Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars/Heat J

The Fourth Wars - Heat J was one of the sixteen heats to determine the semi-finalists of Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars. The episode featuring Heat J was originally broadcast on December 8, 2000 on BBC Two.


 * Heat J was the second of only four times that a lower seed won the heat, the other occasions being Heat B of Series 4, Heat N of Series 4, and Heat G of Series 5.
 * Clawed Hopper's debut in this heat signified the first time a walkerbot entered in the main competition.

Newcomers
Clawed Hopper
 * Team Members: Andrew Hughes, Nick Clement & Joshua Hughes
 * Weight: 138.8kg
 * Dimensions: 0.50m x 1.30m x 0.60m
 * Power: 3 x electric starter motors
 * Weapons: 2 x Mechanical claws

Hammer & Tong
 * Team Members: Stewart Smith, Oliver Smith & Paul Schmidt
 * Weight: 79.8kg
 * Dimensions: 0.70m x 1.00m x 1.00m
 * Power: 2 x wheelchair motors
 * Weapons: Pneumatic arm with spike

Spikasaurus
 * Team Members: Stuart Pearson, Andrea Whittle & Lee Ainscough
 * Weight: 80kg
 * Dimensions: 0.30m x 1.45m x 0.65m
 * Power: 4 x 750watt electric motors
 * Weapons: 2 x spikes and ramming bar

Veterans
Bigger Brother (seeded 14th)
 * Team Members: Joe Watts & Ian Watts
 * Weight: 77.3kg
 * Dimensions: 0.30m x 0.90m x 0.90m
 * Power: 2 x electric motors
 * Weapons: Steel spike

Bulldog Breed 2
 * Team Members: Tony Somerfield, Robert Somerfield & Toni Bond
 * Weight: 79kg
 * Dimensions: 0.30m x 0.75m x 0.70m
 * Power: 2 x wheelchair motors
 * Weapons: Flipper and rear spike

Stinger (seeded 30th)
 * Team Members: Kevin Scott, Karl Skinner & Tim Mann
 * Weight: 77.1kg
 * Dimensions: 0.37m x 0.70m x 0.60m
 * Power: 2 x electric motors
 * Weapons: Swinging axe

Bigger Brother (14) vs Clawed Hopper vs Hammer & Tong
Bigger Brother moved on the offensive, flipping Clawed Hopper onto its side, but not quite enough to flip it over. Clawed Hopper's walking movements were enough to cause the walker to land the right way up. Bigger Brother withdrew and Hammer & Tong pushed into Clawed Hopper, whose walking movement and weight allowed it to easily overpower Hammer & Tong, pushing it very slowly back, whilst Hammer & Tong's weapon cut through thin air. "Don't make any plans for next summer's holidays...Clawed Hopper will still be here, very probably."

- Jonathan Pearce on Clawed Hopper's low speed

Clawed Hopper slowly advanced on Hammer & Tong, who managed to press down on it with its weapon but not inflict any damage. Bigger Brother rejoined the fight, flipping Hammer & Tong up several times, as Clawed Hopper walked off the floor flipper. Bigger Brother's flipper had insufficient strength and degree of opening to get the wide bodied Hammer & Tong over on its back, so it moved back and attempted to flip Clawed Hopper again, with Clawed Hopper's weight and movement thwarting the attempt once more. Clawed Hopper continued its ponderous advance on Hammer & Tong, but Bigger Brother moved in, getting significantly more flipper beneath the walker, and managed to flip it on its back. "Its like a beetle! You want to put it out of its misery when the beetle turns over onto its back. Whose going to turn Clawed Hopper over?"

- Jonathan Pearce

Bigger Brother then turned on Hammer & Tong, flipped it up, and wedged its spikes in the wheels. Bigger Brother could not release Hammer & Tong, despite trying, so it pushed it around the arena. "Once you've beaten these two, you can take on the House Robots! Today the arena, Joe, tomorrow the world!"

- Jonathan Pearce

Whilst Bigger Brother flailed against Hammer & Tong, Dead Metal and Bash closed in on Clawed Hopper. Despite attempts to use its legs to bash Dead Metal's saw away, Clawed Hopper was attacked and put on the flame pit. Dead Metal then pushed it onto the floor flipper, but only flew a small distance due to its enormous weight. Cease was called as Dead Metal attacked again.

