Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars/Heat C

Heat C
The Robot Wars logo from the introduction titles
Series	The Sixth Wars
Winner(s)	Dantomkia
First Broadcast	September 18th 2002 (BBC Choice) November 22nd 2002 (BBC Two)
Original channel	BBC Choice BBC Two
Preceded by	Heat B
Succeeded by	Heat D

"Welcome to Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars. Heat 3. The return of some old friends like Crushtacean and some old tricks from the arena. Dreams will go up in smoke. The crowd will love it, and they'll go wild for the return of Chaos 2, twice UK Champions. Always feisty, but no longer invincible. Can they hop, skip and jump to victory? Or will the crab-like Crushtacean rise out of the pond life to emerge victorious? Will newcomers Dantomkia win the age old Robot Wars tug of war? Will they toss all comers to oblivion? And what will happen when the toughest and the best meet, greet and turn up the heat? Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars. Let battle commence!"

— Jonathan Pearce's introduction

Heat C of Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars was the third of twelve heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars. The episode featuring Heat C was originally broadcast on September 18, 2002 on BBC Choice and repeated on November 22, 2002 on BBC Two.

"Oh yes. Oh yes. It's Heat 3 and fighting tonight, two time UK champion, Chaos 2! Which, even though it was stripped of its title last year, by Razer, is still one of the feared robots in the world! I mean, going into the warzone's bad enough, without knowing there's a good chance you're gonna get flipped right back out again, although that's what this lot [the audience] wanna see!"

— Craig Charles' introduction

Competing Robots

Newcomers

	Dantomkia
	Weight	100kg
	Dimensions	0.36 x 1.20 x 0.80m
	Power	2 x 750W motors
	Weapons	Powerful flipper
	Strengths	Very agile
	Weaknesses	Nervous driver
From: Chertsey in Surrey
Team Members: Michael Lambert, Daniel Lambert & Steven Gadsby

	Destructosaur
	Weight	100kg
	Dimensions	0.53 x 1.26 x 0.75m
	Power	800W motors
	Weapons	Powerful pincers
	Strengths	Speed
	Weaknesses	No srimech
From: Edinburgh in Scotland
Team Members: Riccardo de Felici, Scott Garland & Martin Cook

	Doctor Fist
	Weight	98kg
	Dimensions	0.50 x 1.00 x 0.92m
	Power	600W motor
	Weapons	Vertical spinning disc
	Strengths	Powerful weaponry
	Weaknesses	Exposed wheels
From: Beverley in East Yorkshire
Team Members: Paul Clark, Chris Clark & Kal Almuktar

	Mr Nasty
	Weight	90kg
	Dimensions	0.26 x 0.95 x 0.80m
	Power	4 x 750W motors
	Weapons	Steel ramming spike
	Strengths	Heavily armoured
	Weaknesses	Easily flipped
From: Wingrave in Aylesbury
Team Members: Perry Watkins, Dan Watkins & Jack Watkins

Veterans

	Chaos 2 (seeded 5th)
	Weight	84kg
	Dimensions	0.42 x 0.92 x 0.63m
	Power	2 x 1KW motors
	Weapons	Powerful flipper
	Strengths	Effective weaponry
	Weaknesses	Easily shunted
From: Bramford in Ipswich
Team Members: George Francis, Ian Swann & Richard Swann

	Crushtacean
	Weight	100kg
	Dimensions	0.40 x 1.35 x 0.85m
	Power	36V electric motor
	Weapons	Crushing claws
	Strengths	Very tough
	Weaknesses	Poor handling
From: Hale in Cheshire
Team Members: Ian Visser & Dominic Visser

	Iron-Awe 2
	Weight	100kg
	Dimensions	0.61 x 1.23 x 0.78m
	Power	2 x 800W motors
	Weapons	Axe and flipper
	Strengths	Destructive weapons
	Weaknesses	Flippable
From: Low Ham in Somerset
Team Members: Gilbert Grimm, Robert Grimm & Adrian Moore

	Mighty Mouse
	Weight	76kg
	Dimensions	0.66 x 1.35 x 0.62m
	Power	2 x 800W motors
	Weapons	High speed rammer
	Strengths	Fast & manoeuvrable
	Weaknesses	Unreliable
From: Clifton in Nottingham
Team Members: Trevor Wright, Matthew Wright & Tony Hillier

Round 1

Chaos 2 (5) vs Destructosaur vs Iron-Awe 2 vs Mighty Mouse

Chaos 2 and Destructosaur are both overturned.

