[Bill's Blog] The Biggest and Best Championship Ever

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Wayne,
It has been a long time since you were at Champs. We are expecting a lot more inspectors to handle the load, get everyone inspected and be ready for matches starting on Thursday afternoon. The number will more like 15 per division plus a few more if I can get them. This includes Inspection Pit Managers to handle weigh and size, the inspection paperwork, and assigning inspectors. We move staff as we see a need to get everyone inspected on time. We also plan to have inspectors regularly checking in at the fields to answer questions and support Refs and FTAs. Inspectors will be working hard to get B&T checks done as soon as possible after you open your crate and will remain until the pits close each day. LRIs from regional events are asked to wear their black vests and most everyone will be wearing the bright green hats so you can recognize them from afar.

Please note: This is the big show! There will be the most experienced inspectors checking over your robots at this event. I am sorry if something was missed at your regional, it will be checked at this event. If it is not compliant, it will need to be made legal. We will advise you on changes that will need to be made. Look over my inspection thread here on CD and be sure that your bumpers are in order, you have only legal motors, pneumatics and batteries, and your robot has an electrically isolated frame. This year nearly half of all robots failed some portion of the bumper rule. Your bumper segments must be a minimum of 8" long (measured at backing i.e. the 3/4" plywood), fully backed by robot frame, have no hard parts in the corners, must have your team number in only four locations (approx 90 degrees apart), may not be split across bumper segments and must be white or outlined in white. Please review all the bumper rules (4.1.6 Bumper Rules) and check the accompanying figures in the rule book. As of this writing, Rev C of the Inspection Checklist is still the valid document and this will be used at Champs.