- "Get The Point"
- — Etched above Brimhur's spike
Brimhur was a robot that competed in Series 3 of Robot Wars. It lost in the first round to Weeliwako, and did not return.
Design[]
Brimhur was low box wedge-shaped, four wheel drive machine, one of five invertible machines in its Heat. The bodyshell was made of 3mm thick aluminium and its weapon was a hardened steel spike, powered by a pneumatic ram. Above the spike was the phrase "Get the Point". Brimhur's electronics were custom designed by team member Paul Mainwaring. It was powered by two wheelchair motors, giving a top speed of 9mph. During construction, it was intended to be faster, but this was geared down for better control.
- "At first it had a top speed of 25mph which was great, but it couldn't turn too well. That was one of our biggest problems and sorted it out in the end."
- — Mike Mackenzie interviewed in the Middleton and North Manchester Guardian[1]
It also had sharpened cutters on each of its wheels, presumably to be a reference to the use of wheel spikes on Roman Chariots, as seen in the film Ben-Hur, which also inspired its name. It was built over a period of 4 months.
Etymology[]
Brimhur's name was a pun, combining the name of the company the team worked at, Brimar, with the character "Ben-Hur", who was created in 1880 in the book Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace, and is best known due to the 1959 film adaptation.
The Team[]
- "The idea for the robot was first mooted last December and the three, who all work at Brimar, on Greenside Way, off Greengate Middleton Junction, set about making the plan a reality. The company helped out with a £500 donation plus allowing the lads hands-on access to anything they could lay their hands on. The three boffins worked through their dinner breaks on Brim Hur and even went in during their holidays to finish off the impressive creation."
- — Middleton and North Manchester Guardian on the Brimhur team, 1999[2]
Brimhur was built by a team of work colleagues from Brimar. Mike Mackenzie captained the team and was joined by Paul Mainwaring and Daniel Hudson. Mike Mackenzie was the team captain, whilst Paul Mainwaring designed the electronic system and controlled it in its only battle.
According to an interview with Middleton and North Manchester Guardian, the team intended to design a "bigger and better" robot for Series 4, though there is no evidence that they entered.
Robot History[]
Series 3[]
Brimhur competed in Heat A of the Third Wars, where it faced Weeliwako.
Brimhur's first battle started very slowly as Weeliwako tried to turn into Brimhur, but Brimhur managed to hit Weeliwako a few times with its spike. However Weeliwako then came on the attack, landing a couple of axe blows on the top of Brimhur. Brimhur then pushed Weeliwako against the arena wall, but its opponent continued to land axe blows. Brimhur pushed Weeliwako into Sir Killalot's CPZ, but Weeliwako seemed to be stronger as it pushed Brimhur back onto the flame pit, where Brimhur became immobilised.
- "We were gutted. We were doing really well up until that point, but then our motor crystal went which meant we just lost power. It's just one of those things."
- — Mike Mackenzie interviewed in the Middleton and North Manchester Guardian[3]
- "Brimhur on the flame pit. Slowly broiling steel shell..."
- — Jonathan Pearce
The House Robots then came in and Shunt axed a large hole into the top of Brimhur actually lifting Brimhur up when it retracted its axe. Shunt continued to attack Brimhur until cease was called, which meant Brimhur was out of the competition.
- "Brimhur was immobilised - towards the end, it was like vultures feeding on a carcass"
- — Craig Charles on the House Robots' attack
Results[]
BRIMHUR - RESULTS | ||
Series 3 | ||
The Third Wars - UK Championship Heat, Round 1 | ||
Heat A, Round 1 | vs. Weeliwako | Lost |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 1
Series Record[]
Series | Brimhur Series Record |
---|---|
The First Wars | Did not enter |
The Second Wars | Did not enter |
The Third Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
The Fourth Wars | Did not enter |
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 |