SPS (Lightweight)

SPS
Participation Information
US 1994-1997 Events	1995-1996
Other Names	S.P.S. #1 (1995) SPS3 (1996)
Team Information
Team Members	J.D. Streett
Sponsors	Streett Production Services
From	California
Other Entries	S.P.S. #2 (1995)
Robot Statistics
Weapons	Ramming fork (S.P.S. #1) Entanglement devices (SPS3)
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

SPS (often formatted as S.P.S.) refers to a series of robots entered by J.D. Streett into the 1995 and 1996 US Robot Wars competitions. In addition to the flying super lightweight entry S.P.S. #2, the name was applied to two separate lightweights which competed in each year.

The first - S.P.S. #1 - took part in the 1995 Lightweight Face-Off championship, but lost in the opening round to eventual champion Test Toaster One. Later in the same event, it met the latter a second time in the Lightweight Melee Final, ultimately resulting in both robots becoming immobilized and trapped by one of the flipper hazards.

S.P.S. #1 was directly succeeded by SPS3, which utilized a four-wheel drive design and a variety of entanglement devices to reach the final of the 1996 Lightweight Face-Off. SPS3 finished as runner-up to Attiller (the Hun), upon immobilizing itself in the title clash. A further appearance in the Lightweight Melee event saw SPS3 outlast Attiller (the Hun) in their first-round battle, only for it to become immobilized by an arena flipper later on in the same fight. Selected highlights from both SPS3's Face-Off and Melee runs would be featured in the official American Robot Wars 1996 and American Robot Wars Final 1996 VHS releases.

In addition to SPS3, J.D. Streett planned to enter the 1996 heavyweight class with SPS4, which ultimately did not compete. No information is available concerning the design of SPS4, as its possible existence was only mentioned in an entry list for the event.

Versions of SPS (Lightweight)

S.P.S. #1

S.P.S. #1 in the arena; note the red and gray color scheme

Not much is known about the design of S.P.S. #1 (often pronounced "S.P.S. Number One" in arena announcements), which was a dome-shaped robot equipped with a serrated ramming fork at the front. Large cut-outs on either side of the shell were partially covered by raised armor sections, presumably to act as wheelguards or provide cooling to the robot's internals. S.P.S. #1 was initially unpainted by the time of its arrival at the 1995 event. As such, the robot's official 1995 photo presented its shell with a matt black finish. A striped red and gray scheme was applied just before S.P.S. #1's first Face-Off battle; audience footage of S.P.S. #1 in combat showcases the robot in this state.

SPS3

SPS3 in the arena

SPS3 was a compact robot with four externally-mounted wheels and a curved upper wedge panel made out of plastic. The panel itself featured an SPS logo in pink, yellow and blue, set lengthways against a yellow background. For its main defenses, SPS3 had two small nets usually attached to the back, each with sets of blue or orange foam balls. All were to function as entanglement devices. The front of SPS3 could be modified to take on extra attachments, including a rod with two fishing nets, along with a novelty carrot serving as 'bait'.

While SPS3 was fast and agile across the arena, it would encounter frequent reliability and control issues throughout its 1996 campaign. Additionally, the top panel, outer wheels and tires could easily be damaged by spinning weapons, such as the chainsaw of Happy Fun Bot.

The Team

“SPS” was an initialism for Streett Production Services, J.D. Streett’s self-run and self-owned special effects company. Streett's resume up to the final US Robot Wars events included effects work on several film and television productions, such as The Mask, plus the original instalments of the Mission: Impossible and Men in Black series.

Robot History

1995 US Championship

After receiving its paint scheme, S.P.S. #1 debuted in the 1995 Lightweight Face-Off championship. In the first round, it challenged fellow newcomer Test Toaster One, entered by Jeff Bowden.

