To be a good "baller" a team would have to prove themselves worthy by having the BEST ball collector...In an example (and please note, i am not bashing anybody/team) RAGE, they have been using a similar drive base for years, and heck, its proven them good. And teams like this had found something that works, and kept using them to their advantage. Now for the rookies, some schools who come into this program with little more than a cordless drill and a bandsaw, sometimes just cant compete with teams who are far better off, and have the resources.

Now for my point,

THis year FIRST has genoursly taken broad steps to level the playing feild for ALL TEAMS. with a great gearbox, and a great chassis, Rookies will be able to come to a regional, and prove themselves. I myself have witnessed first hand how hard it is for rookies, yet, dont let that get us down. I think the threads on this forum are also a great way for rookies to learn, however, these threads are also littered with spammers and useless crap.
I see going to a regional this year will be such a huge suprise, with rookies proving themselves, and experienced teams in the same ball park as rookies.
So good bye to domination and the "powerhouse" teams, and hello to a level playing feild.


thanks,

greg