- "After a long hiatus, DL emerges to create the machine that will dominate the 1997 Robot Wars competition. Ok, maybe just win most of the matches. Um, run once. Ok, honestly? We'll all find out August 15th 1997."
- — Distraction Laboratories website[2]
TallyWhacker (also formatted as Tallywhacker[1]) was a heavyweight robot which competed in the 1997 US Robot Wars competition. Built by Distraction Laboratories as a successor to their 1996 heavyweight Munch, it lost its first Heavyweight Face-Off battle to Tazbot,[3][4] but won it second against Gut Rip in the Loser's Bracket.[5][6] Due to technical issues with its internal combustion engine, TallyWhacker pulled out of the Face-Off before its next battle against Prometheus II.[7] It would also be defeated early into the Heavyweight Melee competition, after becoming immobilized by The Mauler's flails.[8][9]
Design[]
TallyWhacker was a two-wheeled robot inheriting much of its internal components from Munch. Both its drive and weaponry were powered by hydraulics, in tandem with a 4.5hp Tecumseh snowblower engine and a homemade controller board. To address issues with Munch being short on torque, larger motors were sourced, providing four times as much drive power and resulting in a considerably higher top speed. TallyWhacker's main weapon was a flail mounted on the end of a front-hinged swinging arm, operated in a similar manner to a conventional axe or hammer.[7][10]
Structurally, the robot utilized a welded square steel tube chassis, covered by a shell made from a pair of rubber garbage cans salvaged by the team. The cans provided the robot with its dark green exterior. A 'plastic box' encased the 8051-based controller board, which controlled the valve assembly for TallyWhacker's hydraulics. However, the board itself proved unreliable, and the Rubbermaid-branded material made the shell especially susceptible to damage from opponents.[7]
Robot History[]
1997 US Championship[]
TallyWhacker began its 1997 run in the Heavyweight Face-Off championship, where it was drawn against Tazbot.

TallyWhacker is speared by Tazbot's thwacking arm
Having started moving before the end of the opening countdown, it parked in the center of the arena to lower and spin its mace arm around. In doing so, TallyWhacker accidentally swiped and got the mace caught around the upper spike trap, allowing Tazbot to start hitting it with its own arm. One attack resulted in TallyWhacker's shell being pierced by Tazbot, briefly locking both robots together. TallyWhacker flailed around as Tazbot tried to lift it, but without success.[3][4]
Once Tazbot broke free, TallyWhacker was hit a few more times. The impacts were sufficient to damage a connector inside the control box, immobilizing it at once. TallyWhacker was pushed into the wall and continuously whacked by Tazbot until the latter was declared the winner.[3][4]
Consigned to the Loser's Bracket, TallyWhacker faced another returning machine in the form of Bob Schneeveis' Gut Rip.

TallyWhacker (off-camera) knocks Gut Rip out
TallyWhacker drove into the center of the arena, lowering its arm and spinning around as Gut Rip noisily brushed past it. This exchange gave TallyWhacker the opportunity to strike Gut Rip with its flails. One of these attacks allowed it to reach a gap within Gut Rip's Lexan shell, where it proceeded to hook and destroy the wires connected to its opponent's batteries. Gut Rip was immobilized on the spot; TallyWhacker whacked it a few more times before it was confirmed to have won by knockout.[5][6]
TallyWhacker was next due to fight Prometheus II. While being prepared for the match, however, its snowblower engine could not be started, forcing Distraction Laboratories to forfeit. Prometheus II automatically progressed to the next stage of the Loser's Bracket, while TallyWhacker was eliminated from the Heavyweight Face-Off.[7][6]
Later on, TallyWhacker returned for the Heavyweight Melee tournament. In its preliminary round, it faced Gut Rip once again, alongside Badger, La Machine and The Mauler.

TallyWhacker is pushed by La Machine
Immediately, it was scooped up by the defending Melee champion, before lowering its flail arm in an effort to attack Badger and Gut Rip nearby. TallyWhacker was soon attacked by an otherwise tentative Mauler, which began whacking it with its own spinning flails. This series of attacks tore out the battery pack for TallyWhacker's receiver,[11] leaving it immobilized as Badger pushed Gut Rip into it blade-first. TallyWhacker was pushed across the center of the arena by eventual match winner La Machine, and ultimately eliminated from the Heavyweight Melee.[8][9]
Results[]
TALLYWHACKER - RESULTS | ||
1997 US Championship | ||
Heavyweight Face-Off Withdrew from Loser's Bracket, Round 2 | ||
Round 1 | vs. Tazbot | Lost |
Loser's Bracket Round 1 | vs. Gut Rip | Won |
Loser's Bracket, Round 2 | vs. Prometheus II | Forfeited |
NOTE: TallyWhacker withdrew from this battle after its engine could not be started. | ||
Heavyweight Melee Round 1 | ||
Melee | vs. Badger, Gut Rip, La Machine, The Mauler | Lost |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 1
- Losses: 3
Series Record[]
NOTE: This record reflects that of Distraction Laboratories. Klaas Langhout also competed with the Slomo series.
Events | TallyWhacker Event Record |
---|---|
1994 | Did not enter |
1995 | Did not enter |
1996 | Entered with Munch |
1997 | Heavyweight Face-Off, Loser's Bracket, Round 2 Heavyweight Melee, Round 1 |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 'Contestants: Heavyweight Class', 4th Annual Robot Wars (1997) souvenir programme, p.4
- ↑ 'Second time is a charm: TallyWhacker Diary.', Distraction Laboratories website (archived)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 'Robot Wars 1997 Heavyweight match: Tallywhacker versus Tazbot', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded April 18 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 'MATCH: TAZBOT VS TALLYWHACKER', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 'Robot Wars 1997 Heavyweight match: Tallywhacker versus Gut Rip', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 4 2021
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 'MATCH: TALLYWHACKER VS GUT RIP', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 'TALLYWHACKER', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 'Robot Wars 1997 Heavyweight Melee 4', Andrew Lindsey (YouTube), uploaded May 11 2021
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 'HEAVYWEIGHT MELEE ROUND 4', Team Spike website (archived)
- ↑ '070197', Distraction Laboratories website (archived)
- ↑ 'aug97', Distraction Laboratories website (archived)
External Links[]
- TallyWhacker Diary, Distraction Laboratories website (archived)
- Distraction Laboratories website (archived)
[]
|