Robot Wars: The Third Wars/Heat A

Heat A
The Robot Wars logo from the introduction titles
Series	The Third Wars
Winner(s)	Mace 2
Special Event	Pinball
First Broadcast	December 3rd 1999
Original channel	BBC Two
TV Ratings	4.3 million
Preceded by	Grudge Match Special (regular episode) The Best of Robot Wars (special episode)
Succeeded by	Heat B

"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the garage: Robot Wars three. The truce is in tatters, the troops have been rallied, and household appliances across the nation have gone missing. But don't worry madam, it's all for a good cause, because this promises to be the biggest, the baddest and most destructive war yet. And why? Because these robots were built to fight each other, and who are we to stop them?"

— Craig Charles' introduction

Heat A of Robot Wars: The Third Wars was the first of sixteen heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Third Wars. The episode featuring Heat A was originally broadcast on December 3, 1999 on BBC Two.

• Heat A was the début of both Weeliwako and Stinger - the first torque reaction axlebots in Robot Wars. Stinger in particular would go on to great success, despite its poor performance in its fight against Mace 2.
• This heat marked Suicidal Tendencies's only main competition loss in which it did not break down.
• Mace 2 was the winner of the heat, one of only three of Series 2's semi-finalists to make the Series 3 semi-finals.

Competing Robots

Newcomers

	Brimhur
	Weight	77.9kg
	Dimensions	0.24 x 1.14 x 0.69m
	Clearance	0.06m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Steel Spike
	Notes	Can Operate Upside-Down
From: Oldham
Team Members: Mike Mackenzie, Paul Mainwaring, Daniel Hudson

	Forklift's Revenge
	Weight	77.2kg
	Dimensions	0.55 x 0.94 x 0.65m
	Clearance	0.05m
	Power	4 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Toothed Chain Drive
	Notes	Cost £352.67
From: Ipswich
Team Members: John Benton, Bob Benton, Andrew Shorter

	Red Dragon
	Weight	79.5kg
	Dimensions	0.67 x 1.29 x 0.71m
	Clearance	0.03 - 0.10m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic Claws & Lift
	Notes	Cost £1,398.70
From: Sunderland
Team Members: Tom Armstrong, Tom Armstrong Jr, Steve Armstrong

	Stinger
	Weight	73.8kg
	Dimensions	0.46 x 0.98 x 0.72m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	2 x Electric Motors
	Weapons	5kg Tail Wheel
	Notes	Cost £750
From: Lincoln
Team Members: Kevin Scott, Karl Skinner, Jonathan Pillai

	Suicidal Tendencies
	Weight	72.1kg
	Dimensions	0.29 x 0.99 x 0.55m
	Clearance	0.04m
	Power	1 x Mini Starter Motor
	Weapons	Milling Cutters
	Notes	Aluminium + Steel Shell
From: Derby
Team Members: Andrew Jeffrey, Martin Jeffrey, Charles Binns

	Weeliwako
	Weight	78.3kg
	Dimensions	1.43 x 0.57 x 1.00m
	Clearance	0.03m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Spikes
	Notes	Aluminium Beer Barrel Body
From: Brighton
Team Members: John Wyatt, Lorne Baker, Raymond Taylor

Veterans

	Mace 2
	Weight	78.6kg
	Dimensions	0.37 x 1.14 x 0.77m
	Clearance	0.03m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair Motors
	Weapons	Lift & Ram At The Front
	Notes	Aluminium Body
From: East Sussex
Team Members: Shane Howard, Brian Fountain

	Raizer Blade
	Weight	77.8kg
	Dimensions	0.59 x 1.68 x 0.76m
	Clearance	0.02m
	Power	2 x Electric Motors
	Weapons	Chainsaw & Hydraulic Lift
	Notes	Aluminium + Steel Shell
From: Cambridge
Team Members: Paul Hart, Howard Andrews, Steve Scotcher

Round 1

Stinger vs Mace 2

Mace 2 deflects an attack from Stinger

Stinger topples into the pit

Stinger in the pit

Mace 2 started much faster and closed the distance between the robots, reaching Stinger just as it began to move. Stinger braked and swung its weapon across, but Mace 2 was too close and the attack was simply deflected onto the ground.

