Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars/Heat B

The Sixth Wars - Heat B was one of twelve heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars. The episode featuring Heat B was originally broadcast in 2002 on BBC Choice and repeated on November 15, 2002 on BBC Two.


 * This episode is notable as being the first time the Drop Zone was used.
 * During this episode, Firestorm 4 immobilised seven machines with its flipper. Aside from the four machines it defeated in its heat run, it also immobilised Mega Hurts 2 in Round 1, who qualified regardless. It also flipped Shunt, and Refbot.
 * In the first round battles, three machines drove/were pushed into the pit - Barbaric Response was pitted by X-Terminator, and Firestorm pitted Mega Hurts 2 before driving in itself. Despite this, all three machines proceeded to Round 2 due to other robots having been immobilised earlier.
 * All three of Firestorm's first round opponents - Cedric Slammer, Colossus and Mega Hurts 2 - came from Lancashire, with two more specifically coming from Preston in Lancashire.

Newcomers
Barbaric Response
 * Team Members: Zac Barber, Damian Barber, Bruce Barber
 * Weight: 99kg
 * Dimensions: 0.47m x 0.80m x 0.98m
 * Power: Electric motors
 * Weapons: Pneumatic flipper and ram

Cedric Slammer
 * Team Members: Jason Alty, Andrew Eastham, Jack Barber
 * Weight: 100kg
 * Dimensions: 0.56m x 0.85m x 0.70m
 * Power: 2 x 1200W Electric Motors
 * Weapons: Upright Rotating Blade

Colossus
 * Team Members: Robert Kenyon, Christopher Hatton, Stephen Bennett
 * Weight: 100kg
 * Dimensions: 0.48m x 1.27m x 1.06m
 * Power: 2 x 750W Electric Motors
 * Weapons: Flipper and Spinning Disc

Veterans
Firestorm 4 (seeded 3rd)
 * Team Members: Graham Bone, Hazel Hezlop
 * Weight: 100kg
 * Dimensions: 0.36m x 1.10m x 0.83m
 * Power: Electric motors
 * Weapons: Pneumatic flipper

Mega Hurts 2
 * Team Members: Dave Lund, Tony Lund, Gordon Keeling
 * Weight: 100kg
 * Dimensions: 0.66m x 1.30m x 0.76m
 * Power: 2 x 750W electric motors
 * Weapons: Flipper, Axe and Spikes

Robochicken
 * Team Members: Jason Snow, Tyler Booth, Alec Dick
 * Weight: 95kg
 * Dimensions: 0.80m x 1.24m x 0.88m
 * Power: 2 x 750W electric motors
 * Weapons: Flipper and axe

Spirit of Scorpion
 * Team Members: Geoff Smith, John Bell, Sean Bell
 * Weight: 100kg
 * Dimensions: 0.34m x 1.42m x 0.12m
 * Power: 3 x 750W electric motors
 * Weapons: Spinning discs and blades

X-Terminator
 * Team Members: Marlon Pritchard, Simon Baldwin
 * Weight: 100kg
 * Dimensions: 0.70m x 1.20m x 0.82m
 * Power: Electric motors
 * Weapons: Pneumatic axe

Spirit of Scorpion vs Robochicken vs Barbaric Response vs X-Terminator
The four robots quickly converged on each other. Robochicken pushed past X-Terminator and teamed up with Barbaric Response, using both flippers to attack Spirit of Scorpion. Spirit of Scorpion fought back, pushing Barbaric Response into the side wall, with Barbaric Response's flipper firing over the top of Scorpion's pushing spikes. Scorpion's push activated the pit, and Robochicken attacked again, lifting Spirit of Scorpion up. The melee then moved near to where X-Terminator was, and Barbaric Response took an axe blow from X-Terminator but shrugged it off. Barbaric Response flipped Spirit of Scorpion, but was pushed into the pit release once more. Robochicken and Spirit of Scorpion attacked X-Terminator who had not moved away from the side wall. Robochicken flipped Spirit of Scorpion again, and the distraction allowed X-Terminator to position itself and fire its axe, digging into Robochicken and pulling itself out of the CPZ. Meanwhile, Barbaric Response flipped Spirit of Scorpion into Dead Metal, who trapped and attacked it. Sir Killalot crossed over to attack, whilst Barbaric Response and X-Terminator continued their battle and Robochicken got in the way of both House Robots. X-Terminator pushed Barbaric Response into the side wall as Robochicken continued to dart around both them and Spirit of Scorpion. Finally, X-Terminator attacked Robochicken, getting its large body beneath Robochicken and using its axe as a flipper. Dead Metal caught the flipped Robochicken,and sliced off its eye. Robochicken's flipper did not have enough reach to self-right, and it was left immobile. "Well its certainly a battery chicken no longer, because it seems to have run out of power."

- Jonathan Pearce

Meanwhile, in the battle between the other three, both Barbaric Response and Spirit of Scorpion had weakened significantly, but Scorpion was showing no signs of mobility at all. Barbaric Response's flipper continued to fire, trying to flip Spirit of Scorpion, but ultimately broke down. Robochicken continued to attempt to self-right, drawing X-Terminator's attention. X-Terminator nudged the flailing chicken, before pushing the immobile Barbaric Response down the open pit. "Was I a little bit too early in writing out Robochicken, did I count my eggs before they were hatched? No! I've been told they are officially immobilised and out - Oh! Barbaric Response in the pit!"

- Jonathan Pearce

X-Terminator and Sir Killalot then pitted Robochicken, but Killalot pulled Robochicken out of the pit and carried it to the Drop Zone. A washing machine was then dropped on Robochicken, but the valiant Robochicken spun around in appreciation afterwards. "I think, Robochicken, is still alive! Unbelievable!"

