[Kevin Sevcik]

I will take this opportunity to evangelize for BEST some more. Sadly, it's not in CA. The farthest west that BEST has gotten is NM, but still.

Smaller: 24 lbs, 2' x 2' x 2' cube.
Cheaper: Free for a team to compete... Well a $200 deposit that you get back as long as you return the controller and such. Though it does require atleast a small group of people for the team. And only one team per school.
Custom: You get four real motors (Globes), some speed controllers and servos. And a box of random metal, PVC, plywood, fasteners, etc. That's all you get to work with, too. So it's a bit of a challenge.
Timeframe: Six weeks to build, with a practice competition week 5. In the fall, even, so it's perfectly compatible with FRC.
Downside: Just a 4-channel RC car controller. However, I'm seeing what I can do to get this fixed...

So, sadly not much help for you sanddrag, but I think it's definitely an option for other FIRST teams looking for things to do or a way to warm up for the big show in january.