- "Welcome to Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars. Time to slice and dice. This is Heat 5. Eight manic, metal munching machines to send the crowd into a frenzy and opponents to robot heaven. Could we be seeing a genuine title contender in 259? Will the House Robots hold sway? Or in the twisting, turning, churning arena, will another dashing blade finally emerge? Seatbelts on. Reach for your helmet. Prepare to get dizzy as we leave them all in a tizzy. I can promise you that sparks will fly as the blades whir and bite deep and the hungry audience bays for carnage. Perhaps the pit will be a welcome release because look what we're about to unleash. Vicious, dangerous, cruel, unrelenting, merciless. Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars. Time for 259."
- — Jonathan Pearce's introduction
Heat E of Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars was the fifth of twelve heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars. The episode featuring Heat E was originally broadcast on 20 September 2002 on BBC Choice and repeated on 6 December 2002 on BBC Two.
Competing Robots[]
Newcomers[]
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|---|---|---|
| Infernal Contraption | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.35 x 0.68 x 0.83m | |
| Power | 4 x 24V motors | |
| Weapons | Spinning drum | |
| Strengths | Reversible weapon | |
| Weaknesses | Radio reception | |
| From: Battersea, London | ||
| Team Members: Jonathan Pillai, Gary Ewer & Ray Thompson | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Infinity | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.29 x 1.35 x 1.04m | |
| Power | 4 x 750W motors | |
| Weapons | Claws & spikes | |
| Strengths | Invertible | |
| Weaknesses | Inexperienced team | |
| From: Aberystwyth, Wales | ||
| Team Members: Carl Bater, Steve Fearn & Matt Meaney | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Stag | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.27 x 1.40 x 0.90m | |
| Power | 2 x 800W electric motors | |
| Weapons | Crushing pincers | |
| Strengths | Very powerful weapon | |
| Weaknesses | Exposed wheels | |
| From: Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire | ||
| Team Members: Terry Martin, David Martin & Mark Pepper | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vader | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.67 x 1.04 x 1.02m | |
| Power | 3 x 800W motors | |
| Weapons | Disc, spikes & scoop | |
| Strengths | Agility & control | |
| Weaknesses | Vulnerable to axe attack | |
| From: Clacton-on-Sea, Essex | ||
| Team Members: Paul Rose, Simon Latham & Phillip Calthorpe | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| UFO | ||
| Weight | 98kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.32 x 1.22 x 0.67m | |
| Power | 2 x 800W motors | |
| Weapons | Jaw and spikes | |
| Strengths | Invertible | |
| Weaknesses | Poor grip | |
| From: Vale of Glamorgan, Wales | ||
| Team Members: Peter Whithers & Nic Browning | ||
Veterans[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wild Thing (seeded 9th) | ||
| Weight | 97kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.40 x 0.83 x 0.81m | |
| Power | 2 x 375W motors | |
| Weapons | Vertical cutting disc | |
| Strengths | Experienced competitor | |
| Weaknesses | Exposed tyres | |
| From: Ash, Hampshire | ||
| Team Members: Nick Adams & Isabelle Adams | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aggrobot 3 | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.36 x 1.50 x 1.07m | |
| Power | 2 x 500W motors | |
| Weapons | Cutting jaws and lifter | |
| Strengths | Fast, agile & tough | |
| Weaknesses | Subject to driver error | |
| From: Dorking, Surrey | ||
| Team Members: Peter Leach, Bob Leach & Jon Leach | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 259 | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.77 x 1.10 x 0.80m | |
| Power | 600W motor | |
| Weapons | Vertical spinner | |
| Strengths | Potentially lethal weapon | |
| Weaknesses | Low strike rate | |
| From: Chadwell Heath, Essex | ||
| Team Members: Adam Clark | ||
Round 1[]
- "What a lucky audience we have here tonight. Eight awesome robots for them to see. For the first round, they'll be split into two four way melees, so let's see who meets who."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Aggrobot 3 vs 259 vs Infernal Contraption vs Infinity[]
Infernal Contraption is attacked early on by 259
259 attacks Infinity and Infernal Contraption together
Aggrobot 3 wedges under Infernal Contraption
Aggrobot 3 began the match by running at Infinity and driving under it. 259 and Infernal Contraption drove around each other until 259 charged at Infernal Contraption, ripping pieces of armour off. Infinity then grabbed hold of Infernal Contraption and pushed it along the arena until 259 buckled it's claws with its ferocious spinning disc. 259 then attacked Infinity's back panel while Aggrobot 3 wedged under Infernal Contraption and edged it across the arena.
Infinity drives into the pit
Three robots remain
Infinity then got away from 259, pushed the pit release, drove over the pit which had not yet opened and spun back onto the pit as it started to descend, eliminating the Welsh machine.
