Just to press the point, if you're intent on starting a team for the 2006 season, you need to find several thousand dollars
right now. The
$6000 (USD) for the initial regional event (and kit of parts) is due on December 9
th, and you must be registered on TIMS by December 2
nd. (Note that you also have the option of paying via an authorized promissory note payable to FIRST, in the name of your corporate sponsor. The document is still due on the same date, however, with the funds to follow some time thereafter.)
You must work very quickly indeed to secure at least that much funding, to even participate. After that, you'll need a few thousand more dollars in order to cover robot expenses, travel expenses and other miscellaneous costs. I think that with a regional in Richmond, (the VCU Regional, which should have some spaces reserved for rookie teams) you should at least be able to economize with regard to travel.