- "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
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|---|---|---|
| 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[1]
References
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