Robot Wars Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Robot Wars Wiki

"It's a robot made of rusty old scrap. I wouldn't touch it too much, you might catch something."
— A warning from captain Paul Snook in Series 5

Tetanus was a series of three robots from Shropshire that competed from Series 5 through 7 of Robot Wars. Although they shared the same name, the three robots were very different from one another. The team also entered Series 3 with the axlebot Flip Flop Fly.

Tetanus reached the second round of Series 5, where it maintained an early lead on the seeded 3 Stegs 2 Heaven, but bent its own frame out of alignment and was counted out Tetanus 2 made a commanding debut in Series 6 by pitting Weld-Dor 3, and was again maintaining a lead against Raging Reality before a lapse in mobility caused it to be flipped out of the arena. Tetanus Booster entered the Seventh Wars, and reached the team's first Heat Final before falling to the reigning champion Tornado.

Versions of Tetanus[]

Tetanus[]

"Combines a crusher, a lifter and spikes, and looks like an exit ramp, a desk lamp, and an insect. The "scissor-action" weapon is meant to lift other bots in the air, therefore immobilising them. Presumably, it then gives them a tetanus jab!"
— Robot Wars Magazine [1]
Tetanus

Tetanus in Series 5

The original Tetanus competed in Series 5 and was built from scrap metal. It was a reverse wedge-shape with a unique clamping weapon on the front. This clamping weapon consisted of a series of fixed claws, two on top and two underneath acting as wedges, and an additional lifting spike, powered by a 1 ton ram and capable of hoisting a camper-van, which operated to lift and crush its opponents at once, as well as self-righting the machine.

"It's a very, very simple machine, it's tractor technology!"
— Paul Snook

This version had previously failed to qualify for Series 4, though the weapon was slightly different.

Tetanus II[]

"Strong, big, steel armour, multi-functional weapons with the forklift and spike crusher, two wheel driven, but it's slow, too slow."
— Jonathan Pearce describes Tetanus 2
Tetanus II

Tetanus 2 in Series 6

The second incarnation, Tetanus 2 (styled as Tetanus II), was a completely different body-shape, whilst still being two-wheel driven. The second version considerably larger than the original and was upgraded with steel armour. Tetanus 2 now featured only a single top-mounted claw and unlike the original, the top claw was powered as opposed to the bottom clamp, which was switched from claws to forklift-style wedges. The claw came down with over a tonne of pressure. Tetanus 2's wheels were now fully protected, powered by 2 wheelchair motors.

Tetanus II Extreme

Tetanus 2 with the mesh attached in Extreme 2

Tetanus 2 competed in Series 6 and Extreme 2. In the latter, the weaponry was changed to three lifting forks, forfeiting the crusher for a large mesh rollcage on top of the lifter to help the robot self-right, albeit only from directly on the robot's back end. However, the weapon operated very slowly and proved far less effective than the crusher, leading to Tetanus 2's defeat in its only battle with the lifter equipped.

Tetanus 2 was one of the few machines to use saw blade wheels, doing so at a much smaller scale than the other examples of Saw Point and Demolition Man. These provided Tetanus 2 with strong grip on the arena floor to help with its pushes, but the blades would gradually cut into the arena floor which led to Tetanus 2 becoming stranded in its loss to Raging Reality after digging into the floor.

Tetanus Booster[]

Tetanuspits

Tetanus Booster in the pits

The final robot in the series was Tetanus Booster, a completely new design which competed in Series 7. It was an invertible four-wheel driven, box-shaped robot with a small spinning drum (incorrectly referred to by the statistics board as a spinning disc) on the front. This version was the strongest, simplest, least expensive and most successful of the Tetanus robots, reaching the Heat Final, whereas the other versions lost in Round 2. Whilst appearing unreliable because of large outbursts of smoke, in reality, Tetanus Booster had small rubber wheels to power the larger rubber wheels. As a result, every time it changed direction, or started to move, the friction between both rubber 'rollers' caused the smoke, which had nothing to do with engines burning out.

Tetanus Booster

Tetanus Booster in the arena for Round 1

"We made a mistake, our drive works on friction, and we over-pumped the tyres, up to a really high level, and it means it'll go slower, and it drained the batteries. So we've got to let some air out of the tires and recharge the batteries."
— Paul Snook after Round 2

Etymology[]

The robot's name came from the tetanus disease of the same name, also known as lockjaw. This name was chosen because Tetanus is often caught by handling scrap metal, and Tetanus was made from scrap metal. The name Tetanus Booster in particular refers to a vaccination used to protect users from the tetanus disease.