Qualified: Hammer & Tong and Bigger Brother

Stinger (30) vs Bulldog Breed 2 vs Spikasaurus
All three robots moved off, and Bulldog Breed 2 was the quickest robot, flipping Spikasaurus in the opening moments. The rollcage of Spikasaurus allowed it to simply roll back onto its wheels, before speeding off, crashing into Shunt briefly. It shot back and crashed into Stinger, pushing the axlebot into Bulldog Breed, who flipped but failed to do anything to Stinger. Stinger slammed Spikasaurus with its mace, before crashing its axe around the arena floor. "Stinger, with the great axe on the back, slamming down like a mighty pendulum. They say it's better than the pizza cutter, but boys, we didn't see the pizza cutter! You drove into the pit too quickly!"

- Jonathan Pearce

Bulldog Breed flipped Stinger just as Spikasaurus rammed into it from the side, pushing it away. Stinger was unaffected by the flip, and rejoined the battle, with Spikasaurus pushing it against Bulldog Breed, who threw it up into the air. Stinger fled, and Bulldog Breed turned its attention to Spikasaurus, flicking it up on its side. The momentum was too little to get it on its back, so Spikasaurus fell back on its wheels. Stinger skidded in amongst the action, flailing its mace in and driving its opponents away. Bulldog Breed 2 then flipped precisely as Spikasaurus charged into it, lances first, negating the attack, before flicking it over. Once more, Spikasaurus rolled back onto its wheels. Spikasaurus pushed Stinger into the side wall, sending sparks flying, and when Bulldog Breed intervened, Stinger swung its mace in random directions, walloping both robots and fleeing. "You're supposed to attack the other robots and the House Robots, not the arena floor, with the weapon!"

- A gleeful Jonathan Pearce

As Stinger spun, Spikasaurus was dealt a heavy blow and its charge was redirected into the side wall, where its spear buckled and pinned it to the wall. It was freed by Dead Metal, and rejoined the battle between Bulldog Breed and Stinger. Bulldog Breed flipped both opponents, but neither was affected, and the battle continued in the same way until Spikasaurus ran into the side spike near Shunt's CPZ. Bulldog Breed tried to push it into the waiting House Robot, but ended up flipping Shunt slightly and catching itself in the CPZ. "And Shunt came out, very very hungrily and said "Bulldog, you're mine!""

- Jonathan Pearce

Shunt axed through the flipper of Bulldog Breed, but dragged it out and allowed it to escape. Bulldog Breed, Spikasaurus and Stinger continued to fight, with Spikasaurus being flipped over and its now-damaged rollcage not allowing it to self-right. However, due to blows from Stinger and Bulldog Breed in the duo's own battle, Spikasaurus was knocked back onto its wheels. The match went to the judges, who unanimously eliminated Spikasaurus.

Qualified: Bulldog Breed 2 and Stinger

Pinball Warrior Tournament
Heat J featured reigning pinball champion Razer's pinball attempt.

Bigger Brother (14) vs Bulldog Breed 2
The two robots moved off the start zones slowly, and Bigger Brother attacked Bulldog Breed side-on. It used its flipper, but the flipper did not get beneath enough of its opponent to work. To make matters worse, Bigger Brother vented a large amount of gas immediately afterwards. "Ooh! Gas is being vented there. Now they normally are aimed, due to the pressurised system onto the flipper, I wonder if there's a problem with one of the pressure valves. I think there might be, and that will lead to a lack of power in what was otherwise a fierce flipper! And it may give Bulldog Breed 2 a chance to growl and prowl, menacingly."

- Jonathan Pearce

Bigger Brother tried to flip once again, venting even more gas, and Bulldog Breed responded with its own. Three small flips missed, but Bulldog Breed managed to hook its flipper underneath and flick Bigger Brother over and onto its back. "They're over! That's the end I think, for little Joe and dad Ian."

- Jonathan Pearce

Gas continued to vent from Bigger Brother, leaving not enough pressure for Bigger Brother to right itself. Eventually, Bash and Killalot closed in and plucked Bigger Brother from the floor. It hurled Bigger Brother across the arena, and Bash pulled it over to the pit. However, there seemed to be some discrepancy between Bash and Killalot on pushing Bigger Brother down the pit, and Killalot pulled Bigger Brother out of Bash's jaws, leaving the Sergeant stranded on the pit. Killalot dropped Bigger Brother beside the pit, and Shunt finally solved the problem by pitting it.