- Jonathan Pearce

Despite Barbaric Response going into the pit, the judges ruled that Spirit of Scorpion and Robochicken had been immobilised first, so it proceeded with X-Terminator.

Qualified: Barbaric Response & X-Terminator

Firestorm 4 (3) vs Mega Hurts 2 vs Cedric Slammer vs Colossus
Cedric Slammer and Colossus came together at the start, but neither weapon had significant effect on the other. Firestorm pushed past Mega Hurts 2 and joined the fight, flipping Cedric Slammer towards the CPZ of Sir Killalot. Firestorm wedged itself against Killalot's claw, but managed to escape, along with Cedric Slammer. Firestorm then flipped Cedric Slammer once more, and when Cedric Slammer attempted to use its srimech, used its wedge to push Cedric Slammer, negating the srimech from working. "It seems to me that Firestorm has certainly put pain to Cedric Slammer."

- Jonathan Pearce

Having defeated Cedric Slammer, Firestorm joined the stalemated battle between Colossus and Mega Hurts 2, just as Colossus activated the pit. Firestorm flipped Colossus into Killalot's CPZ, leaving its back facing the wall, and preventing it from self-righting. Killalot closed in on Colossus, and Firestorm targeted Mega Hurts 2, flipping it over and crumpling the monitor on top. Bash and Killalot menaced the immobile Colossus, slicing a welt in Colossus, but Bash almost reversed into the pit. "I think they'll count Colossus out because they've been in the CPZ too long."

- Jonathan Pearce

Firestorm pitted the remnants of Mega Hurts 2. Firestorm then attacked Cedric Slammer, who had been righted somehow. Leaving off Cedric, Firestorm promptly dived into the pit. "Oh, that's all we need! Mayhem, absolute mayhem!"

- Jonathan Pearce

With all four robots immobilised, cease was called. Craig Charles announced the verdict of the judges - Cedric Slammer and Colossus had been immobilised first.

Qualified: Mega Hurts 2 & Firestorm 4

Firestorm 4 (3) vs Barbaric Response
Both machines darted around the arena, trying to keep the low part of the robot facing its opponent at all times. However, when Barbaric Response activated the pit, Firestorm was able to get beneath it briefly. Barbaric Response quickly escaped and retaliated, flipping Firestorm up but not over. Firestorm landed back on its wheels and Barbaric Response clamped its flipper down on Firestorm's rear. However, when Barbaric Response closed its flipper, it raised its baseplate off the ground and allowed Firestorm to easily slip beneath it, pushing it away and flicking it aside with its flipper. The two robots darted around near the pit, with the swifter Firestorm darting beneath Barbaric Response's ground clearance. Firestorm then pushed Barbaric Response into Refbot, flipping it onto its back. Barbaric Response flipped itself back onto its wheels. As Barbaric Response drove back, Firestorm pushed Refbot aside and flipped it onto its side. "Refbot gets far too close!"

- Jonathan Pearce

Firestorm flipped Barbaric Response several times, but accidentally wedged itself beneath an angle grinder. Escaping, Firestorm flipped Barbaric Response against an angle grinder, where it was stranded. Mr Psycho loomed closer, but without Refbot to count Barbaric Response out, it was not permitted to attack. Eventually, cease was called.

Winner: Firestorm 4

X-Terminator vs Mega Hurts 2


X-Terminator charged Mega Hurts, but the moments that followed were uneventful. Eventually, X-Terminator's scoop got beneath Mega Hurts' flipper and allowed it to easily push Mega Hurts into the flame pit. X-Terminator fired its axe and ripped the angry face of the computer monitor off. X-Terminator attacked again, but Mega Hurts used its flipper to raise X-Terminator off the ground, meaning that the axe stopped harmlessly above. The torque reaction threw the piece of Mega Hurts aside. "Did you see Mega Hurts there getting the flipper in underneath X-Terminator. And they're not too worried about that superficial damage."

- Jonathan Pearce on Mega Hurts' comeback

X-Terminator pushed Mega Hurts aside, denting the monitor with its axe. The two robots stopped in a CPZ, and Growler came hurling in, shoving X-Terminator aside and clamping its jaws down on Mega Hurts. Growler dragged Mega Hurts out and threw it aside, allowing it to resume the battle with X-Terminator. After taking several axe blows, Mega Hurts got beneath X-Terminator and pushed it into the CPZ. "If Mega Hurts 2 has a hope here, I think they have to flip X-Terminator. We know it doesn't like flipping its lid. And that's exactly what its trying to do!"

- Jonathan Pearce

Mega Hurts fled as Mr Psycho advanced, and pushed X-Terminator back into another CPZ, this time belonging to Growler. Both machines darted out of the CPZ, but Mr Psycho advanced and smashed the too-slow Mega Hurts 2, further damaging the monitor. X-Terminator clubbed the monitor with its axe shaft - the axe tip had broken partway through the battle - and punched through the plastic shell. X-Terminator rammed Mega Hurts back into Mr Psycho, whose claw scraped the box chassis. As time ran out, X-Terminator smashed the rest of the monitor and hurled it out of the arena. The judges' decision went to X-Terminator, and Craig Charles presented X-Terminator with its axe tip.

Winner: X-Terminator

Firestorm 4 (3) vs X-Terminator
Both robots got off to a slow start. X-Terminator opened the pit, then got under Firestorm 4. Both robots got attacked by Shunt in the CPZ; they both escaped, but both nearly pitted themselves. Firestorm 4 then charged at the side of X-Terminator and rolled it over into the arena wall. Shunt came in again, but Firestorm 4 just flipped Shunt over too. Shunt recovered and chased Firestorm 4 away, as Refbot counted X-Terminator out.

Winner: Firestorm 4