Chaos 2 flips out Iron-Awe 2

The battle started with Chaos 2, Destructosaur, and Iron-Awe 2 coming together. Chaos 2 flipped Destructosaur over, with an Iron-Awe 2 axe blow connecting on Destructosaur as it was in the process of being overturned. The two-time champion put itself in trouble with its flip on Destructosaur though, as it turned itself over. Chaos 2 quickly got back onto its tyres though, as it self-righted, while Mighty Mouse came in with a long-distance charge on Destructosaur. Chaos 2 then decided to attack Iron-Awe 2, and hurled it over the arena wall with a side-on flip, eliminating the Grimm family's machine from the competition.

"And meanwhile, Iron-Awe have gone! Look at that for an attack by Chaos 2 - and yet another robot is flipped out of the arena completely by George Francis and the flip-ability factor of Chaos 2!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Both Chaos 2 and Mighty Mouse then darted around the arena, with both nudging Destructosaur - which was still unable to self right. The next period of the fight was spent with Chaos 2 chasing after Mighty Mouse - causing it to roll over at one stage after bumping into it, before Mighty Mouse temporarily beached itself on Chaos 2's flipper, which was no longer working.

"Boo, Chaos 2 - boo! Don't you touch our little mouse!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Mighty Mouse is pursued by the seed

Chaos 2 is challenged by Mighty Mouse

Mighty Mouse rides up on Chaos 2

Destructosaur is chucked by the Floor Flipper

Meanwhile, Destructosaur was finally being counted out by Refbot, while Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash edged the beaten machine onto the Floor Flipper. Destructosaur darted around the arena after it was thrown back onto its wheels by the arena hazard, but it was too late for Destructosaur to salvage anything from the battle. Cease was called, with Chaos 2 and Mighty Mouse progressing to Round 2.

Qualified: Chaos 2 & Mighty Mouse

Mr Nasty vs Doctor Fist vs Crushtacean vs Dantomkia

"This is gonna be a battle to remember."

— Philippa Forrester

Crushtacean cuts off Mr Nasty's aerial

Dantomkia slams Dr Fist against the side wall

Doctor Fist was immobilised almost from the start, as one of the two petrol engines had already broken before the bout had started, and off-screen, Doctor Fist had also been flipped onto its side, where it could not self-right from. Meanwhile, Crushtacean came in with the first attack of note between the other three machines - shoving Mr Nasty around, and cutting off Mr Nasty's aerial in the process. This meant that the battle had been decided within the opening seconds, leaving the two victorious robots, Dantomkia and Crushtacean, to fight alone.

"Mr Nasty is in all sorts of trouble out there."

— Jonathan Pearce

Doctor Fist stranded on its side

Dantomkia flips the immobile Mr Nasty

Crushtacean, held near the arena wall by Sir Killalot

Dantomkia nearly chucked Crushtacean out of the arena with a strong flip, which left Crushtacean's right-hand claw hanging up on top of the side wall. Dantomkia continued to exhibit its flipping capabilities seconds latter, as it stacked Mr Nasty up against the arena wall, ala Crushtacean. Crushtacean was then removed from its suspended position by Sir Killalot and dragged around the arena for a short period, while Dantomkia continued to play around with Mr Nasty. Crushtacean then came to a stop momentarily after a flip by Dantomkia, which continued to hound it around the arena. After this, Doctor Fist was finally knocked down from its position of immobility by Dantomkia, but by this moment, Doctor Fist had already broken down, and was counted out by Refbot.

"They didn't make much of a fist of it at all, did they?"

— Jonathan Pearce as Doctor Fist is counted out

Doctor Fist is counted out

Dantomkia flips Crushtacean

Sir Killalot pits both Doctor Fist and Mr Nasty

The Pit of Oblivion then descended after Dantomkia accelerated Crushtacean and flipped it onto the bumper. This attack rendered Crushtacean immobile, but it was too late to change Mr Nasty's fate, as it was being counted out by Refbot. Both Mr Nasty and Doctor Fist were then pitted simultaneously by Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash, putting Dantomkia through, and also Crushtacean, despite the crab receiving heavy punishment.

Qualified: Dantomkia & Crushtacean

Round 2

Chaos 2 (5) vs Crushtacean

Chaos 2 and Crushtacean balance on their sides

Chaos 2, partway through freeing itself from the angle grinder

Chaos 2 started the battle with a charge into Crushtacean, which skidded to one side. After jostling for position, both machines locked head on with each other. Chaos 2 then used its flipper, but because of the size of Chaos 2 and the width of Crushtacean's claws, the attack from George Francis' machine left both machines balanced on their sides. Crushtacean landed on its tyres first, and was able to drive Chaos 2 back towards the arena wall. Chaos 2 then attempted to halt Crushtacean's advances with a flip, and although it succeeded in throwing the crab, the attack also left Chaos 2 propped up against an angle grinder.

