Spam

Spam
Spam
Participation Information
UK Series	6
Team Information
Team Members	Jon Witte Pete Birch Edward Birch
Other Entries	Pain (Series 2)
Robot Statistics
Weight	97kg
Dimensions	0.35m x 1.25m x 1.00m
Top Speed	15mph
Power	2 x 750W motors
Weapons	Spinning discs & prong
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Spam was a low cylinder shaped invertible robot that competed in Series 6 of Robot Wars. Described by Jonathan Pearce as "a weapon with some wheels bolted on", it had a high speed spinning disc on its top and underside. Instead of causing damage, however, the flywheels transferred kinetic energy into the robot's real weapon: a rotating tin-opener shaped prong. Although the weapon itself was ineffective and was only armoured in plastic, Spam showed a high level of aggression. Unfortunately, this proved to be its undoing after it drove straight into the pit in its second round fight against a malfunctioning Spawn Again.

The team entered Series 2 with Pain, but never actually got to compete due to various technical problems. They also failed to qualify in Series 3 with their second robot Judge Mech. This means that Spam was the only robot from this team that was actually seen fighting/participating in the main competition.

According to team captain Jon Witte, Spam was originally going to have a name based upon its weapon, but decided against it when it was discovered that "Can Opener" had been more-or-less taken.

Robot History

Series 6

Spam was drawn up against Ming 3, The Hassocks Hog and Hot Pants in the heat eliminator for the Sixth Wars. Ming 3 largely dominated this fight, immobilising Hot Pants after using its crusher then pushing it into the arena side wall beside the flame pit, where its decorative glitterball fell off. Hot Pants was then counted out by the Refbot. Spam then came under attack from Ming 3 who tried to crush its spinning disc. Sergeant Bash then pushed Hot Pants into the pit of oblivion sideways immediately before Spam was also pushed down by Ming 3. The Hassocks Hog was set to qualify with Ming 3, however the former was judged to have been immobilised since it had lost drive on one side and was spinning around in circles. Spam therefore went through to the next round along with Ming 3 instead, eliminating The Hassocks Hog. In the second round, Spam was drawn up against a Spawn Again machine that was seeded number 11 but was also beset by mechanical problems. Spam was the much more aggressive competitor in this battle, with Spawn Again seemingly without full mobility. Spam constantly tried to push Spawn Again around the arena, but due to its high ground clearance, Spam could only drive up the side or up the flipper of Spawn Again, however each time it could get away unaffected as Spawn Again's flipper wasn't firing. Spam activated the pit release button, just as Spawn Again's flipper suddenly started working. However, luckily for the seeded machine, Spam suddenly recklessly drove straight into the pit of oblivion, eliminating itself from the competition.

"Why are you laughing?! You nutter! You're a nutter! You drove straight into the pit!"

— Jonathan Pearce on Spam's driving

"Did you see that? Spam fritters away! At a good oppurtunity..."

— Craig Charles

"I have absolutely no idea, I'm going to be asking myself that a LOT for the next couple of weeks"

— Jon Witte upon being asked why he drove Spam into the pit

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 1
• Losses: 1

Series Record

• Series 1: Did not enter
• Series 2: Entered with Pain
• Series 3-4: Failed to qualify with Judge Mech
• Series 5: Did not enter
• Series 6: Heat, Round 2
• Series 7: Did not enter