My team is considering going to this post season competition. We would like to know anything that you think would be good to know when deciding.
You ought to ask that question in this thread: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50844
And you’ll probably find some answers there already. =)
Do you like to have fun? Meet great people?
Come to IRI.
It’s much more relaxing that a regular competition (for example inspections are on the honor system) but it will also have an amazing bunch of teams and bots from all around.
It’s a great place to introduce upcoming freshmen to the FIRST experience.
My favorite part is the mentor round. That’s where the mentors drive and the students coach.
Two fun days and a last chance to have fun with your 07 robot.
My favorite part about IRI which makes it the best is the fact that they eliminate “stupid” rules. One of these that is a constant within IRI is the alliance picking. Instead of going seed 1-8, then 8-1, at IRI, they go 1-8, then 1-8. Also last year was even more fun with the elimination of the shooting speed rule!
Is the 72x72 box going to be eliminated?! I would love to see that thing thrown out the window.
We’re discussing coming to IRI. There are several problems that we’d have to deal with.
Housing- It would be much cheaper if we could stay with some teams in the area than if we stay in a hotel.
Travel- There’s no way of getting around travel costs… unless a team wants to pay for us 
Transporting the robot- This depends on how the team gets there.
Considering you guys are out in Indiana, I’d say IRI is your best bet.
The off seasons in Michigan would probably be nice to go to as well.
I think it would be valid to say that the IRI is as, if not more, difficult when compared to any other regional in the world. Some have compared it to the championship [having never been (yet) I wouldn’t know]. It is great fun in a great atmosphere with the best and brightest FIRST has to offer.
Plus, it’s practically in our back yard, which is a plus for a growing 3rd year team.
I refer to IRI as the FIRST all-star game.