After four seasons, my team (#1860) won’t participate in any regional.
Our main sponsor (Jonhson&Jonhson) cannot pay our participation.
We have some others sponsor and partners, however the Brazilian bureaucracy in relation to money spent by companies (mainly international transactions) prevent them from pay our registration.
Unfortunately, we could only U$3000,00 (R$5250,00).
Next year, we would try New Jersey Regional, because many J&J teams attempt there and in Trenton we debuting IN FRC, however I think this not possible more.
Teams outside USA have many troubles for build a robot and carry it to compete there, but I have no doubt that the main problem is the money.
Whatever, on behalf #1860 I’d like to wish a wonderfull season for every team, mainly the teams that we expected found again!!
PS: if some brazilian or latin american team needs some help, let us know, we’d love to help!!!
I won’t mince words, that really stinks.
It really is awful that such a simple thing as money (or access to it) would stop you guys from competing. I hope you’re still able participate to some degree this season, and wish you better luck next year =)
As a side note, I’m unfamiliar with the status of FRC in Brazil. Would it be feasible to put together a Brazilian regional this year, or would this be too impractical?
The last two years, we’ve attended the Minnesota Regional (its first year, and last year the 10,000 Lakes Regional). The University of Minnesota (where the regional’s held) had funded us both years.
This year they cut us off.
We’ve (coincidentally?) also only managed to raise about $3000 so far.
However, like what Mr Pockets said, that is really sad that your team is unable to participate this year. Based on your team number, I’d guess this would have been your team’s third or fourth season.
There has been a Brazilian Regional in the past; the last one was in 2008, with 12 teams. Not sure why it doesn’t happen anymore, but I’d guess the economy and/or a lack of teams.
As many have said, It sucks big time but i wish you well!
We are having a similar situation with our sponsors having to cut down the amount they have given us.
Hi, this is Keehun from Eden Prairie, MN. I’m so sorry to hear that Brainerd doesn’t have funding this season… For us, we didn’t have a primary sponsor our second year (Best Buy gave us a boatload of money first year, and then had to drop us second year), which naturally got us to scramble for funding for the second time (our second season funding was also a last minute scramble).
With that said, we got really fortunate and actually raised more money than the bucket load of money that Best Buy gave to us the first year… NASA grant really helped us out…
Brainerd, if you guys need any sort of help, let me know!
