[ChuckDickerson]

Probably the best thing you can do to get a head start as a future FIRST team member would be to go to the Championships and spend a lot of time hanging out in the pits looking closely at the robots and asking LOTS, and LOTS, and LOTS of questions. Every team is always eager to talk about their team and their robot and are happy when a stranger walks up and asks about their robot. You will be able to tell if a team is busy frantically trying to fix something and if so just step back out of the way and watch the teamwork. In fact, you may see people from different teams working together to fix another teams robot. Don't be alarmed. This is perfectly normal FIRST behavior. You will be amazed at the robots and what you can learn in the pits. Of course, spend some time in the GA Dome watching matches but the real action is in the pits if you want make some friends and learn about the robots to get a jump on your future experience on a FIRST team. Don't forget to bring some safety glasses and then stick your head in some robots (ask first, of course) and really look closely at all those really cool drive trains and multi-speed shift on the fly gearboxes. Notice the wide array of wheels and if you find some (and you will) that look like something you have never seen before ask the team how they work and why they used them and if they made them. Of course, this year is a ball game so you will see lots of different mechanisms for picking up balls, hoppers for holding balls, and shooters for scoring. Marvel at the ingenuity of everything. Take notes and LOTS of pictures. Bring a digital camera with extra batteries and memory cards if possible. Make a special point to meet the teams that are based near your hometown. You be glad you did next year when you join a team. Many teams giveaway stuff. Don't be shy, get a button, or a wrist band or whatever they are giving away. If they have paper flyers about their robot or something special like their shifting transmissions, or mecanum wheels, or shooter, etc. grab one to read later. Immerse yourself in the whole FIRST experience and plan to spend as much time as possible. Everyone in FIRST is usually very friendly and wants to help even if it is just to answer your questions. Don't be shy, there are no stupid questions. Some teams guard some of their secrets closely but most will give you the shirt off their back if it will help you fix your robot and get you running in the next match. Watch, learn, ask lots of questions, and listen to the answers but most of all just come on down and have a blast.

BTW: I am a mentor on our team and although our team won't be competing, I am driving 7 hours (one way) to do the same as you. Just hang out, see some friends, and learn what I can from other teams in the pits and watch one of the most exciting competitions in the World. If you want a guide or someone to show you around feel free to PM or email me. I'll be there all day Friday and Saturday.