Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2/Minor Meltdown

Minor Meltdown
The Minor Meltdown logo from the introduction titles
Series	Extreme 2
Winner(s)	Bigger Brother
First Broadcast	January 16th 2003 (BBC Choice) June 13th 2003 (BBC Two)
Original channel	BBC Choice BBC Two
Preceded by	Annihilator
Succeeded by	Tag Team Terror

"The adults have been hogging the controls for far too long! It's time for the kids to show Daddy how it's really done! We're talking an infant inferno, nippers with flippers! So prepare for a Minor Meltdown!"

— Craig Charles opens the Minor Meltdown

The Minor Meltdown was a side competition created during Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2. It featured six UK series competitors that were driven by children. The layout was two eliminators, two semi-finals and a final. The episode was originally broadcast on BBC Choice on January 16, 2003 and repeated on BBC Two on June 13, 2003.

Competing Robots

	Bigger Brother
	Weight	96kg
	Dimensions	0.50 x 0.73 x 0.93m
	Power	2 x 750W electric motors
	Weapons	Spiked CO2 gas ram flipper
	Strengths	Indestructable
	Weaknesses	None!
From: Brighton in East Sussex
Team Members: Joe Watts, Ian Watts & Ellie Watts

	Killer Carrot 2
	Weight	100kg
	Dimensions	0.55 x 1.53 x 1.05m
	Power	2 x 800W electric motors
	Weapons	Flipper/lifter
	Strengths	Invertible
	Weaknesses	Poor armour
From: Turners Hill in West Sussex
Team Members: Rob Englebright, Adam Englebright & Mark Hale

	Lambsy
	Weight	94kg
	Dimensions	0.34 x 1.20 x 0.53m
	Power	2x 750w electric motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic flipper & spike
	Strengths	Invertible
	Weaknesses	High ground clearance
From: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Team Members: Scott Lockhart, Daniel Lockhart, Tony Tobbell

	Rick
	Weight	98kg
	Dimensions	0.32 x 0.84 x 0.83m
	Power	420w electric motor
	Weapons	Flipper & spinning blade
	Strengths	Powerful flipper
	Weaknesses	Exposed rear wheels
From: Southampton, Hampshire
Team Members: Francis Gallagher, Ian Aldridge & Kevin Gallagher

	Saw Point
	Weight	100kg
	Dimensions	0.55 x 1.30 x 0.94m
	Power	350w Electric Motor
	Weapons	Lifter, Thumper & Spinner
	Strengths	Tough as old boots
	Weaknesses	No Side Weapons
From: Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Team Members: Ryan Delph, Chris Delph, Gordon Johncock

	Tetanus 2
	Weight	99kg
	Dimensions	0.76 x 1.60 x 1.20m
	Power	2 x Wheelchair motors
	Weapons	Spike, ram and fork lifter
	Strengths	Big & strong
	Weaknesses	Slow self-righting
From: Ludlow in Shropshire
Team Members: Paul Snook, Conrad Snook & Luke Angell

Eliminators

Bigger Brother vs Lambsy vs Saw Point

Bigger Brother pushes Lambsy into the pit

Sir Killalot extracts Saw Point from the wreckage

The initial clash caused the sheep to become dislodged from the top of Lambsy. Lambsy attempted to clamp onto the wheels of Saw Point, but they were too big to reach. Bigger Brother drove into Saw Point and attempted to flip it, before pushing it the length of the arena and tossing it onto its back. Bigger Brother pushed both robots across the arena, before putting Saw Point into Growler's CPZ. Growler seized the immobile Saw Point. As Lambsy and Bigger Brother continued their battle, Growler slammed Saw Point into the side wall, dislodging one of its wheels. Bigger Brother pushed Lambsy into the pit release, flipping it over as Saw Point was counted out.

Saw Point sits outside the arena

Killalot threw Saw Point around the arena, and Bigger Brother pitted Lambsy, but Saw Point was already out, and it was crushed underneath an array of car parts. Killalot then dropped Saw Point out of the arena while Growler pushed a refrigerator, also from the drop zone into the pit on top of Lambsy.

