[Mike Betts]

All,

First of all, a robot does not have to be working perfectly to go through inspection. Many teams continue to modify their robots throughout the competition and many ask for a re-inspection on Friday or Saturday.

An inspection without bumpers or signs would still cover 99% of the "important" stuff. Even an inspection with entire subsystems missing would (1) allow greater safety for all involved on practice day and (2) help inspectors to identify teams needing help.

Putting on my team mentor hat for a moment:

If option 3 is adopted without requiring inspection, there is no way that I would allow my team to attempt inspection until there is absolutely no chance that an extra practice could be procured. Practice time is that valuable for a competitive edge.

Now putting on my head inspector's hat:

(Once again, if option 3 is adopted without requiring inspection) The prospect of having all the teams at a regional wait until 5PM to be inspected is a disaster in the making and virtually guarantees that many teams (especially rookies and teams needing extra help) will not be able to compete in their first match on Friday morning.

Given the choice of a few unfilled practice slots and teams missing matches on Friday, I cannot support option 3 without modification and would be forced to say that we must stay with option 1.

Please think about it...

Regards,

Mike