"And again Stinger crashes that great grinding wheel against the floor of the arena - what on earth for? Wasted energy there!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Stinger moved away and attempted to swing its weapon, but Mace 2 kept in close proximity, preventing Stinger from gaining advantage. Stinger moved back and drove at Mace 2, its weapon deflecting off the robots side and sending Stinger flailing on one wheel and then down. Mace 2 fired its flipper several times, but the axlebot was resistant to the weapon. Mace 2 bumped Stinger twice, easily avoiding the weapon, before both robots reversed away. Mace 2 pulled out of reverse cleanly, but Stinger flailed and rolled over and over.

"Do they really know what they're doing? Should we have tested them for booze beforehand, I wonder?"

— Jonathan Pearce

Mace 2 pressured Stinger, causing it to roll further towards the pit. Stinger turned, its weapon clashing against the side wall and sending a shower of sparks. It then drove straight into the approaching Mace 2, bouncing off and falling into the pit.

"Well it was only a matter of time, absolute Loony Tunes from the Stinger team."

— Jonathan Pearce

Winner: Mace 2

Forklift's Revenge vs Suicidal Tendencies

Suicidal Tendencies pushes Forklift's Revenge, who is clinging to the floor tape

Killalot skewers Forklift's Revenge

The two robots collided and both tried to push the other, to no avail. Forklift's Revenge's belts started spinning, but the flat, tracked Suicidal Tendencies was resistant to being caught by those weapons. Both robots turned away, but Suicidal Tendencies had a small turning circle, and launched an attack on the still spinning Forklift's Revenge, driving up the wedge and down again. Both robots spun away, but again the faster Suicidal Tendencies was able to position itself easier, running into the rear of Forklift's Revenge and jamming the chain belt.

"Suicidal Tendencies, makes one attack and then thinks twice about committing suicide, and turning away."

— Jonathan Pearce

The robots pulled away, ramming together, and the wedges of Forklift's Revenge scraped one of the pieces of tape that marked the floor flipper away. Suicidal Tendencies attacked Forklift's Revenge's exposed side, pushing it up against a nearby flame pit. Forklift's Revenge escaped and moved back into the centre of the arena, but Suicidal Tendencies attacked again and pushed it into Sir Killalot. Sir Killalot dug his lance into the right chain of Forklift's Revenge, lifting it above his head. Spinning his lance, Forklift's Revenge flailed in mid-air and came to rest against Killalot's shoulder.

Killalot pits Forklift's Revenge

"Oh, look at that! This is a mere bauble, a toy, for Killalot, that's rather gruesome."

— Jonathan Pearce

Killalot then moved into the centre of the arena and spun around with Forklift's Revenge, before moving to the pit. Placing Forklift's Revenge in, Killalot lowered his lance and pried his lance out from the chain, leaving Forklift's Revenge to fall into the pit.

"Well, phenomenal driving skills from Suicidal Tendencies - suddenly, he seems to want to live, and he's through to the next round."

— Craig Charles

Winner: Suicidal Tendencies

Brimhur vs Weeliwako

"And a slow, sluggish start."

— Jonathan Pearce

Brimhur pushes Weeliwako into the wall

Brimhur's spear misses Weeliwako's tire

The battle began very slowly, with Brimhur edging forward and Weeliwako swaying its weapon forward and back. Brimhur bumped Weeliwako, easily getting beneath the ground clearance, whilst Weeliwako thudded its weapon on either side to no effect. Brimhur pushed into Weeliwako's wheel, but the axlebot design simply meant that Brimhur was pushing Weeliwako in a circle. Weeliwako drove around behind Brimhur, who reversed into it and began pushing it towards the side wall. Weeliwako managed to drive free and finally brought its weapon down on Brimhur, but caused very little damage, and whilst it moved back for another swing, Brimhur moved out of reach. Weeliwako swung again and clipped the passing Brimhur, again to no visible effect.

"What a strange looking beast Weeliwako is... The sort of the wheels you see coming off the back of a lorry on the side of a motorway."

— Jonathan Pearce

Brimhur drove into Weeliwako, knocking it aside, and stabbing its spike in an attempt to hit Weeliwako's large wheel. Weeliwako swung its weapon over, but neither robot could hit the other. Brimhur pushed Weeliwako into the side wall, where it retaliated by striking twice more with its weapon.

