[EricH]

James and John pretty much nailed what I was thinking of with my platform suggestion. Then the only problem is getting it to either the base or the pole, but that should be team option.

W/R/T the DIO option, does the NXT even have that option? I was thinking use one of the two allowed light switches--use a servo on a light arm, positioned before the match, to flip the switch. Or you use the dead-man or pole-sensor; the dead-man indicates that the host says don't go yet (move servo or something, while the pole sensor says I have pole, climb faster.