first of all search before you post.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ht=DARPA+grand
also the idea of a multi team DGC entry has been thrown around before and there is even a sub-forum on chiefdelphi dedicated to it.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=92
As a lead on a DGC team i must tell you that the work involved in this is quite high. Myself and team mates were working full time during the winter of 2005 to build this car and we didn't get nearly as far as we wished. I encourage teams to work on autonomous development and off season events but the DGC might be too high. Also with the event being in November of 2008 you will basically have to skip a FIRST season to be involved with this event seriously. The costs, time, effort, and skills required for this event are much higher then FIRST and while going and working with a team and getting involved is a great way to learn about things. Starting your own team is probably a mistake. Besides you are already at least 3+ years behind.
If you want another opinion from someone else who was involved Kevin Watson also was.
*this message was not to discourage people from trying it was just meant to bring people back down to reality.