Weeliwako heaves Brimhur backwards

"Eight miles an hour, [Weeliwako is] not the quickest in the field. Brimhur can only touch 9 MPH, so this is hardly a Grand Prix of Robot Wars..."

— Jonathan Pearce

Brimhur managed to make contact with Weeliwako's wheels, but with no real damage. Brimhur pushed Weeliwako into Sir Killalot's CPZ, but before the House Robot could attack, Weeliwako overpowered Brimhur and pushed it across the arena floor.

Shunt shows off its new axe

"Oh, look at this great strength here!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Killalot pursued the pair towards the flame pit and harassed Weeliwako, but Brimhur had broken down. Weeliwako flailed, hitting Killalot with its weapon and trying to manoeuvre away. Meanwhile, Shunt drove out of the CPZ and began to put big dents in Brimhur's top armour. Sergeant Bash, Matilda and Sir Killalot joined the attack on Brimhur, and cease was called.

"Well, Brimhur was immobilised. Towards the end it was like vultures feeding on a carcass."

— Craig Charles

Winner: Weeliwako

Raizer Blade vs Red Dragon

Killalot pits Red Dragon

Raizer Blade had the faster start and pushed Red Dragon into Sergeant Bash. Red Dragon got caught on the spikes but got away. Raizer Blade then got caught on the spikes itself. It escaped, but got pursued by Sergeant Bash & Sir Killalot. Then, Red Dragon just stopped dead in its tracks.

"There's a problem here with Red Dragon; it's not moving!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Bash came back in and clawed it, before Killalot lifted it into the air and dropped it in the pit.

Winner: Raizer Blade

Round 2

Weeliwako in the pit

Mace 2 vs Weeliwako

The two robots danced around Shunt's CPZ and Weeliwako began swinging its spikes, trying to hit Mace 2. Mace 2 pushed Weeliwako around a bit and then into Sergeant Bash and the flames.

"Feel that rubber burn there!"

— Jonathan Pearce as Weeliwako gets a torching from Sergeant Bash

Mace 2 got stuck near the flame pit and Weeliwako began attacking it with its spikes. Mace 2 backed up and slammed into Weeliwako again before slowly pushing Weeliwako into the Pit.

"The great power! Dismisses Weeliwako!"

— Jonathan Pearce

The house robots then came in and Killalot pulled Weeliwako out of the Pit and over the flame pit as Dead Metal celebrated.

Winner: Mace 2

Raizer Blade vs Suicidal Tendencies

Suicidal Tendencies pushes Raizer Blade

Raizer Blade had a quick start and pushed Suicidal Tendencies around. Suicidal Tendencies drove up on Raizer Blade's side, then slammed into it and shoved it a few centimetres, before, suddenly, one of Suicidal Tendencies' tracks locked up.

"One of the tracks has gone!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Raizer Blade pushed them towards the pit and tried to push it in, but accidentally drove itself onto the edge.

"Oh my goodness me! Raizer Blade has driven itself onto the verge of the pit! What a turn-up this is!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Suicidal Tendencies managed to escape, before Sir Killalot, trying to nudge Raizer Blade in, bought it back to life. It went to the judges, who gave it to Suicidal Tendencies.

Winner: Suicidal Tendencies

Heat Final

Mace 2 vs Suicidal Tendencies

Mace 2 vs Suicidal Tendencies

Suicidal Tendencies drove around Mace 2 and then Mace 2 flipped it over. Suicidal Tendencies tried to use its milling cutters, but they had no effect whatsoever and could only piggy back up on Mace 2.

"For me, Mace 2 looks very formidable."

— Jonathan Pearce

Mace 2 pushed Suicidal Tendencies into Sergeant Bash, Shunt, Matilda and Sir Killalot, but escaped every time. It then piggy-backed up on Mace 2 again and were pushed into the CPZ where Shunt buried its axe into Suicidal Tendencies. Eventually, the fight went to the judges.

Heat Winner: Mace 2

"The winners draw lots, the softies draw straws, but the tough draw a line, on Robot Wars!"

— Craig Charles signs off

Special Event

Dominator is attacked

Between Round 1 and Round 2 of each heat, a Special Event or Trial took place. For Heat A, it was the first Pinball Warrior run, featuring Dominator.

Score: 160 points