[Sam N.]

Team 1351 had an eight wheel chassis for the 2006 competition. We had 1x1 aluminum tube welded to the ends of the drive assemblies flush with the rear of the robot. The front of the robot was modified with a concavity for ball-pickup. the square tube provided free metal for bumper mounts (steel triangle brackets).

I also suggest putting a lightening pattern into your 1/4 inch plate. That can save a lot of weight, and if you have bumpers, you don't have to worry too much about structural stability.