pic: Broken Bumper from 2007

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

From another perspective, it was quite disappointing for me as a tech inspector in Atlanta last year to have to fail teams on tech for not having followed the bumper rules. (Of course the inspection team helped them source FRC legal bumper materials, or devise suitable repairs, but it wasn't a particularly productive way for teams to spend their time.) It wasn't that I wanted to do it... but the job of the inspector is to enforce the rules, not to bend them, modify them, or make them up on the spot.

Jason

Even though you didn't particularly enjoy it, I applaud you for doing your job. This reminds me of the classic 'contract rider' example with performing artists. Often, the artists would include rather obtuse demands in their contract - the most famous would be Van Halen requiring the promoter to provide them with M&Ms with all the brown ones taken out. They knew if the promoter did this, then he read the whole contract and their other requirements were met.
This year I feel the GDC has taken us by the hand and said "this is EXACTLY how we want you to build the bumpers." If a team can't do that, then I would be very concerned how they handled important things like nuts & bolts & wiring.