- "Right then, you lot. You've been good all week, you've worked hard, you've been good to your Granny. So get ready for your reward! 'Cause it's time to go ballistic! Time to take no prisoners! Are you ready to rock the warzone?"
- — Craig Charles' introduction.
Heat I of Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars (also referred to in recaps as Heat 9) was the ninth of twelve heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars. The episode was originally broadcast on 16 May 2002 on BBC Choice and repeated on 6 September 2002 on BBC Two.
Competing Robots[]
Newcomers[]
VIPER 01 | ||
Weight | 98kg | |
Dimensions | 0.38 x 1.46 x 0.91m | |
Power | 2 x 800W motors | |
Weapons | 4000rpm cutting disc | |
Strengths | Runs both ways up | |
Weaknesses | Reliability of motors | |
From: Aintree | ||
Team Members: Nigel Kerr, Alan Stein & Simone Stein |
Tip-Top | ||
Weight | 100kg | |
Dimensions | 0.34 x 1.05 x 0.73m | |
Power | Petrol engine | |
Weapons | Horizontal disc | |
Strengths | Runs both ways up | |
Weaknesses | First time contenders | |
From: Bransgore | ||
Team Members: Robin Hoad, William Hoad & Dennis Hoad |
Eleven | ||
Weight | 194kg | |
Dimensions | 1.83 x 2.58 x 1.19m | |
Power | 24V hydraulic power pack | |
Weapons | Hydraulic jaws | |
Strengths | Comparatively heavy | |
Weaknesses | Extremely slow | |
From: Guildford | ||
Team Members: Peter Eagling & James Eagling |
Veterans[]
3 Stegs 2 Heaven (seeded 8th) | ||
Weight | 96kg | |
Dimensions | 0.24 x 1.12 x 0.79m | |
Power | 2 x 750W motors | |
Weapons | Spinning cutter | |
Strengths | Invertible | |
Weaknesses | Effectiveness of weapon | |
From: Lordshill | ||
Team Members: Peter Rowe, Danny King & Richard Francis |
Splinter (seeded 17th) | ||
Weight | 96kg | |
Dimensions | 0.65 x 1.35 x 0.8m | |
Power | 750W electric motor | |
Weapons | Grabbing arms & axe | |
Strengths | Synergy of weapons | |
Weaknesses | Poor armour | |
From: Thorpe Marriott | ||
Team Members: Stuart Weightman & Craig Weightman |
Bigger Brother | ||
Weight | 99kg | |
Dimensions | 0.91 x 0.8 x 0.8m | |
Power | 2 x 750W electric motors | |
Weapons | Pneumatic flipper | |
Strengths | Powerful weapon | |
Weaknesses | Limited CO2 supply | |
From: Brighton | ||
Team Members: Ian Watts, Joe Watts & Ellie Watts |
Tetanus | ||
Weight | 100kg | |
Dimensions | 0.6 x 1.26 x 0.94m | |
Power | 24V fan motors | |
Weapons | Crusher, lifter & spikes | |
Strengths | Self-righting mechanism | |
Weaknesses | Effectiveness of armour | |
From: Richard's Castle | ||
Team Members: Paul Snook, Conrad Snook & Luke Angell |
Onslaught | ||
Weight | 99kg | |
Dimensions | 0.33 x 1.02 x 0.56m | |
Power | 36V forklift motor | |
Weapons | Lifting scoop & spikes | |
Strengths | Experienced roboteers | |
Weaknesses | Exposed wheels | |
From: Queens Park | ||
Team Members: Alan Wood, David Wood & Mark Holland |
Eliminators[]
Splinter (17) vs VIPER 01[]

Splinter grips VIPER 01
The battle started very slowly, as an incredibly sluggish VIPER 01 was caught by the grabbing arms of Splinter and axed multiple times, causing small dents.
- "They say they can get up to 15mph, VIPER 01, I'm not too sure whether they're going to get to 1mph"
- — Jonathan Pearce as VIPER 01 struggles to get going

