[Billfred]

Moving from the "been told" to the (subject-to-change-for-2009) 2008 manual:

<R38> Adhesive backed tapes shall not be used as a structural fastener, or to connect two or
more parts together. Adhesive backed tapes may only be used as follows:
 Textured or coated tapes may be used to provide an alternate surface finish or treatment to a
portion of the ROBOT.
 Velcro tape, any hook and loop tape or double-sided sticky foam may be used for attaching
components to the ROBOT.
 Reflective tape may be used with optical sensors in small amounts.
 Adhesive backed tape and labels may be used for labeling purposes on wires, cables,
pneumatic lines, etc.
 Electrical tape may be used as an electrical insulator.

In 2007:

<R35>Adhesive backed tapes are NOT allowed except as follows:
 Velcro tape, any hook and loop tape or double-sided sticky foam may be used for attaching
components to the ROBOT.
 Reflective tape may be used with optical sensors in small amounts.
 Adhesive backed tape and labels may be used for labeling purposes on wires, cables,
pneumatic lines, etc.
 Electrical tape may be used as an electrical insulator.

With the exception of a different number, the 2007 rule was used verbatim in 2006 and 2005. 2007 saw many teams¹ raising questions on Q&A about grip tape and related products; the official response was that "Safety Track"--which is apparently similar to the barred "grip tape"--was a legal material because it was not marketed as tape. The altered rule for 2008 eliminates that rose-by-any-other-name issue, which I view as a Good Thing. (Build season gives me enough to lose sleep over.)

¹ Do a find on "tape" or "Safety Track" on http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...007-Export.pdf