Is a shifting transmission really necessary?

[Sparks333]

Hi!
the only competition I have seen was the '04 competiton, where I co-piloted for our team, 1425. We did not shift. We did not have time to put together a tranny, but our team leader would have really been tickled if we could. I personally didn't see a reason for a transmission. In the '03 competiton, I could see why speed was required (a lot of space, a race to get to the top, ect.) but in the '04 competiton, I didn't see a reason, because there wasn't much room to get up to speed, and there wasn't anything that could have been taken back with some shoving. (not a FIRST-encouraged manuver, but these things happen.) I totally agree that it depends entirely on the competiton and what you are doing. Like I said, I am a rookie, so my test pool is minute, but I think generalizing about whether or not you need a transmission won't get you anywhere.

Sparks