Very quickly, both robots approached and passed each other near one of the descending mousetraps. S.P.S. #1, the faster of the two, turned around and drove under Test Toaster One once it encountered the mousetrap on the other side. It proceeded to buffet and ram Test Toaster One a few more times, only to drive into the lower mousetrap and flippers. S.P.S. #1 was soon pushed further into the nearest flipper by Test Toaster One, and was unable to escape. A full twenty seconds passed before its immobility was recognized. S.P.S. #1 was counted out soon after, and eliminated from the Lightweight Face-Off.

S.P.S #1 also competed in that year's Lightweight Melee tournament, appearing in the second and final match. Alongside Test Toaster One, it fought Kitty Puff Puff, Black Sheep and Sonic.

At the start, S.P.S. #1 was approached by Sonic, giving it a chance to scoop up and push Brian Foote's machine into a charging Black Sheep. It proceeded to ram Black Sheep itself as it was being dragged and pushed by Test Toaster One. S.P.S. #1 again drove behind Test Toaster One at the end of this charge, pushing the recently-crowned Face-Off champion around in circles. All three competitors separated; S.P.S. #1 next duelled with Kitty Puff Puff, ramming and breaching the ground clearance of Will Wright's machine. This resulted in it lifting Kitty Puff Puff against Black Sheep, while the latter crossed paths with Sonic. A separation occurred, while S.P.S. #1 pushed Black Sheep and Sonic towards the right wall and into Test Toaster One respectively; all four robots briefly met in the lower-right corner.

S.P.S. #1 proceeded to get underneath Sonic once more, pushing it against the wall and behind the upper-right arena flippers. It next pinned Fuzzy Yum Yum in a similar manner once the latter joined in the skirmish. The pin could not be sustained, however, and S.P.S. #1 remained in the corner for some time. Eventually, it shot towards and under Test Toaster One yet again, holding Jeff Bowden's machine in place as it was then rammed from the side by Kitty Puff Puff. Following further brushes with Sonic, Black Sheep and Kitty Puff Puff, S.P.S. #1 rammed Test Toaster One again, while weathering swipes from the latter's swinging nail. With Kitty Puff Puff also getting involved, the two machines briefly continued to spar as the match approached the three-minute mark.

In attempting to line up its next attack, S.P.S. #1 careered into the wall between the upper mousetrap and upper-left flippers. Surviving a whack from the flipper paddle, it began ramming and pushing Test Toaster One yet again as the latter attacked Black Sheep. S.P.S. #1 proceeded to push Test Toaster One at high speed into the side of the lower mousetrap. However, both robots were unable to escape as they were swatted, immobilized and pinned behind the flipper nearby. Alongside Test Toaster One, S.P.S. #1 was eliminated as a result; the 1995 Lightweight Melee championship was ultimately won by Kitty Puff Puff.

1996 US Championship

SPS3 began its 1996 campaign in the Lightweight Face-Off, where it was drawn to battle Happy Fun Bot in the first round.

"SPS3 was just the robot from hell as far as Happy Fun Bot was concerned. Not only was he fast and low-built... he had a net."

— Paul Vallis

SPS3 takes a chainsaw attack from Happy Fun Bot

SPS3 pins Happy Fun Bot in place

Darting from its starting position, it quickly took advantage of its opponent's control issues, deploying a net across the arena floor to snare its sawblade wheels. SPS3 tried to nudge the smoking Happy Fun Bot opposite one of the arena flippers, but in return, took damage from its chainsaw. The two competitors kept gingerly shoving each other back and forth, while Happy Fun Bot drove over SPS3's net and got stranded. SPS3 proceeded to drive underneath and hold Happy Fun Bot in place opposite a mousetrap. The move was sustained long enough to be counted as a full pin.

SPS3 advanced to the second round, where it would face Speed Bump. For this battle, the novelty carrot was attached to a the front end via a long, narrow arm.

A tentative start was followed by both robots attempting to ram each other. SPS3 drove into Speed Bump's side, using this chance to snare it in its nets. Speed Bump escaped, responding by pinning SPS3 against one of the arena flippers. Both robots remained in the corner for some time, with Speed Bump attempting to trap SPS3 with the nets themselves. SPS3 retreated to the other side of the arena, and would ram Speed Bump again while avoiding a swipe from a nearby mousetrap.

