IRI Rule Changes - 2012

[LeelandS]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

While the competition invites many elite teams in FIRST to participate, I think the general population has to take care not to elevate IRI onto so high a pedestal as to become elitIST in describing it.

I certainly wasn't trying to play IRI as an elitist event, though rereading, that's what it seemed to come out as. And if that's what it came out as, it doesn't matter I meant. I'm sorry I unintentionally played IRI up as "elitist".

At the same time, IRI is definitely not a place for the weak of heart. I will never refer to a team as "too weak for IRI", but if asked personally (not that anyone should put stock in anything I say) if a team is ready to COMPETE at IRI, there are teams I would say no to. Attending and learning is one thing, competing is another. There are teams who, competitively, are not ready for IRI.

I didn't mean to refer to IRI as an elitist event. IRI is an amazing event and it's not like some high-society snooty country club where the commoners aren't allowed. But it is an ELITE event, where the elite go to play.