2003 IRI: A driver's last hurrah or a new rookie driver's experience?

[Amanda Morrison]

After some thought and some conversations with different people from different teams, the suggestion that IRI is a 'FIRST senior driver's last hurrah' came into play. While one point of view (mainly advisors) mentioned that they thought the driving privileges should be revoked for rookie experience, drivers seem to want to relish in this last display of their skills in the heat of the match.

I'm actually just curious as to what other teams are planning on doing and their reasoning.

Some points of view:

Although this may be a drivers' last chance to show their stuff, shouldn't everyone else get a chance, too? Maybe many people didn't get the chance to drive before the robot was shipped, so this is their chance to do so. The future of a FIRST team's competitiveness sometimes relies heavily on the training and aggressiveness of their driver. Next year's students should start training now for the betterment of the drive team next year.

However, is it worth to pay the entry fee to IRI (not even to mention the traveling and lodging costs) for simple training for rookies? Can't they practice on a regular field? Doesn't this take away from the driving experience? Should a driver be hurt if their advisors remove them from the drivers seat to enter a rookie?

I hope to hear some good viewpoints.