- "Backstabber just goes to show what you can do in after school hours - at school, using school electricity and lack of school teachers!"
- — Philippa Forrester introduces Backstabber
Backstabber was entered into Series 3 of Robot Wars by a team from a tech school, led by the teacher Howard Sanford and driven by the student Sanjay Patel. It lost in the first round to Razer.
The team also tried to enter Backstabber into Series 4, but they failed to qualify. The team didn't compete in Robot Wars after this.
Design
Backstabber in the arena
Backstabber was a long, high wedge robot, featuring a rear axe that stabbed backwards, hence the name. The pole was tipped with a chisel capable of punching through sheet steel, and the main body had various devices to neutralise cutting/stabbing weaponry of other robots. Backstabber's wheels were exposed, but its high body managed to protect it from severe harm from crushers.
Robot History
Series 3
Backstabber's shell is scratched by Razer
Backstabber gets pitted by Razer.
Backstabber had very little to show for in its only battle in Robot Wars, where it fought Razer. It was fairly sluggish at the beginning of this fight, though it slowly drove forward to start and quickly turned round to use its stabbing arm on Razer. However, it was seemingly immobilised immediately after Razer attempted to crush it but the wedge shape was difficult for the claw to get a hold on and it could only scratch down the side. Instead, Razer made a run-up and managed to plough Backstabber into the pit, just as Backstabber's weapon came crashing down onto Razer, nearly dragging it onto its side. This caused no damage, though. The school robot was beaten after just 20 seconds of fighting.
- "Backstabber, stabbed in the back!"
- — Craig Charles summarises the battle
Results
| BACKSTABBER - RESULTS | ||
| Series 3 | ||
| The Third Wars - UK Championship Heat, Round 1 | ||
| Heat C, Round 1 | vs. Razer | Lost |
Wins/Losses
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 1
Series Record
| Series | Backstabber Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Did not enter |
| The Third Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
| The Fourth Wars | Failed to qualify |
| The Fifth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Sixth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Seventh Wars | Did not enter |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |