FOURTH ANNUAL ROBOT WARS 1997
GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Robot Wars is a competitive, mechanical sporting event that features
radio controlled robots in combat. Competitors must employ a combination
of skill, power and strategy in this contest for survival.

DATE
The Fourth Annual Robot Wars is scheduled for
August 15-17, 1997.

PLACE
Fort Mason Center, San Francisco

EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday August 15: Weigh-ins, Safety Inspection.
Saturday August 16: Elimination Rounds
Saturday Night August 16: Semi-Finals
Sunday August 17: Face-Off Finals
Sunday Night August 17: Melee

ARENA

1.The arena is rectangular and measures approximately 30 feet by 54
feet. The surface is flat smooth asphalt.

2.An eight foot high wall of clear polycarbonate surrounds the arena and
protects the audience.

3.Bleachers on three sides of the arena seat approximately 1000.

4.A variety of hazards will be positioned within the arena. Some may be
continuously active. Some may be fixed. These hazards may damage robots
that come into contact with them.

WEIGHT CLASSIFICATIONS*

10 - 25 lbs - Featherweight
26 - 50 lbs - Lightweight
51 - 100 lbs - Middleweight
101 - 175 lbs - Heavyweight

FACE-OFF EVENT
Robots will be compete, one on one, within weight classifications.
Winners advance through elimination rounds until the last two fight for
the Face-Off championship. Each match is timed at 5 minutes.

JUDGING

1.Robots win by rendering an opponent "immobile" within the 5 minute
time limit. Any robot that becomes damaged or malfunctions and is unable
to move for 30 continuous seconds shall be considered "immobile."

2.If after 5 minutes of competition both robots are still mobile, the
winner will be chosen by official RW judges based upon a point system
that takes into account three factors: Damage, aggression, and control.
Of these three factors damage will be the primary criteria for
determining a winner.

3.If a match scoring results in a draw then the audience will decide the
winner with applause using the same criteria that the judges use.

4.Robots may not win by pinning their opponents. If a robot becomes
pinned the judges will ask the aggressor to release. Robots who employ a
strategy of "grab and hold" before using their weapons to attack their
opponent will have one minute before they must disengage. If both robots
are clearly locked in a "deadly embrace" the match will be stopped to
separate them and then the match will resume for the duration of the
match.

NOTE: Damage is defined as any perceived affect upon or alteration to
your opponent's robot during a match ie. scratches, dents, tear, gouges,
holes, lost parts, cuts, etc. Perceived damage may be cosmetic or
functional. Immobilization of your opponent insures a clear victory.
However, just as in the sport of boxing a knock-out is not the only
means of winning; so it is in Robot Wars that immobilization (or
complete destruction) is not the only, or even usual means of winning.
Most matches are likely to be decided by point score. Immobilization may
be achieved by any means within the rules except pinning.

MELEE EVENT
A free-for-all fight among robots that are grouped within each weight
classification. The last one to remain mobile will be declared the
winner of this event. Each match is timed at 5 minutes.

JUDGING
Same as for Face-Off except that any robots that remain mobile after 5
minutes will be regrouped with other survivors to compete until there is
only one robot left mobile in each weight class.

DISQUALIFICATION
In both Face-off and Melee judges may first warn and, later, if
necessary, disqualify robots for excessive evasion.

AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS
We are planning to present matches between autonomous (AI) robots in
this special category of Face-off and Melee. Those who are interested in
entering this category should contact Robot Wars, LLC for special
guidelines.

LEGGED ROBOTS
As an incentive Legged entries may compete in the weight class below
their official weight. Heavyweights may weigh up to 300 lbs.

POWER
Electric, Fuel**, Pneumatic, or Hydraulic.

CLUSTER BOTS
Robots are allowed to enter the arena as a single unit and separate into
more than one unit and act as a team. However if any one mobile segment
becomes immobile the cluster loses. Cluster Bots may only compete in
face-off matches due to the potential for radio conflict in Melee

[…]

PRIZES
Prizes for RW96 totaled $5000 cash in addition to merchandise. Prizes
for RW97 will be announced prior to the event.

[…]

** Contact Robot Wars, LLC for fuel other than gasoline.

Copyright ) 1997 Robot Wars, LLC
Contact: robotwars@aol.com