Winner: Bulldog Breed 2

Stinger (30) vs Hammer & Tong
Hammer & Tong advanced, with its weapon lowered in the flipper position. Stinger started much more slowly than usual, rolling off its starting position and positioning itself. When Hammer & Tong drove alongside it and spun, striking its opponent several times with its mace. Stinger then reversed back and charged Hammer & Tong, slamming its mace into the bodyshell of its opponent. Hammer & Tong moved forward and brought its weapon down, which nudged Stinger up onto one wheel. Stinger flailed on one wheel, trying to land on the ground. It finally landed on both wheels, and swung its mace at Hammer & Tong, striking once more. "The spike has been bent, has it? Have to see that again - no its okay. Folded back on itself as a protection as it slammed on the arena floor, its okay."

- Jonathan Pearce sees Hammer & Tong's design in action

Stinger then attacked three times, with the first landing on the armour, the second missing, and the third being blocked as Hammer & Tong brought its weapon down. Stinger attacked again, and then drove forward. Hammer & Tong had its weapon lowered, attempting to flip Stinger, but Stinger struck with its mace and retreated before the weapon could be fired. Hammer & Tong's attempt to use its axe also missed. Stinger slammed Hammer & Tong, nudging it across the flame pit. Hammer & Tong weakly moved off, but broke down. Stinger pushed its mace underneath, and Hammer & Tong was showing no responsiveness. Stinger spun into position and began spinning, but Hammer & Tong was just out of range, so Stinger drove forward to attack. Its bumper caught on something and caused Stinger to jump away. Stinger continued to harass its opponent, and Matilda confirmed the immobilisation by charging in. "Has Hammer & Tong been immobilised here? Immobilised for longer than 30 seconds, you're out...I think Hammer & Tong - something's gone wrong inside. I think they're immobilised, Killalot does to - look at that! Crumpling, crushing, formidable force from Killalot."

- Jonathan Pearce

Matilda pushed Hammer & Tong across the flame pit and Sir Killalot seized it. Killalot's pincer effortlessly sliced through Hammer & Tong's armour. Killalot spun and threw Hammer & Tong. Bash and Shunt attacked, both easily smashing the armour of Hammer & Tong, and Sir Killalot rejoined to crumple the armour. "Oh dear. Oh, makes you weak, doesn't it? Does it? No, not really."

- Jonathan Pearce

Killalot finally placed Hammer & Tong on the floor flipper, which threw it, and cease was called.


 * Winner: Stinger

Stinger (30) vs Bulldog Breed 2
Stinger span on the spot, and Bulldog Breed 2 moved forward, knocking it onto one wheel. Bulldog Breed attempted to do the same thing, battering against Stinger, but managing to tip it onto its side. Stinger veered away and attacked, with Bulldog Breed moving at the same slow pace and taking hits when it wedged beneath its opponent. "Its a bit tentative here, they're feeling each other out, I don't know why. They know all about each other, they fought together against Spikasaurus."

- Jonathan Pearce

Bulldog Breed nudged Stinger onto one wheel again, after it drove across the flames. Stinger then drove onto Bulldog Breed, who fired its flipper, raising it off the ground but not lifting it. Stinger struck Bulldog Breed twice, but Bulldog Breed flipped it aside on the second attempt. Bulldog Breed's flipper stayed open, and Stinger spun on the spot, slamming into Bulldog Breed's side and back. The flipper would still not close, and Stinger's attacks caused CO2 to start venting. "Stinger - a side attack on the Bulldog, the jaws of the Bulldog are open - ah! CO2 being vented there! Bulldog Breed is in trouble here."

- Jonathan Pearce

Stinger struck the top of Bulldog Breed, then swung its axe to hit the inside of the flipper. Bulldog Breed spun in a circle, trying to minimise the amount of damage inflicted in one area. Bulldog Breed pushed its open flipper onto the mace, holding it still, but Stinger escaped and struck again, knocking Bulldog Breed aside several feet and knocking it out. As Stinger propped itself against Bulldog Breed, smoke began to pour from the immobilised machine. Dead Metal, Shunt and Killalot attacked Bulldog Breed, slicing, axing and otherwise attacking the machine. Bulldog Breed was dropped on its back by Killalot and placed on the floor flipper by Dead Metal. Bulldog Breed crashed back down and cease was called.

Heat Winner: Stinger "Well, we don't use camera tricks or hidden trap doors, the danger's for real, on Robot Wars!"

- Craig Charles' sign-off