The Team[]

Tetanus was entered into Robot Wars by a Shropshire-based team captained by Paul Snook, the driver and lead builder of the Tetanus machines. He was the lead speaker in interviews, and displayed a good sense of humour. Paul Snook was joined in all of his appearances by his 14-year old son Conrad Snook, and by his nephew and Conrad's cousin, 15-year old Luke Angell, who drove Tetanus 2 during the Minor Meltdown in the second series of Extreme.

Qualification[]

Tetanus was originally built for Series 4, but due to an internal fire a few days before the auditions, it was unable to attend the qualifiers.

"...we did build a machine for season 4 but it set on fire in testing a couple of days before the audition and we couldn't get the parts to fix it in time. Gutted! lol. It was tetanus. Basically tetanus as you know it with the red and yellow stripes, just weapon was slightly different"
— Conrad Snook in 2019[2]

Tetanus fought Terrorhurtz at the Series 5 qualifiers. It won the fight by knockout, piercing Terrorhurtz's gas bottle to freeze its internals for an instant immobilisation. Tetanus qualified for the Fifth Wars, though Terrorhurtz also received a discretionary place.

"Tetanus had its first ever fight against Terrorhurtz. It was terrorhurtz first ever fight...although they would have been automatically through to the to show with Killerhurtz as a seed, they had the do the qualifiers as it was an unproven new robot. Imagine the arena completely bare...no house robots, no grinders on, no flames etc and the pit button wasn't active. As luck had it the design of tetanus was perfect against terrorhurtz. They fit perfectly into our lifter/crusher. This was before terrorhurtz had that metal scoop/wedge at the front. So he drove at us and we scooped him up, while lifted he was immobile and we could carry him around easily. We would back up and drive into the pit release tyre (just to show we had control) then we would drop him over the pit square (even tho the pit didn't drop, to show we could have won). We did this a number of times while taking no damage for his axe. Then the last time we picked him up up we really squeezed hard and twisted him up about to make the regulated for his axe break and his co2 bottle burst and terrorhurtz was ok frozen up inside his polycarbonate body and instantly stopped working. We undeniably won hands down. … No other robot wanted to fight terrorhurtz. Lots of them were changing batteries and doing pointless work in their bots so they could say they weren't ready and could dodge fighting terrorhurtz. We always liked a challenge"
— Conrad Snook in 2019[3]

At the Series 6 qualifiers, Tetanus 2 fought Bash Gordon, Disc-O-Inferno and an unknown third robot. During the battle, Disc-O-Inferno immobilised the unknown robot and then cut into the arena wall to also immobilise itself. This left the battle as a head-to-head between Tetanus 2 and Bash Gordon, allowing Tetanus 2 to pierce through a speed controller in Bash Gordon to win by knockout. Tetanus 2 qualified directly, though Disc-O-Inferno would also be given a discretionary place in the Sixth Wars.

"We were concerned about disco inferno as they had one of the most distractive spinets {sic} at that time. Fortunately for us disco smashed straight into 'unknown' which damaged unknown and in the process flew off and got wedged in the side of the arena. I think their spinner partly cut into the arena wall and they then couldn't move. So that was two down within the first 5 seconds of the fight. Prior to this, in the pits me and my cousin (about age 12/13 at this point) could tell that Flash Gordon has thin polycarbonate a Rumour. So when chatting to the team we asked them what speed controller they had. They proudly showed off their 2 vantech speed controllers (£1000 each) Without thinking they showed us exactly where these vital and expensive components were...tetanus 2 had a narrow piercing crushing spike...so during the fight we just kept the mouth just open enough for him to fit in...and once we got them in the jaws we took some time to possibility the crushed spike directly over his speed controllers then crushed straight through his shell and put a nice big hole in them. They were immobilised and sick that they had shown us. Hahaha"
— Conrad Snook in 2019, misremembering the name of Bash Gordon and unable to remember the third opponent[4]

Tetanus Booster beat an unknown robot with wooden armour to qualify for Series 7.

