The Case For 'Regionalizing' teams at the Nationals.

[archiver]

Posted by Michael Ciavaglia.

Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Interior Systems.

Posted on 8/18/2000 6:21 AM MST


In Reply to: Re: My take on why... posted by Splash on 8/17/2000 3:05 PM MST:



I totally agree with the idea of having matches on Thursday. The time at Disney is soo valuable! If we are tied to a three day event then one way of getting more matches is reducing/eliminating the practice rounds on Thursday.

I am more for the reducing practice time rather than eliminating because it is important to get the drive team out on the stage. The drive team needs to get rid of the jitters.

However, what if the we started earlier on Thursday morning to get one practice for all the teams by noon. The elimination round could begin by 1:00 P.M. This could increase the number of qualification matches or allow the elimination matches to be over by Friday night.

What is the difference if teams are repairing machines and practicing all day Thursday at Disney or if we give every team a 'Bonus Day' before the ship date. Instead of shipping on a Tuesday, make the ship date Wednesday and call Wednesday the 'Bonus Day' right from the beginning. I know the pit fall, teams will think they have until Wednesday instead of Tuesday, but this is called time management and FIRST shouldn't be responsible for that. What FIRST can do is add a 'Bonus Day' to compensate for the lost time at Disney.

What is the difference if you are fixing your machine in (insert your city) or at Disney fixing your machine? The time at Disney is very valuable and FIRST needs to maximize it to benefit the competition.

Bottome Line: Reduce the practice time at Disney. Add a 'Bonus Day'.

Mike C.