Mecha-Mayhem 2008

Event Description

UPDATE: Apparently the builders database description didn't get updated, now it is.

I am sad to announce that Mecha-Mayhem 2008 will be forced to cancel competition for bots Hobby weight and larger. Unfortunately, but understandably, our partners at Synergy robotics feel that there are too few bots registered in these weight classes to justify bringing their large arena to Chicago. We have no other option but to cancel the big bot portion of Mecha Mayhem 2008 and concentrate on our insect event for which we own one of the nicest small arenas around. This is very sad to me, as I'm sure with the lineup that was registered the fights would have been spectacular. Hopefully we can try again next year to make a spectacular big bot event at our amazing venue.

For those with bots 15lbs and under, the trip may still be worth while. The iHobby expo is an amazing show, and we will be offering more almost $4000 in cash prizes for our insect competition with a $1000 top prize in the beetle class, plus trophies worthy of the big bots. Also we feel that our arena, while a little small to hold a really competition for the 12lb and 15lb bots, can definitely handle the abuse. Therefore if you want to bring a bot in these classes we will allow you to fight with it in grudge matches or do demos against the large amount of printers and other fodder we will have on hand.

The new prize structure for the competition will be as follows:

	Beetle	Ant	Fairy
1st	$1000	$650	$400
2nd	$600	$400	$200
3rd	$300	$200	$100

Prizes will be awarded at this level if the weight class has more than 8 bots compete in that class. Less than 8 bots in a class and prizes will be halved. Also this is only the prizes that we are committing out of pocket, and sponsored cash or merchandise will be awarded on top of this.

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In October 2007, the Chicago Robotic Combat Association brought you Mecha-Mayhem 2007 at the iHobby Expo in Rosemont, IL. Now we are gearing up to do it again in 2008!

The CRCA is collaborating with the Hobby Manufacturers Association's iHobby Expo and Synergy Robotics Entertainment to produce Mecha-Mayhem 2008, slated for October 16^th thru 19^th. The iHobby Expo is the international showcase for the newest electronic hobbyist technology, models, and valued miniature collectables. Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, the HMA's iHobby Expo is now in its 24^th year, with a projected attendance of more than 20,000 for 2008. As the largest event of its kind in the world, the iHobby Expo is the perfect showcase for Mecha-Mayhem for years to come.

Synergy Robotics Entertainment was created by Charles Arnold, Deb Holmes, and Brian Nave to support and promote robotic combat events. Arnold, Holmes, and Nave previously organized events for the Robot Fighting League, which sanctioned and standardized robotic competition internationally. They have overseen the RFL�s 2006 National robotics competition, Triangle Nationals in 2003, the Rochester Robot Rampage in 2005, and the NPC Charity Open in 2004. Many in the competitive robotics community will recognize Arnold and Holmes from the Minnesota Manufacturing Educational Resource (MMER).

Alongside the CRCA, the Chicago Area Robotics Group will be running their annual Chibotica autonomous robotics problem-solving competition. At this annual event, dozens of the brightest amateur and pro robotics engineers will compete in �thinking robot� challenges�escaping mazes, robot combat sumo, and other complex tasks�showing yet another dimension of this thrilling pursuit.


Schedule:
Thursday Friday October 16th-17th:
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Open for demos
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Showing Off
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Sponsor Hunting
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Early Check-in

Saturday October 18th:
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;9am – 10:15am: Safety / Humdinger 2
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;10:15am-10:30am: Drivers Meeting / Prep
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;10:30am-12:00pm: Combat
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;12:00pm – 1:30pm: Lunch
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;1:30pm – 3:00pm: Combat
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;3:00pm – 3:30pm: Break
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;3:30pm – 5:00pm: Combat
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Evening: Bot Dinner

Sunday October 19th:
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;10:00am – 11:30am Combat
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;11:30am – 1:00pm: Lunch
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;1:00pm – 2:30pm: Combat
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;2:30pm – 3:00pm: Break
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;3:00pm – 3:30pm: Combat (Finals)
nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;4:00pm - 4:30pm: Awards


Each day the building will be open at 8AM and close around 7PM. The expo is open to the public 10AM to 5PM. We will run combat during these hours. We are required by the show to have some down time so they can run other events, so we will likely have two 1 hour breaks during each day.


Rules:
Our rules can be found here: Mecha-Mayhem 2008 Rules.pdf


Weight Classes Fees:

Pro Classes:

Class	Wheeled	Non-Wheeled	Fee
150g	150 gram	300 gram	FREE
Ant	1 pound	2 pound	FREE
Beetle	3 pound	6 pound	FREE

Frequencies:
Because this is a hobby show and there are other groups running R/C equipment we will be limited to specific channels in the 75MHz band. They are 62,64,66,68,70,72,74,76,78, and 80. We are also allowed to run 2.4GHz and 900MHz systems.


Lodging and Air Travel:
The iHobby event has generously offered to extend their reduced rates to us. More info can be found at the iHobby website as it becomes available.


Shipping:
Robots can be shipped directly to the venue. Their is a fee of $11 per 100 lbs by the Rosemont Exposition Services. This includes advance storage, delivery to the venue, and storage of containers during the event. Please contact the RES for further information.

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