- "And Infinity has decided enough is enough, and they've driven straight into the pit!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
259 throws Infernal Contraption into the arena wall
Infernal Contraption becomes stuck on the pit
259 then attacked Infernal Contraption's wheels with shreds of rubber going everywhere. 259 delivered a couple more blows onto Infernal Contraption, which started spinning in circles and 259 delivered another hit which sent it bouncing along the arena wall and destroying Infernal Contraption's armour. 259 delivered another hit which also bounced along the arena wall. With internals hanging loose, Infernal Contraption was edged towards the pit by Sir Killalot, and it attempted to drive down the pit. Infernal Contraption could not fall in, but it was rendered immobile, and Refbot counted it out.
- "Infinity. All that money. All that time. All that effort. And they drive themselves into the pit. Infernal Contraption, the boys from Battersea, they got battered. 259 and Aggrobot 3 go through!"
- — Craig Charles
Qualified: Aggrobot 3 & 259
The Stag vs Vader vs UFO vs Wild Thing (9)[]
- "Adam Clark, brilliant design for 259 and Aggrobot 3. They're through. Infernal Contraption and Infinity have gone beyond. Time for four more!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
The Stag breaks through Wild Thing's armour
Vader shreds The Stag's wheel
UFO slowly moved towards Vader as The Stag grabbed hold of Wild Thing. In the process, The Stag's claws pierced through Wild Thing's bottom plating, allowing it to push Wild Thing around. The robots all stayed out of each other's reach for a couple of seconds before The Stag grabbed Wild Thing again. Despite The Stag's early success, Vader cut the rubber of one of The Stag's wheels and then crumpled one of the claws, crippling the robot by rendering it unable to move in a straight direction. The Stag then drove into Sir Killalot's CPZ and tried to grab Wild Thing again. Sir Killalot picked it up and spun it around, hitting a few lights in the progress.
- "It's beginning now, to hot up a little bit."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wild Thing, Vader and UFO connect
The Stag's chicken in Sir Killalot's clutches
UFO joins Vader and Wild Thing's tussle on the flame pit
Vader's spinning disc comes to a stop
UFO pits The Stag
Meanwhile, Vader and Wild Thing exchanged hits, while UFO attempted to hit them with its spike. Wild Thing hit the rear end of Vader with its cutting disc while UFO hit the pit release button. UFO seemed to get its weapon stuck in the button, so Vader attacked it, also freeing UFO in the process. Refbot started to count The Stag out while Vader attacked UFO. Sir Killalot found the chicken mascot of The Stag and held it up with its claw, while The Stag spun in circles to try and prove mobility. Wild Thing was then pushed against an angle grinder by Vader before UFO and Vader pulled it away. Wild Thing seemed to be stuck to Vader, as its disc has gone through Vader's shell. All of a sudden, the disc of Vader stopped spinning. To finish the match, UFO pushed The Stag down the pit, despite there being no points to earn from attacking a defeated robot. The judges put Wild Thing and Vader through to Round 2.
- "The judges have made their decision. And this was not easy. Very close. But the judges have gone for Vader and Wild Thing!"
- — Craig Charles announces the two robots who go through to the next round
Qualified: Wild Thing & Vader
Round 2[]
- "Off out of our solar system anyway, UFO and The Stag. Through go Wild Thing and Vader. And in Round 2, in just a few moments, Wild Thing will meet 259. First up, Vader and Aggrobot 3."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Vader vs Aggrobot 3[]
The fatal hit from Vader
Aggrobot didn't move very much at the start of the battle while Vader chased it. Aggrobot 3 then reversed onto Vader's spinning disc, flicking it over. The blow seemed to immobilise Aggrobot 3 as Vader slammed into it again. After one more blow, Dead Metal grabbed hold of Aggrobot 3 and carved into it.
- "And has that slam, bam, no thank you mam, hurt Aggrobot 3?"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Aggrobot just before being pitted
Vader then attacked the gripping claws on the back of Aggrobot 3 while Refbot counted it out. Dead Metal pushed it along the arena floor as Matilda pressed the pit release. Dead Metal then pushed Aggrobot 3 into the pit.
- "Aggrobot immobilised and then tossed into the pit oblivion. Vader go through to the heat final!"
- — Craig Charles
Winner: Vader
259 vs Wild Thing (9)[]
- "In the words of the poet, Charles, you may be a clever dick but Aggrobot 3, I bet you feel sick. Vader through to meet either Wild Thing or 259."
- — Jonathan Pearce
259's relentless assault on Wild Thing
259 maintains its offence towards Wild Thing
Wild Thing ran away from 259 at the start of the battle. But, 259 came on the attack as it flung Wild Thing through the air several times in a barrage of attacks. This sequence of attacks threw Wild Thing into the arena wall, overturning the robot several times, and caving in Wild Thing's front panel. The robots separated, and 259 was also able to throw Wild Thing over in the centre of the arena.
- "This is determined 'destructability' from 259, dog with a bone, there!"
