2008 IRI (Indiana Robotics Invitational)

Im going to IRI for sure this year and im bringing a friend along too.

[Ralph Lambert]

The Channel Cats have been to the IRI for the last several years and hope to be selected again this year. The folks who run IRI do a great job.

There has been a lot of discussion about rule modifications for this fun event so here is another suggestion. Since the whole idea behind FIRST is to get students interested in science and technology, how about IRI saying that all coaches must be students and let the adults relax in the stands. Turn over everything to the kids, it will be a good experience for them.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Ralph Lambert

The Channel Cats have been to the IRI for the last several years and hope to be selected again this year. The folks who run IRI do a great job.

There has been a lot of discussion about rule modifications for this fun event so here is another suggestion. Since the whole idea behind FIRST is to get students interested in science and technology, how about IRI saying that all coaches must be students and let the adults relax in the stands. Turn over everything to the kids, it will be a good experience for them.

I'm thinking some of the notable "egos" who came to play at IRI would be rather deflated over this decision.

I appreciate the sentiments of this suggestion, but I cannot support the implementation of blanket rules that drastically alter a team's implementation of their traditional internal operations. Each team should be permitted to deploy whatever drive team configuration they choose that is legal under the 2008 FIRST rules. This includes the coach.

Suddenly switching up coaches may severely affect a drive team's chemistry to the point they wouldn't be as effective as they were before. Those who traditionally use student coaches would suddenly have a competitive advantage over those teams who were scrambling to identify and train a student alternate.

Also, for those teams who have relatively new adult coaches behind the glass, it would rob those coaches of an excellent chance to work with and learn from the rest of the great strategic coaching minds who will be present at the event.

IRI traditionally only alters the most "stupid" GAME rules and leaves the rest alone - that's what's so great about the experience.

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

Suddenly switching up coaches may severely affect a drive team's chemistry to the point they wouldn't be as effective as they were before. Those who traditionally use student coaches would suddenly have a competitive advantage over those teams who were scrambling to identify and train a student alternate.

This is especially evident in the Mentor-Operated Matches (which I hope are resurrected this year)

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

I'm thinking some of the notable "egos" who came to play at IRI would be rather deflated over this decision.

See above; turns out that some of the aforementioned "egos" can't drive to save their skins (but it sure is fun to watch them try)

[bigbeezy]

Do any teams mix up drive teams at IRI? We like to through in some noobs during the offseason to give them some practice and get some ideas on who would be a good driver next year. Just wondering if this was common at IRI, or since it is such a strong event, teams like to keep their regular drive team out on the field.

[Kyle Love]

Originally Posted by bigbeezy

Do any teams mix up drive teams at IRI? We like to through in some noobs during the offseason to give them some practice and get some ideas on who would be a good driver next year. Just wondering if this was common at IRI, or since it is such a strong event, teams like to keep their regular drive team out on the field.

Quite a few teams do that. It is a great time to expose "noobs" to the best of the best and see if they can handle it.

[Paul Copioli]

We do not allow the seniors from the 2008 season, who just recently graduated, to operate the robot. We use IRI as the first event where the sophomores and juniors take over as practice for next year. So this year we will have our two junior back-up drivers as the main drive team. We also usually fit in an all girl round where the drive team and the coach are entirely made up of women. By the way, they are 6 and 0 at IRI.

[Akash Rastogi]

I wish we could make it there.That's not going to happen this year it looks like.

[Mike Schreiber]

RUSH has switched up driver's in the past...such as in '05 when my brother broke the arm (it wasn't his fault but I enjoy giving him a hard time)

Too touch on the other topic, last year IRI for RUSH was run by students...it was the best competition experience I have EVER had. The adults sat back relaxed and watched matches, there were about 7 students who attended and we all alternated human player (other than the driver's), since it was a job that could get anyone involved and was quite easy. I had the opportunity to basically run the pit, with an occasional check from a mentor. I found it a quite remarkable experience, and hope that other teams will do the same, because I guarantee the students will enjoy it.

See you in Indiana!

[Kit Gerhart]

Some teams try to do the very best they can by using their regular drive teams, while others give new drivers some experience. The past three years, we have used our drivers from the regular season, but this year we will have a different base driver for IRI. Unlike many off-season competitions, IRI is an event which is at least equal to any of the regionals in competitiveness, and which gives new drivers the best experience they can get.

Originally Posted by bigbeezy

Do any teams mix up drive teams at IRI? We like to through in some noobs during the offseason to give them some practice and get some ideas on who would be a good driver next year. Just wondering if this was common at IRI, or since it is such a strong event, teams like to keep their regular drive team out on the field.

[Chris_Elston]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Also... Indiana teams have been encouraged to start another off-season event. There is plenty of demand for more play time.
Andy

I've been hearing, but my opinon would be no one would come to that "second" Indiana Invitation, because of IRI. I think it would be very diffcult to try and pull this off. It would be like trying to sell Andy Mark gear box next to fisher price gearboxes. Which one you gunna pick? :-)

[Kit Gerhart]

Originally Posted by Chris_Elston

I've been hearing, but my opinon would be no one would come to that "second" Indiana Invitation, because of IRI. I think it would be very diffcult to try and pull this off. It would be like trying to sell Andy Mark gear box next to fisher price gearboxes. Which one you gunna pick? :-)

I would expect the "second" Indiana event to be a less serious event where most teams would use new drivers, and which some teams would attend that were not invited to IRI. It would probably be a much more "low key" competition than IRI.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Kit Gerhart

I would expect the "second" Indiana event to be a less serious event where most teams would use new drivers, and which some teams would attend that were not invited to IRI. It would probably be a much more "low key" competition than IRI.

A little bird has told me there may be a second event in Indianapolis in the fall. I'll try and cage that red bird up and get some details out of him soon.

[johnr]

Why have a second one? If they have the people to pull that off why not do it the same weekend and have the first double off season event. I can see the future. Four gyms , four champs meeting late saturday to battle it out. OFF SEASON NATIONALS!!!!!

[Lil' Lavery]

I suspect the second event was more intended to be an "Indiana event" rather than a national event like IRI has become. It would serve a similar function to most of the other off-season events around the country, where almost every team (if not every team) is local. This would help replace the lack of automatic invitations for Indiana teams, allowing them to compete in an off-season event even if they don't make the IRI roster.