Later on, SPS3 was again pushed and dragged by Speed Bump. The two competitors took whacks from a nearby arena flipper, though a brief escape by SPS3 did not stop Paul Bell's machine from pushing it into the right-most wall. SPS3, while temporarily pinned on top of Speed Bump, escaped again, while bumping into the wall and flipper. It would be spared another ramming attack when Speed Bump suddenly stopped moving, upon driving over debris left behind by SPS3. SPS3 pushed Speed Bump a few times to free it, allowing the fight to resume.

A chase between both robots ensued, with SPS3 being pursued by Speed Bump. Though SPS3 would again benefit from Speed Bump's clearance issues, it would end up getting swatted by the upper-right flipper. SPS3 would finally be scooped up and pinned in the lower-right corner by Speed Bump, which appeared to be enough to eliminate it by knockout. However, the match instead went to an audience vote, which gave SPS3 the more resounding cheers. On this basis, SPS3 was deemed the winner.

Upon receiving an automatic bye through the Semi-Final stages, SPS3 secured a place in the overall Lightweight Face-Off Final. There, it would fight newcomer Attiller (the Hun) for the overall title. SPS3 exchanged its arm attachment for a larger rod, fitted with both a set of fishing nets and a decorative carrot as 'bait'.

"Yes, that was a carrot to tempt Attiller into the net... but it didn't work."

— Paul Vallis

Attiller the Hun rams the immobile SPS3

Both competitors met in the center. SPS3 immediately tried to attack Attiller (the Hun) from the side, but could not snare it with its nets. A further ram to the left-hand side of Attiller (the Hun) proved disastrous, with SPS3 immobilizing itself as a result. SPS3 was rammed and eventually backed into the corner by Jim Sellers' machine, after which its immobility was officially recognized. Attiller (the Hun) thus emerged as the 1996 Lightweight Face-Off champion 'by default'; SPS3 would settle for the runner-up finish.

Returning for the Lightweight Melee tournament, SPS3 faced Attiller (the Hun), Speed Bump (now fitted with the doll previously used by Lorena) and Happy Fun Bot once more in the first round. Together, they would fight Cyclo-Kluge and Flipper for a chance to survive and qualify for the overall final.

"Happy Fun Bot again came to grief in the nets of SPS3."

— Paul Vallis as SPS3 again entangles Happy Fun Bot in their Lightweight Melee clash

SPS3 snares Happy Fun Bot again

The start of the Melee was ponderous for most of the machines. In a repeat of their Face-Off duel, SPS3 deployed its nets to snare Happy Fun Bot. The nets succeeded in jamming up Happy Fun Bot's chainsaw, as it tried to slice through SPS3's right-rear tire, but caused both robots to become stuck together. SPS3 was in turn ganged up on by Flipper and Speed Bump, which caught and would take one of the nets with it. SPS3 backed into the side of Flipper, while Happy Fun Bot eventually became trapped on its remaining nets in the lower-left corner. However, while backing into and taking back its net from Speed Bump, it would dart into and get swatted by a nearby arena flipper. SPS3 was eventually immobilized by the hazard itself, and would be eliminated from the Lightweight Melee tournament at that stage.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 2
• Losses: 4

Series Record

Events	SPS (Lightweight) Event Record
1994	Did not enter
1995	Lightweight Face-Off, Round 1 as S.P.S. #1 Lightweight Melee Final as S.P.S. #1 Entered with S.P.S. #2
1996	Lightweight Runner-up (Face-Off) as SPS3 Lightweight Melee, Round 1 as SPS3
1997	Did not enter

External Links

• S.P.S. #1 on the official US Robot Wars website (archived May 2 1997)
• SPS3 on the official US Robot Wars website (archived May 2 1997)