- — Jonathan Pearce on 259's initial onslaught
259's weapon belt slips
Wild Thing then became stuck on the back of 259 for a while. However, when Wild Thing retaliated, it drove up the body of 259, and connected with the belt driving 259's flywheel. 259 slammed into the arena wall to get Wild Thing off. When 259 sliced into Wild Thing again, Wild Thing was tossed through the air, but 259's vulnerable belt driving the flywheel came off, rendering 259's weapon useless - although Wild Thing had also been rendered weaponless.
- "Without that wheel, what has 259 got?"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wild Thing bites under 259's side flanges
It was then 259 that started to run away and hit the pit release button. Wild Thing tried to push it down but 259 moved away. 259 started using its low profile to slip underneath Wild Thing, and drive in reverse to push Wild Thing around. Wild Thing kept piggybacking on 259 and both robots were able to manoeuvre each other onto the flame pit, and into the arena walls.
- "Wild Thing has come right back in this after 259's destructive onslaught early on."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wild Thing rides up the immobile 259
259 lies dormant, but reaches an adjudication
The robots continued a closely-waged fight, until 259 stopped moving towards the end of the battle. Wild Thing briefly became stuck on top of the immobile 259, but managed to reverse away, and slam 259 into the disc of doom trigger. 259, having dominated the early stages of the battle, was left immobile for twenty-six seconds, narrowly avoiding a loss by knockout, so the battle could be sent to a Judges' decision. However, on the basis of 259's immobility, Wild Thing was awarded the victory, to the dismay of the crowd, judging panel and Jonathan Pearce.
- Philippa Forrester: "What happened? Surely 259 should've won on aggression!"
- Noel Sharkey: "It should've won easily, we're very sad about making the decision, 259 battered Wild Thing all over there, the new Wild Thing performed very badly. Ultimately, 259 was immobilised."
- — Justification behind Wild Thing's victory
Winner: Wild Thing
Final[]
Vader vs Wild Thing (9)[]
Vader attacks Wild Thing 2
Wild Thing charged straight towards Vader at the start and Vader flung Wild Thing away using its disc. Vader ran away before Wild Thing charged at it again. Vader swung round as it tried to hit Wild Thing but Shunt gave it a blow from its axe. Wild Thing and Vader pushed each other for a while before Sir Killalot separated the two. Vader hung over the flame pit while trying to hit Wild Thing. As Vader moved away, it stopped. Wild Thing hit Vader a few more times before it ran away. Vader was pushed by Wild Thing into Shunt's corner patrol zone and Shunt gave Vader a few more whacks with its axe. The second blow hit Vader's spinning blade, stopping it for a few seconds.
Wild Thing's blade becomes stuck in Vader's armour
Wild Thing pushes Vader into Shunt who stops Vader's spinning disc with his axe
Wild Thing's blade got stuck in Vader's armour. Refbot and Sir Killalot tried to separate the two. Shunt managed to separate the two by lifting Vader. Vader then drove across the arena to the pit release and activated it.
- "Wild Thing on top here for me, but it's been a good old battle, hasn't it?"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wild Thing and Vader fail to separate
Both robots lingered around the pit and drove away as cease was called. The judges decided that Wild Thing was the winner.
- "Well. The judges have made their decision. And it's unanimous. Based on style, control, damage and aggression. They've gone for the ninth seeds Wild Thing!"
- — Craig Charles
Heat Winner: Wild Thing
- "If you think our robots can be had by yours, then come and have a go, on Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trivia[]
- The outcome of the battle between Wild Thing and 259 was one of the only decisions that Philippa Forrester was noticeably upset at, leading to the only time whereby she questioned the Judges over their decision to award the battle to Wild Thing.
- During the second melee, Jonathan Pearce said that Wild Thing made it to the Semi-Final of its Heat in Series 5, when it actually progressed to the overall Semi-Finals in that series. This contradicted a quote spoken before the battle that Wild Thing had made it to the Semi-Finals in previous occasions.
- During a post-battle interview following the conclusion of Wild Thing vs 259, a backstage announcer can be heard introducing Aggrobot 3 into the arena. This suggests that both Round 2 battles were actually filmed in the opposite order to how they were aired.
- This Heat contained three Judges' decisions, all of which involved Wild Thing. The only two matches not to go to the Judges contained Aggrobot 3.
- Five robots from this Heat returned for Series 7 - Aggrobot, Infernal Contraption, The Stag, UFO and Vader. UFO was the only one of those five to make it past the first round in Series 7.
- Infernal Contraption and Infinity would meet each other again in the Extreme 2 University Challenge, once again with Sgt Bash and Sir Killalot as House Robots.
- This Heat was the only time in three series that Vader progressed beyond the first round.
- This was the only Heat of Series 6 where the concluding 'next episode' preview showed clips from both first-round melees of the following Heat.
- For unknown reasons, this episode and Heat F used the Extreme 1/Series 5-style title sequence rather than the updated sequence introduced for this series.
- During his guest interview with Jonathan Pearce prior to the Heat Final, Craig Charles briefly stated that Wild Thing was equipped with a flipper and spinning disc, despite the Series 6 version only being designed with the latter weapon type.
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