[AndyB]

Attending and winning over three regionals has nothing to do with inspiring. If anything, it raises the bar and inspires others to be just as successful.

As Billfred said in a previous topic, I can only admire these teams and hope that one day, I can help a team get to that point.

If a team can raise the money to attend three regionals and the championship, while at the same time, build a successful machine that wins, I don't see a reason why they shouldn't use it.

You also have to consider the amount of support that teams (3 regional attendees) give to the FIRST community. 1114 comes to mind. They have started and helped out numerous FRC teams as well as find the time to mentor teams in FTC.

These teams should not be bad talked, they should be celebrated. I love watching teams do well. It makes no sense to lower the bar to accomodate other teams when we can instead, raise the bar and help those teams get better as well.

FIRST is a competition. That is why it's so much fun. I have nothing but respect for teams like 1114, 1024, 1503, 47 who continue to raise the bar. There is a reason FIRST has gotten huge in Canada and Indiana... these teams do nothing but aid in that progression.