2015 FIM Livonia

[FIMAlumni]

As this is an extremely competitive event I thought I would do a write up on some of the top 5 ranked teams coming into this event!Rankings based on teams only playing 1 event.

67 "The HOT Team": Ranked 3rd out of teams playing only 1 event, the Hot team has already won Waterford and will look for a second blue banner. This robot features a very fast 5 tote stacks from the HP, coupled with a utility arm RC grabber, and topped off with a 20 pt auto. Rumors from other threads claim 6 stacks are coming, but the ability to Co-op may be sacrificed.

4362 "Gems": Ranked 7th, the Gems will also be looking for a second blue banner after winning the Howell District. Another HP loader, the gems create stacks of 4 while topping with a bin. This team doesn't seem to get mentioned a lot, but they were a very solid and consistent team at their first event.

217 "Thunder Chickens:" Ranked 9th, Waterford Finalists the chickens are another HP feeder, seeming able to make a stack of 6* and cap a stack of 5. The chickens played very smart in the Waterford eliminations, working together to maximize all 3 robots on their alliance. 217 always seems to improve throughout the seasons, I expect a much fast robot and a more experienced drive team.
*didn't see it in the videos I watched but the design looks promising

27 "Team Rush:" Ranked 10th, the most experienced team on this list, Team Rush were quarter finalists at the Northern Lights Regional and Finalists at Woodhaven. 27 is a RC specialist, getting 2 from the step in auto and capping stacks of 5 in eliminations. 27 is not a strong tote stacker, but paired with the right alliance is capable of big points. Expect Rush's seeding to depend more heavily on matchups, and either select or be picked by a strong stacker.

548 "Robostangs:"Ranked 11th, South-field Finalists and another HP loader, stacking 4 then topping with a fifth and RC. The Robostangs had an impressive improvement during the hour between Quals and Eliminations. Another team player, 548 was the stacker in their alliance producing a max of 3 stacks of 4. Previously stated "548 will have some more carbon than at Southfield" my best guesses are either a tethered ramp to speed up HP loading or canburglers.

All 5 teams favor the HP, expect a lot of landfill bots to fill the second half of alliance selection. All teams on the list have already proven they can make 3 stacks, meaning the top 3 alliances at least will be fighting for the step RCs. Expect teams with canburglers to be picked early and often during alliance selections. Good luck to all teams competing!

Side note: 5708 has yet to compete this season and will be debuting at Livonia as a 100% unknown they could shake things up.