VIPER 01 is attacked from all sides
Splinter pushed its opponent into Shunt which also axed VIPER 01 in a pincer attack, with the two axe wielding robots on either side of VIPER 01, punching holes in its armour, but without causing critical damage. VIPER 01 could only spin its weapon at thin air in retaliation. Splinter shoved VIPER 01 towards Shunt again, and Shunt and Dead Metal attacked along with Splinter.
- "The Viper has slithered on its belly to defeat."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Shunt dragged VIPER 01 onto the Flame Pit, but it barely survived for a Judges' decision. However, they were well in favour of Splinter.
Winner: Splinter
Tip-Top vs Bigger Brother[]
Bigger Brother flips out Tip-Top
Tip-Top tried to get its weapon up to an appropriate spinning speed, but Bigger Brother immediately flipped it over before it could get the chance. Bigger Brother then pushed Tip-Top and flipped it onto the arena wall. Bigger Brother backed away briefly before coming in again and lifting Tip-Top out of the arena in just 24 seconds.
- "Tip-toppled out of the arena! Bigger Brother through, and emphatically so!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Winner: Bigger Brother
Tetanus vs Onslaught[]

Onslaught flips Tetanus up

Onslaught is turned over
Onslaught started the much faster, running rings around Tetanus and lifting Tetanus using its front scoop. As Onslaught went for the pit release button, it became trapped on the front lifter of Tetanus, which duly flipped Onslaught onto its side. Tetanus then set about repeatedly blocking Onslaught from self-righting, by using its prongs to push the veteran robot across the arena. Onslaught kept falling on its back when it attempted to self-right.
- "They're in trouble here, Onslaught, because Tetanus turned them turtle early on, and are preventing them from self-righting."
- — Jonathan Pearce

Tetanus pins Onslaught down

The steam vent immobilises Tetanus
Tetanus pushed Onslaught towards the Flame Pit, but drove over a steam vent, causing it to break down. By now, Onslaught was also immobilised and had stopped trying to self-right. The Judges ruled in favour of Tetanus.
- "The Judges have made a decision, and for once I agree with them! The winners are Tetanus!"
- — Craig Charles after the battle
Winner: Tetanus
3 Stegs 2 Heaven (8) vs Eleven[]

3 Stegs 2 Heaven is trapped in Eleven's cables
Eleven made incredibly slow progress across the arena floor in the opening seconds, allowing 3 Stegs 2 Heaven to choose its angle of attack. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven then got its spinning disc to sever a hydraulic pipe on one of the back legs of Eleven, making hydraulic fluid spew across the arena floor.
- "Hydraulic fluid being spewed all over the arena floor. That, of course, was always likely to be its Achilles heel."
- — Jonathan Pearce on Eleven

Eleven and 3 Stegs 2 Heaven are both counted out
The eighth seed attacked again, this time on the middle of Eleven's body. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven had got itself snagged in a wire on Eleven, meaning it was stuck, while Eleven had been immobilised.
- "I think they're snagged on Eleven, on the cabling."
- — Jonathan Pearce as 3 Stegs 2 Heaven gets caught up in Eleven
The Judges had to make a third decision, ruling in favour of 3 Stegs 2 Heaven.
Winner: 3 Stegs 2 Heaven
Semi-Finals[]
Splinter (17) vs Bigger Brother[]

Bigger Brother turns Splinter over
Splinter is hurled out of the arena
Splinter drove around Bigger Brother in an attempt to avoid its flipper, but soon was lifted by Bigger Brother without it toppling over. It was then tossed over by Bigger Brother before rolling down onto its wheels. Bigger Brother then threw Splinter onto its back again, pushed it to the arena wall then flipped the 17th seeded robot out of the arena, with the fight lasting a mere 34 seconds.
- "Splinter here has no answer and follows the way of Tip-Top out of the arena!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Winner: Bigger Brother
Tetanus vs 3 Stegs 2 Heaven (8)[]