Qualified: Bigger Brother & Lambsy

Rick vs Killer Carrot 2 vs Tetanus 2

Tetanus 2 pushes Killer Carrot 2 onto the flame pit

Rick flips Tetanus onto its back

Rick and Killer Carrot collided, but neither flipper got beneath the other. Meanwhile Tetanus 2 moved ponderously towards both robots, and pushed Killer Carrot 2 into the CPZ. However, Rick caught Tetanus 2 and pushed it back, flipping it onto its back. Tetanus 2 used its bizarre design to self-right, and pushed Killer Carrot 2 onto Rick's wedge, which flipped it up but not over.

Killer Carrot 2 pits Tetanus 2

Tetanus 2 and Killer Carrot 2 then fought as Rick activated the pit release. Flipping Tetanus 2 over, Rick pushed it into Killer Carrot, who reversed it into the pit.

Qualified: Rick & Killer Carrot 2

Semi-Finals

Lambsy vs Killer Carrot 2

Lambsy balances on Killer Carrot 2

Lambsy pushes Killer Carrot 2 into the CPZ

Killer Carrot 2 flipped over Lambsy, dislodging the sheep again. Lambsy avoided Killer Carrot 2's flipper, and clamped on to Killer Carrot 2, pushing it into the CPZ, where Mr. Psycho smashed it with its hammer. Both fled the CPZ, and clashed by the flame pit, where Killer Carrot 2's wheel became dislodged. Killer Carrot 2 then attacked Mr Psycho, who had picked up its wheel, but to no avail; its flipper was nowhere near strong enough.

"Lambsys graze on grass, surely, not root vegetables!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Killer Carrot 2 tries in vain to flip Mr. Psycho

With only one wheel mobile, Killer Carrot was counted out by Refbot who Killer Carrot also tried to flip over. Dead Metal sliced into the rear of Killer Carrot and put it on the floor flipper, but it drove off at the last minute. It was finally pitted by Dead Metal.

Winner: Lambsy

Bigger Brother vs Rick

Bigger Brother flips Rick, while Dead Metal's saw (left) rolls across the arena

The beginning of the battle was filled with excitement, but neither robot could land a blow on the other. Rick partially flipped Bigger Brother, but it landed on its wheels. Bigger Brother flipped Rick over, when suddenly Dead Metal's blade came rolling across the arena floor, disappearing in the crack between the arena wall and floor. The pit descended, and Rick fled, with Bigger Brother in pursuit.

Rick on the brink of oblivion

Rick attempted to right itself, despite being invertible, it could not use its flipper while upside down, thus it failed. Rick broke down in the CPZ, and placed on the Disc of Doom. It flew off quickly, but Bigger Brother could not push it because of the spin. Dead Metal pushed Bigger Brother away, but was also spun to one side. It caught Rick and pitted it.

Winner: Bigger Brother

Final

Bigger Brother vs Lambsy

The winning flip

Bigger Brother knocks Lambsy down the pit

Bigger Brother charged down Lambsy, flipping it onto its side. After activating the pit, Bigger Brother reversed into Lambsy, knocking it down the pit.

Minor Meltdown Champion: Bigger Brother

"They're all off to wash their grubby little paws, 'cause it's all dirty business, it's Robot Wars!"

— Craig Charles' sign-off

Trivia

• The Minor Meltdown final between Bigger Brother and Lambsy is ranked equal nineteenth in the Shortest Battles in UK Robot Wars.
• When originally announced, the rules stated were that the team members had to be 12 or younger, and that adults, whilst able to help, could not appear with the teams. Neither of these rules were in place in the episode as filmed.

"Six teams of tiny roboteers, all under the age of 12, take to the controls to show their Dad's how to do it and become the Junior Champion of Robot Wars. If you've got a son or daughter who deserves to win let us know - or a godchild, friend of the family, neighbours kids, whatever. Open to anyone under the age of 12 years old. Naturally, for health and safety reasons adults will be involved in the team - but behind the scenes and not in vision. "

— Official announcement for the Annihilator from the Robot Wars Forum