The Triple Tortuga is Contest born.

[Joe Johnson]

Follow my logic and read below for more.

Assertion #1:

This year, perhaps more than any other year, there are going to be untested robot on the field. You know this is true. Making all the defenses is beyond all but a tiny fraction of the teams out there. I am not saying this to be mean or to be hatin' on FIRST. It's just a reality.

Assertion #2:

Given the above, you can easily predict that for many teams (most?) the first time they try to cross many defenses will be in a match.

Assertion #3:

From which it follows that we'll see a TON of stuck robots during the early weeks of the competition.

Assertion #4

There will be matches (especially during those early weeks but some times in later ones as well) where all three teams on an alliance are stuck on their opponent defenses.

When this happens, I propose we call this situation "The Triple Tortuga."


Now for the Triple Tortuga Contest.

First of all, I know it will fall on deaf ears, but here is some free advice: Do your best to avoid being part of the Triple Tortuga Club.

• Test your robot before you get out on the field in a match.
• Spend the time to build practice defenses, beg borrow or steal other team's defenses, go to Week Zero events, etc.
• Do whatever you have to to design & build a robot that can actually go over defenses without getting stuck
• and failing that, at least know what your robot/drivers are capable of (or incapable of) before you get out there in a real match.

Second, I will send a $10 gift card to Starbucks (or equiv.) to the first 5 CD users that post a reply to this post with links to a video showing a Triple Tortuga in official FIRST match.

Third, I will send a $50 gift card to the first person to post a link to a match with a Double Triple Tortuga. I hope it doesn't happen but if it does, I want to see it.

May your all opponent's towers be captured and their defenses breached! And, if ever your robot is the last not stuck on a defense, may your drivers think twice before risking another crossing...

Hold Strong,
Dr. Joe J.

[SenorZ]

If a DOUBLE Triple Tortuga occurs, I think the regional/district should get free corn dogs.

[ehochstein]

Originally Posted by SenorZ

If a DOUBLE Triple Tortuga occurs, I think the regional/district should get free corn dogs.

We'll need someone to come in with cheesecake too, just to make everything better.

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by ehochstein

We'll need someone to come in with cheesecake too, just to make everything better.

The situation requires comfort food. I suggest bowls of turtle soup on the house.

Dr. Joe J.

[Joe Johnson]

Also, I just noticed my dyslexia is showing in the title of this thread. I am just not wired right. Ah well...

Dr. Joe J.

[Steve Kaneb]

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

Also, I just noticed my dyslexia is showing in the title of this thread. I am just not wired right. Ah well...

Dr. Joe J.

I dunno, makes it sound more archaic. Fits the theme.

[Jack Gillespie]

I just thought you were related to Yoda

[Mr. B]

I think the Triple Tortuga is likely even with teams practicing on the home made (wood vs metal) field elements.

[rzoeller]

Originally Posted by Mr. B

I think the Triple Tortuga is likely even with teams practicing on the home made (wood vs metal) field elements.

I think equally important as the different materials are the different dimensions. Take a look at the team rough terrain drawings and the official ones to see what I mean. It's possible to build the official ones, but ripping 4x4 lumber does not particularly appeal to me.

EDIT: The 1.5" spacing on the official rough terrain will be interesting for teams not using treads or pneumatic wheels (do these teams exist?)

[Anupam Goli]

Originally Posted by rzoeller

EDIT: The 1.5" spacing on the official rough terrain will be interesting for teams not using treads or pneumatic wheels (do these teams exist?)

Yes, they do.

[jman4747]

Originally Posted by rzoeller

I think equally important as the different materials are the different dimensions. Take a look at the team rough terrain drawings and the official ones to see what I mean. It's possible to build the official ones, but ripping 4x4 lumber does not particularly appeal to me.

EDIT: The 1.5" spacing on the official rough terrain will be interesting for teams not using treads or pneumatic wheels (do these teams exist?)

Yes they do. The real question is how many teams exist who won't pay attention to how their wheels first make contact with a defense or under what circumstances their robot would bottom out. I guarantee there will be stuck robots with pneumatic wheels several times this year. Tank treads not so much but flipping over is still an option. If you use wheels, pneumatic or hard, the spacing matters. Pneumatic wheels does not equal automatic victory.

[MooreteP]

One down, two to go.

Prototype Tortuga

I'm thinking a Venti Iced Skinny Hazelnut Macchiato, Sugar-Free Syrup, Extra Shot, Light Ice, No Whip.

[GaryVoshol]

Ehh, put some bumpers on that thing and the extra weight will keep it stable.

Maybe a battery restraint device too. (Were there 2 batteries?)

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

One down, two to go.

Prototype Tortuga

I'm thinking a Venti Iced Skinny Hazelnut Macchiato, Sugar-Free Syrup, Extra Shot, Light Ice, No Whip.

Thank you so much for this video. I laughed and laughed and laughed.

Many thanks.

Dr. Joe J.

[MaGiC_PiKaChU]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

One down, two to go.

Prototype Tortuga

I'm thinking a Venti Iced Skinny Hazelnut Macchiato, Sugar-Free Syrup, Extra Shot, Light Ice, No Whip.

I cannot wait to see all those bumpers and batteries laying on the field this year