Friday

Set off from home about 2pm after a quick call into work to collect some more bolts as had run out in the morning. Halfway to Fairford I realised that I'd forgotten to collect some fittings that might need, in the end I didn't need them. Got onto the base about 4.30pm, got to the pits and helped with some of the arena setup. Most people then headed to the campsite so I was left incharge of getting arriving roboteers onto the base. I didn't manage to get the remaining jobs on Apocalypse done. Went back to the campsite about 10pm setup the tent in the dark, had a few beers. At this point we knew that the air show had been cancelled for Saturday due to the bad weather and flooded, muddy car parks.

Saturday

We got up and headed onto the base about 11am, got to work on Apoc, finishing off the hinges at the back of the robot. Also generally helping people finish their bots. Messing about and adding the finishing touches took most of the day, as we were not really in a rush. Went back to the campsite after finding out that we were going to be allowed to fight despite the show on sunday also being cancelled.

Apocalypse sitting in the pits.

Sunday

With such a tight schedule today the draw has redone to do away with the pods, although the first round had to be against someone from your pod. Apocalypse was drawn against Hydra. I wasn't too worried although things can still go wrong especially with my driving and you never know how the robot is going to perform in the first fight of an event. Plus the axe is always a worry when you only have 2mm thick armour. In the end the fight was over fairly quickly, sorry Luke but you can't take chances in major comps. Hydra was oota after about 40 seconds

First round opponent Hydra.

In the second round I was drawn against Tilly Evo, something I have been fearing for a while. As fighting good friends is always difficult, the fight was over in about 4 seconds as Tilly Evo also got flipped out.

Second round opponent Tilly Evo.

The next round was the Quarter finals and Apocalypse was to face Ripper Evo, having lost to Ripper at Stoke a few weeks ago I knew it would be a tough fight. In the end Jonno's driving is a lot better than mine and it was a similar story to Stoke. Ripper got Apoc on its flipper and I didn't react quick enough to try and jump off. By the time I did I was too close to the outer barrier. Out again, not too dissapointed as that makes it QF two years in a row, but Apoc is a lot more reliable now. So I just need some driving practise. DB5 also had 2 fights I let Shane drive as I was concentrating on Apoc, the power came out of the Rx in the first and it ended up in the pit in the second. The final was between Dantomkia and Iron Awe 5, DTk was winning right up to the point its link fell out. But Iron Awe deserved their win, they have been having a good run recently, lets hope it ends soon! Thanks to RR for salvaging the event

Quarter final opponent Ripper Evo.

Some more photos from the event below.

Another view of Apocalypse	The new Thor which was very impressive
Dantomkia and Iron Awe 5 in the pits, this must have been the lucky bench	Team Beast relaxing before a fight