2011 Arizona Regional

[Cactus_Robotics]

Alright guys who's coming and who's excited about this years Arizona regional? Any predictions based on what you've seen or heard?

[MrForbes]

I predict that 498 will get the Beach Bots award!

Should be a fun regional. New venue...

[Joe Schornak]

2840's coming, and universally excited.

The new venue should be interesting. I always found the Coliseum's arena lighting to be a bit dim away from the field. Depending on how they light the new venue, robot maintenance during Elims should be quite a bit easier.

[JDL]

I'm worried about the size of the pits.

That and the power, I know from experience (electrical service calls and looking at E sheets) that most high schools really aren't set up for large events where you have 50 something groups with lots of battery chargers and power tools.

[El Geffe]

Team 60 is STOKED for the AZ regional this year. We've got a solid team and and awesome robot ready to compete down there.

Although we are quite worried about the size of the arena; high school gyms aren't built for this type or volume of competition. And are the pits really in the hall ways?

Whatever happens it should be an interesting experience.

[Donut]

Originally Posted by squirrel

I predict that 498 will get the Beach Bots award!

Should be a fun regional. New venue...

Don't tell 330 that! They're undefeated in that category!

We'll see how the venue change goes, I've always had mixed feelings about the coliseum; it was nice to compete in a real "stadium" of sorts and there was a ton of room (once they moved the pits into the exhibit room, was a little cramped with everything on the main floor), but the lighting was pretty abysmal and the food policies were frustrating. With a regional the size of Arizona I am a little worried about a high school arena for it, especially since high school gyms here aren't as large as other parts of the country in my experience. Hamilton is one of the biggest high schools in the state though so if anyone can host it they'd be the place to do it. If anything just think of it as being a more "intimate" regional

Looking forward to this year, my spring break finally coincides with the regional again so I'll get to see all 3 days! This will be my last year doing FIRST in Arizona so I'm going to want to see the whole thing.

[rsisk]

I'm looking forward to making the long drive through the desert to Phoenix, although the landmarks are starting to get familiar (Quartzite for lunch at the Quail Diner, Fraggle Rock, the Colorado, etc...).

Can't wait to see your robots! I won't be judging this year, but I will be inspecting them!

[falconmaster]

I am excited this year! Got a great bot and ready to Rock! Hope we put on a good show!. Anxious about new site, power and space concerns as well as doorways. It is a recession though so I guess we tough it! Glad we still have a regional!

[BHS_STopping]

I think it'll be a lot of fun! I'm volunteering for Robot Inspection this year, and helping with field construction/tear down as well. I think it'll be a great event and I'm excited to see all of the AZ teams once again.

[TheOtherGuy]

Originally Posted by Donut

Don't tell 330 that! They're undefeated in that category!

We'll see how the venue change goes, I've always had mixed feelings about the coliseum; it was nice to compete in a real "stadium" of sorts and there was a ton of room (once they moved the pits into the exhibit room, was a little cramped with everything on the main floor), but the lighting was pretty abysmal and the food policies were frustrating. With a regional the size of Arizona I am a little worried about a high school arena for it, especially since high school gyms here aren't as large as other parts of the country in my experience.

Must be doing something right, 498 looked like the best team at Duel in the Desert (which I need to post pictures and video of... )

The only FRC event I've attended in a high school gym was the Fall Classic in Pasadena, and while the lighting was better, it just didn't have the grandness of the Coliseum... oh well, I'm sure it'll work just as well, without the lighting issue.

By the way, are you in ece 369 at UA?

[Donut]

Originally Posted by TheOtherGuy

Must be doing something right, 498 looked like the best team at Duel in the Desert (which I need to post pictures and video of... )

The only FRC event I've attended in a high school gym was the Fall Classic in Pasadena, and while the lighting was better, it just didn't have the grandness of the Coliseum... oh well, I'm sure it'll work just as well, without the lighting issue.

By the way, are you in ece 369 at UA?

Glad to hear it, too much work to go and see it this year. I'm sure the regional will be exciting as always.

Yeah, I sit about 4 rows in front of you. Last class for the CE minor

[Dr Fritz]

its not cold here so don't bring a jacket lol

[cemkage]

Have been hearing a lot about 498.

[Donut]

Dropped off the robot tonight, it looks like most teams opted to do it tonight rather than bring it in in the morning. The field is in the gym with stands on both sides of the field (drivers now get to hear cheering in surround sound) and is slightly lowered below the stands so everyone should get a good view of the competition. Pits are in the hallways, it appears the numbering scheme alternates between lowest number, highest number, 2nd lowest number, 2nd highest number, etc. so rookies should all get a chance to chat with veteran teams nearby. The hallways are pretty large by my standards and as long as teams adhere to the rule of not having an excessive number of people in their pit traffic shouldn't be an issue (it looks like traffic will all be on one side of the halls with all the pits on the other side).

Regional is tomorrow! I hope everyone is excited, see you there (with my blue hair again)!

[Cascade]

Will there be a web cast?