"Ooh, Chaos is on its side! This really would be a turn-up for the books!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Chaos 2 moved itself away from the arena hazard with a flip, and although it was suspended with its flipper fired open for a short period, its weapon then retracted, allowing it to fire once again, and dropping Chaos 2 back down onto its wheels. Chaos 2 attempted to come onto the attack by meeting Crushtacean front on again, but it was unable to cleanly flip the Series 5 Heat Finalist, which visibly dug its claws into Chaos 2 on its second flip.

"What a great fight this is! Digging down on the front spikes of Chaos 2 to gain purchase on the arena floor."

— Jonathan Pearce as the two machines lock horns again

The two machines lock horns again

Crushtacean drives into the pit

Finally, Chaos 2 was able to turn Crushtacean over with its next attack, and followed this successful attack up with another flip soon after. Crushtacean, now on the back foot, decided to activate the Pit Release bumper. However, Crushtacean's plan backfired, as it began to violently swerve around close to the arena hazard, before reversing itself down into the Pit - giving Chaos 2 a passage through to the Heat Final.

"And they crab sideways, back down into the pool, and the Pit of Oblivion."

— Jonathan Pearce as Crushtacean pits itself

Notably, this was the first time Mr. Psycho was in the arena with a robot other than Growler.

Craig Charles: "What happened, what happened?"

Ian Visser: "Exactly what you saw! I went backwards instead of forwards."

Craig Charles: "But you opened the pit yourself!"

Ian Visser: "Well I did, because George said how much he hated the Pit because he's driven into it himself, and now it's my turn!"

— A cruel twist of fate for Crushtacean

Winner: Chaos 2

Mighty Mouse vs Dantomkia

Dantomkia carries Mighty Mouse across the arena floor

Mighty Mouse is nearly flipped out of the arena

Dantomkia did the chasing in the opening moments, as Mighty Mouse ran around the arena. Dantomkia then shovelled the mouse onto its front and drove it across the arena floor, but Mighty Mouse slipped away before Dantomkia's flipping arm came into action. Mighty Mouse attempted to back into space after this charge, but Dantomkia was in hot pursuit, and this time came in with a flip which very nearly flicked Mighty Mouse out of the arena, as it dropped onto the top of the arena wall.

"Mighty Mouse, bounced away. That was a close squeak."

— Jonathan Pearce as Mighty Mouse narrowly avoids being flipped out of the arena

Dantomkia continued its strong period by forcing Mighty Mouse towards Sir Killalot, before throwing Mighty Mouse into the Disc of Doom release bumper, where it was left stranded on its side. Refbot knocked Mighty Mouse back onto its wheels, but Trevor Wright's machine found itself in an identical situation moments later, as it glancing drive from Dantomkia propped Mighty Mouse back onto its side, next to the Disc of Doom itself. Dantomkia knocked Mighty Mouse in action again while missing with a flip, with Mighty Mouse now also beginning to lose pieces of itself - with one of its ears and the rear stabiliser of its tail falling off.

"Damage limitation? Just stay out of trouble?"

— Jonathan Pearce on the pressured Mighty Mouse

Mighty Mouse, up against the Disc of Doom release bumper

Dantomkia flips Mighty Mouse out of the arena

Dantomkia's next flip crashed Mighty Mouse into a side angle grinder, before a minor repositioning from Michael Lambert allowed him to squeeze underneath Mighty Mouse, which allowed him to then flick it out of the arena.

"The tail came off, but the end of this particular tale, is gory for fans of mice."

— Jonathan Pearce

Dantomkia was through to the Heat Final, and it celebrated this feat by spinning around and firing its flipper in the centre of the arena.

Craig Charles: "The word in the pits is, this Dantomkia is a mighty-fine robot"

Trevor Wright: "It's an extremely fine robot."

Craig Charles: "He's making waves, isn't he?"

Trevor Wright: "He is making waves - I expect him to go a long way"

— The defeated Trevor Wright, full of praise for Dantomkia

Winner: Dantomkia

Final

"I like Dantomkia. Too strong for Mighty Mouse and through to the heat final. And what a final against the twice UK champion, Chaos 2. This is some battle."

— Jonathan Pearce

Chaos 2 (5) vs Dantomkia

"...I'm gonna go for the new kids on the block, Dantomkia."