"Can't remember who we were against with tetanus booster. I have a feeling they were quite amateur and it was made of wood. So our spinner just took them apart"
— Conrad Snook in 2019[5]

Conrad Snook was also planning a new robot for the rebooted series, but the show was cancelled before it could be constructed.

"I was actually getting together components for a possible new bot. But then they stopped doing the show again"
— Conrad Snook in 2019[6]

Robot History[]

Series 5[]

Tetanus was placed against veteran Onslaught in Round 1 of the Fifth Wars.

"Tetanus just the heavier, Onslaught very quick around the arena, always has been."
Jonathan Pearce weighs up the competition at the start of the battle
Onslaught vs Tetanus

Onslaught tries to lift Tetanus

Tetanusonslaught

Onslaught is toppled by Tetanus

Tetanus vs Onslaught

Tetanus turns Onslaught over

Tetanus started by driving at Onslaught, but its opponent was much too fast, and drove away before Tetanus could get close. It drove around its opponent, over the flames, circling Tetanus, before driving down the arena, then turned around, drove around Tetanus again, turning over the flames and charging straight at Tetanus, getting under it with the scoop and pushing it back. Onslaught fired the lifter, but this caused Tetanus to fall off the lifter as it continued pushing. Onslaught drove onto the raised pit, but bumped on the edge, then reversed into Tetanus. Tetanus pushed Onslaught, but its spike got caught on the edge of the pit, and Onslaught got away. Tetanus reversed off of the pit, and Onslaught charged at the front of Tetanus, pushing it against the bottom arena wall, but got itself up on the wedge front, allowing Tetanus to flip Onslaught onto its side and push back. Onslaught fired the lifter in an attempt to free itself, and as Tetanus turned around whilst pushing it, Onslaught fell onto its back. Tetanus pushed it to an angle grinder, and Onslaught self-righted just as it reached the grinder, but landed on the arena wall, so rolled over onto its back again. It briefly struggled to close its self-righter, but when it did close it, Tetanus was in front of it, so it could not self-right. Tetanus pinned Onslaught on its side against the arena wall, and Onslaught tried to fire its lifter to get free, to no avail.

"...They're in trouble here Onslaught, because Tetanus turned them turtle early on and are preventing them from self-righting."
— Jonathan Pearce
Tetanus steam vent

Tetanus breaks down over CO2 vent

Tetanus turned Onslaught into Sgt. Bash, which fired its flamethrower at Onslaught, as Tetanus continue to hold its opponent down, preventing it from self-righting or getting away. Tetanus pushed Onslaught away from the side wall, still impeding its attempts to self-right. The team tried to push Onslaught onto the flame pit, but Tetanus drove onto a Co2 vent as it attacked Onslaught, and Co2 seeped through a gap in Tetanus' base-plate, causing it to become immobile. With both robots immobilised, Refbot counted them both out, meaning the judges had to decide which robot had won. The judges went for Tetanus, putting them through to the next round.

"There's a hole, about five inches diameter, on the bottom of the robot, which has a castor in it, and no doubt the Co2's gone into that, and I don't know what it does to it, but it seems to have coated everything, probably the speed controller, inside the robot itself."
— Paul Snook explains why Tetanus stopped moving to Craig Charles

Tetanus was drawn against the eighth seed 3 Stegs 2 Heaven in Round 2.

"We hope we're going to meet loads of people, and kill them!"
— Paul Snook's pre-fight banter, prompting Jonathan Pearce to say that the Refbot would have a word
3 Stegs to Heaven vs Tetanus

Tetanus lifts 3 Stegs 2 Heaven. Note the severed prong

3 Stegs vs Tetanus

The limping 3 Stegs 2 Heaven attacks the immobile Tetanus

Both robots started slowly, with 3 Stegs 2 Heaven turning around to get its disc into play, whilst Tetanus initially held back. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven reversed towards Tetanus, but stopped and started turning one way and another, so Tetanus drove in, getting under the side of 3 Stegs 2 Heaven, pushing it back across the arena. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven managed to turn itself of the spike of Tetanus, hitting it with the disc, but this caused no damage. The two robots spun together, both trying to get their weapons in a good position to attack. Tetanus got its spike under 3 Stegs 2 Heaven, but 3 Stegs 2 Heaven turned and used its disc to get off the spike. However, Tetanus was still able to push 3 Stegs 2 Heaven back against an angle grinder.