Tetanus lifts 3 Stegs 2 Heaven. Note the severed prong

The limping 3 Stegs 2 Heaven hits the immobile Tetanus
Tetanus started by ramming its opponent, and eventually got its prongs underneath 3 Stegs 2 Heaven. Tetanus pushed 3 Stegs 2 Heaven towards the arena side wall and onto an angle grinder. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven was struggling with manoeuvrability, but as Tetanus lifted it, 3 Stegs 2 Heaven managed to use its spinning blade to snap off one of the claws of Tetanus. Tetanus continued to balance 3 Stegs 2 Heaven on its centre prong until it tried to press down on the eighth seeded robot.
- "And it's balanced very delicately - the machine, and the battle I would say"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Tetanus continues to balance 3 Stegs To Heaven on its prong just after sustaining damage

Tetanus is pitted by Sgt. Bash
Refbot separated the pair, and it became evident that Tetanus was immobilised.
- "I don't think the 3 Stegs boys have an opponent that is mobile."
- — Jonathan Pearce
3 Stegs 2 Heaven cut off one of the wheel guards of Tetanus before Refbot counted it out. Matilda ripped off the other wheel guard and Sgt. Bash dragged Tetanus into the Pit.
Winner: 3 Stegs 2 Heaven
Heat Final[]
3 Stegs 2 Heaven (8) vs Bigger Brother[]

Bigger Brother flips the 8th seed

The Pit pile-up
Bigger Brother tried to flip 3 Stegs 2 Heaven almost right from the start, but missed. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven reversed straight onto the Flame Pit and got its castor wheel stuck. After a few seconds, it escaped and was flipped by Bigger Brother. Bigger Brother flipped 3 Stegs 2 Heaven onto its side then the arena side wall and tried to throw it out of the arena.
- "Don't go near the arena side wall, 3 Stegs, we've seen what Bigger Brother can do! They're relentless!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Bigger Brother failed, putting 3 Stegs 2 Heaven back in the battle. Bigger Brother backed the seeded robot into the CPZ and flipped Shunt over. Sir Killalot grabbed 3 Stegs 2 Heaven and picked it up. After letting go, Bigger Brother lifted 3 Stegs 2 Heaven onto the side wall again. Refbot freed it though and Bigger Brother started to attack Sir Killalot. Bigger Brother tried to flip Sir Killalot from the side and rear.
- ""Catch me if you can, catch me if you can..." No, no, no, no, no, that's a little bit too ambitious. Ian, don't try and flip Killalot."
- — Jonathan Pearce as the Bigger Brother driver tempts fate with the House Robot
Bigger Brother turned 3 Stegs 2 Heaven over once more before lifting it onto the side wall, where Refbot finally counted it out. Sir Killalot activated the Pit and as Bigger Brother was pushing 3 Stegs 2 Heaven into the Pit, Sir Killalot pushed the pair in and drove in himself. Sir Killalot was able to reverse out, and Bigger Brother was the heat winner.
Heat Winner: Bigger Brother
- "See the crowds, hear the roars, they love a little bit, of Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trivia[]
- Bigger Brother was the second of two unseeded robots to qualify from its heat in this series, and the last ever to defeat two seeded robots to win a heat since in both subsequent wars of the original run, only one seed was featured in a single heat.
- This episode was the final appearance of the Jurassic Park team.
- Bigger Brother's defeat of Tip-Top is ranked 23rd in Shortest Battles in UK Robot Wars. Its battle against Splinter is just outside the top 30.
- The defeat of 3 Stegs 2 Heaven signified the second occurrence of the 8th Seed Curse.
- Both of the seeds in this episode (Splinter and 3 Stegs 2 Heaven) attempted and failed to qualify for series 6 with both Team Ivanhoe and Team Jurassic Park retiring after this.
- Part of Craig Charles' intro to this episode- 'Robots, come on! Do your worst! Let the wars begin!'- was reused in Heat L.
- VIPER 01 marked the first instance of a team that had debuted in a side competition for a lower weight class entering a heavyweight, which future champions Team Typhoon would later do.
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