— Craig Charles chooses the robot he thinks will win

Chaos 2 launches Dantomkia into the air

Both machines flail around in the CPZ

Both machines cautiously edged around for a couple of seconds, before Dantomkia slipped up onto Chaos 2's flipper panel. Chaos 2 used this opportunity to throw Dantomkia over to the arena wall, before the two machines engaged front on. Chaos 2 arced around, arena-wall side of Dantomkia, which subsequently allowed Dantomkia to drive Chaos 2 back towards an unoccupied CPZ. After its rear touched the arena wall, Chaos 2 activated its flipper, which chucked Dantomkia over and onto the red red warning of the CPZ, while also overturning itself. As Shunt charged in, both machines attempted to self right. Chaos 2 found its efforts disrupted by the House Robot, while Dantomkia was only able to fling itself onto the arena wall until Sir Killalot came across and nudged the yellow and black machine, which allowed it to finally edge back down onto the arena floor.

"We've got some drama in that CPZ, I can tell you - Dantomkia OK, they're first up and away!"

— Jonathan Pearce as a frantic period of action unfolds

Dantomkia crashes into Chaos 2

Dantomkia prepares to make its final attack in the episode

Over and out for Chaos 2

Meanwhile, Chaos 2's flips became increasingly limp, and the situation was made worse for George Francis' team after Shunt repositioned Chaos 2 - leaving its back against the arena wall, and therefore allowing it no space to cleanly self right anymore. The now composed Dantomkia was able to come in with a drive on Chaos 2, slamming it into the arena wall. Chaos 2 continued its attempts to self right, but was unable to, and with Shunt now vacating the CPZ, Dantomkia was able to line up a drive, press Chaos 2 up against the arena wall, and then flick it sideways and out of the arena.

"And they're out, over and out, Chaos 2 have gone! For the first time ever that machine has failed to reach a series semi-final. And Dantomkia, Michael Lambert, Daniel his son, Steven Gadsby. Brilliant. Dantomkia are through to the series semis. What a performance. What a machine. This could go all the way."

— Jonathan Pearce as Dantomkia secures a famous victory

Dantomkia had completed a notable feat in its debut campaign, and was through to the series Semi-Finals, as the winner of Heat C. It would repeat this feat in the following series.

Craig Charles: "We all thought you were coming back to reclaim your title. Where did it all go wrong? Tell me."

George Francis: "Well, better robot - better robot. A new breed of robots, you see."

— George Francis commends Dantomkia's impact in its maiden campaign

Heat Winner: Dantomkia

"We've had some surprises, and some real uproars, now Chaos 2 are out, of Robot Wars!"

— Craig Charles' sign-off

Trivia

• This heat marked the first time that a previous champion was knocked out of the heats, as Series 3 and 4 champion Chaos 2 fell in the heat final. The other heats were Heat I of the Sixth Wars and Heat M of the Seventh Wars, both seeing Panic Attack beaten, Razer in the first Heat of Series 8, and Apollo in Heat 5 of Series 9 and Heat 1 of Series 10.
• This was the final time that Chaos 2 appeared in the main competition, and the only time that it failed to reach the Series Semi-Finals. It was the first seed in Series 6 to fall.
• Chaos 2's very last Out of the Arena flip was in this heat, against Iron-Awe 2 in the first round. Interestingly, Dantomkia's first ever Out of the Arena flip occurred against Mighty Mouse three battles later.
• Along with Heat I and Heat K, there were no judges' decisions in this episode.
• This episode contains exactly half of the total number of Out of the Arenas achieved in Series 6, with three out of the six flips performed in this episode.
• The post-Heat Final interview with Mike Lambert of Team Dantomkia was used in a sketch on "Harry Hill's TV Burp", which mocked the esoteric terms used by roboteers.
• During the interview with the Dantomkia team after the heat final, Michael Lambert referred to George Francis as "John" at one point but corrected himself.
• This was the only episode of Series 6 not to have clips from battles in the heat shown before cutting Jonathan Pearce announcing the first round battles.
• Dantomkia fought Iron-Awe 2 in the Extreme 2 Challenge Belt which leaves Destructosaur the only robot in this heat not to fight Dantomkia at any point because it only appeared in this episode.
• After the first melee, Iron-Awe 2 was listed as "Iron-Awe" on the battle board.
• Only four House Robots appeared throughout the whole episode - Sir Killalot in all five battles, Sergeant Bash in both first round battles, Mr. Psycho in both second round battles and Shunt in the heat final.