"Difficult to see what damage that disc of 3 Stegs can do, because you see the side brace there on Tetanus to protect its armour"
— Jonathan Pearce

Tetanus lifted 3 Stegs 2 Heaven up, but 3 Stegs 2 Heaven fell off the lifter as Tetanus tried to turn away from the wall. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven tried to attack the front of Tetanus with the disc, but the disc stopped on impact, and Tetanus pushed it over the flames. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven was spinning on one wheel against the arena wall, and Tetanus pushed it up the arena and into the wall. Tetanus pinned it against the wall and lifted it up, but as it turned its opponent, 3 Stegs 2 Heaven's disc hit one of the top spikes, ripping it off. Tetanus was still able to hold 3 Stegs 2 Heaven against the arena wall.

"...and it's balanced very delicately, the machine and the battle I would say!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Tetanus holds 3 Stegs 2 Heaven up
Tetanuspit

Tetanus is pitted by Sgt. Bash

Tetanus dropped it, before using the lifter to pin 3 Stegs 2 Heaven down. However, one of Tetanus' prongs became caught under 3 Stegs 2 Heaven, so Refbot had to separate the two. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven moved away, albeit on one wheel, but Tetanus had stopped. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven used its disc to grind at Tetanus, and Refbot counted it out.

"I don't think the 3 Stegs boys have an opponent that is mobile. Tetanus have stopped. The Refbot agrees with me. And Tetanus being counted out, after a bright start. They didn't get the jab in, and their needle was blunted. 3 Stegs got the needle, and put them out!"
— Jonathan Pearce

The House Robots came in, with Matilda ripping of one of the wheel guards with her flywheel, before Sgt. Bash pitted Tetanus.

"We tried to lift them up, and we was doing okay, but our lifter got on top of them, we tried to push 'em down, it bent our tines down at the front, so then we had less traction, because of the oil, and we couldn't really move forward, and when you can't move forward in this game, well you're soon to be eaten, aren't you?"
— Paul Snook explains why Tetanus became immobilised

Series 6[]

In Round 1 of the Sixth Wars, Tetanus 2 fought Cyrax, Weld-Dor 3 and Ruf Ruf Dougal. The Tetanus team had fought the Cyrax team's previous entry Wild Willy in Series 3 with Flip Flop Fly.

"Ooh, now this is a mean-looking machine!"
— Jonathan Pearce introducing Tetanus 2
Cyrax Ruf Ruf Dougal Weld-Dor 3 1

Tetanus 2 (background right) pushes Weld-Dor 3 into Ruf Ruf Dougal

Tetanus II vs Weld-Dor 3

Tetanus 2 traps Weld-Dor 3 against the angle grinder

Tetanus 2 immediately clamped onto the most experienced of its three opponents, Weld-Dor 3. Weld-Dor 3 drove at Tetanus 2, allowing Tetanus 2 to get under it easily and push it into Ruf Ruf Dougal, which was being lifted by Cyrax. Tetanus 2 closed its crushed, but failed to puncture Weld-Dor 3, which was venting CO2 without the flipper firing. As Tetanus 2 raised the crusher, Weld-Dor 3 tried to get away, but could not get of the front tines of Tetanus 2, so Tetanus 2 pushed it up the arena. Tetanus 2 pinned Weld-Dor against the Refbot and brought the crusher down. It still could not puncture the top, but did have a good grip on Weld-Dor 3, and pushed it across the arena, pinning it against an angle grinder.

"Tetanus 2 is doing a lot of aggression, should this go to a judges' decision, that could prove decisive. Tetanus 2, for me, looks very good..."
— Jonathan Pearce

After this, Tetanus 2 reversed and manoeuvred Weld-Dor 3 onto the flame pit, before pushing it into the wall, then letting it go and reversing away. Weld-Dor 3 drove back at it, but missed with the flipper, having bounced back on contact. Tetanus 2 got hold of Weld-Dor 3 again, and pinned it against the wall again. Weld-Dor 3 managed to escape as Tetanus 2 turned to attack its side. Tetanus 2 followed it to the other side of the arena, getting under it with one of its tines and pushing it into Dead Metal's CPZ, which grabbed Weld-Dor 3 and cut into it with his saw.

