[WEHickok]

Here is the scoop. This is an actual photo. It was shot in front of one of the test chambers at the GM Proving Ground. In the original photo, there is a seam just to the right of the GM logo where the doors open...the GM logo is on the left door. The seam made the photo look bad. So, with the magic of the computer, here is the photo with the background removed, except for the logo. Also, the bright blue areas on the front are GM logos that reflect with the flash.

We are able to throw or pass the ball over the bar. When we hurdle we do it facing forward. And, yes, we did go back to the 1998 HOTBOT for inspiration. The orange powdercoating was discussed, but we did it last year to make the arms easier to see when teams needed to climb aboard.

We are really looking forward to competing at FLR for the first time. The team is excited. Also meeting some of our old friends there and making new ones. Another regional with three Hall of Fame teams competing. We are looking forward to seeing 191 and 365.

Then GLR where we are expecting an outstanding competition since it is week 5 this year. As they say in racing, pull your seatbelts a little tighter...this is going to be exciting!

My only hope is that this year the game stays offensive and does not go defensive. I say this because I am an ambassador at GLR and it is not easy to take a VIP to the field and tell them how much work goes into the machines and then have them watch the machines just push each other and not "play" the game. These are people that we are trying to get money from to help pay some expenses and sponsor some teams. So, if you get the urge to play defense, please hold off until the last 15 or 20 seconds so that we get the best demonstration of what robots can do. Again, this comes not from me as a team member, but as an ambassador. Please help us influence more people to become sponsors of FIRST.

Thanks, and good luck to all teams.