[Mike Martus]

There were problems with shipping the robots from the events.

Here is one:
Small teams with limited design software were not able to make changes and fabricate parts without the robot. You would see them frantically taking pictures, tape rules and sketches, all so that they could make replacement parts to bring to the next competition. And have them not fit correctly, and were not tested.
Larger budget teams from companies that had the robot designed on CAD had a real advantage.

Here is another:
Several large budget teams made a second robot (Chief Delphi was NOT one of them) to make fabrications and changes. In one case I know for a fact that they swapped out whole sub-assemblies at the event. Is this really fair???

And another:
I disagree, I was witness to more frantic repairs, less growth in quality at the second events that many teams attended. Most teams I talked with were against the change.

Finally.......
Shipping cost is a real issue. Being able to deliver the robot to the second local dryage is a real cost saver. With the economy as it is every penny is important.

My 5 1/2 cents ( inflation ).