"This is a very good display by Tetanus 2. ... I like the look of this machine."
— Jonathan Pearce
Wel-Dor pitted

Tetanus 2 pits Weld-Dor 3

As Dead Metal attacked Weld-Dor 3, Tetanus 2 drove down the arena and opened the pit. Whilst the camera was focusing on Cyrax fighting Ruf Ruf Dougal, Tetanus 2 got under Weld-Dor 3 again. It finished the Northern Irish machine off by pushing it into the pit. It then attacked Ruf Ruf Dougal, pushing it onto the flame pit. Ruf Ruf Dougal was still moving, and drove off the flames, so Tetanus 2 pushed it into Dead Metal's clutches just before "cease" was called.

The Judges were needed to decide which of the remaining remaining three robots would be eliminated, and they chose to eliminate Ruf Ruf Dougal, putting Tetanus 2 through to the second round. Tetanus 2 was drawn against Raging Reality in Round 2.

Philippa Forrester: "...did you see their first battle? Razer tried but couldn't ever get hold of them, so how is Tetanus going to get hold of them?"
Paul Snook: "Well, we're big, aren't we?"
— Pre-battle interview with Philippa Forrester
TetanusgrabsRR

Tetanus 2 and Growler team up on Raging Reality

Tetanus 2 Raging Reality pit

Raging Reality tries to free itself from Tetanus 2

As Tetanus 2 closed in on its opponent, Raging Reality tried to get around to its side. However, Tetanus 2 turned to face Raging Reality before it could flip, so Raging Reality reversed. Tetanus 2 pushed Team Knightmare's machine back, and Raging Reality reversed away, but Tetanus 2 followed it, eventually getting the tines under it and pushing it into the pit release button. Raging Reality managed to get off Tetanus 2's tines as it turned, and escaped, but drove into a CPZ, where Tetanus 2 caught up with it, pinned it into the corner, and started to close the crusher. However, as it did so, Growler rammed into it, loosening its grip on Raging Reality. Growler rammed into Raging Reality, pinning it in the corner. Tetanus 2 reversed out of the CPZ, then started driving at the side of Growler. Growler moved away, and Tetanus got under Raging Reality, which was not moving by the side wall. As Tetanus 2 closed the crusher on the flipper of Raging Reality, Growler drove to the other side and grabbed it in his jaw. As Tetanus 2 pulled Raging Reality out of the CPZ and towards the pit, Raging Reality tried firing its flipper to get free of Tetanus 2's crusher, but the flipper became caught on the crusher.

"Raging Reality though, is at this moment in time, very close to defeat. Tetanus 2 knows only a shove is needed..."
— Jonathan Pearce
Raging Reality vs Tetanus II

Tetanus 2 grabs Raging Reality near the arena wall

Tetanus 2 vs Raging Reality

Tetanus 2 being thrown out of the arena by Raging Reality

Tetanus 2 pushed Raging Reality against the arena wall, where Raging Reality was able to close the flipper, but it was stuck on the prongs of Tetanus 2, which had stopped moving after its saw blade wheels had cut into the arena floor and ground the robot in place. Refbot bumped into the two robots to try and separate them, but then reversed into the pit. After this, Raging Reality managed to get free of Tetanus 2 by firing the flipper again and again. It drove up the arena, before coming back and flipping Tetanus 2 over. As Tetanus 2 tried to self-right, Raging Reality got the flipper under it and flipped it over the wall.

"...and Raging Reality, from looking on the brink of oblivion, the brink of defeat - HAS TOPPLED TETANUS OUT OF THE ARENA! There's a tetanus jab for you! They're out! What a stunner!"
— Jonathan Pearce, as Tetanus 2 is flipped out of the arena

Tetanus 2 was eliminated, at the same stage as the team's previous two appearances.

Craig Charles: "You might be happy that you lost, because these guys have next got to go and fight Razer!"
Paul Snook: "Well, we'd have been a good match for Razer, but our worst fear was a flipper."
Craig Charles: "We'll see if we can get a grudge match going on one time!"
— Post-battle interview

Extreme 2[]

"The oldest team here, Luke Angell's 15, Conrad Snook 14."
— Jonathan Pearce as Tetanus 2 enters the arena

Tetanus 2 competed in the Minor Meltdown in Extreme Series 2, where it fought International Tag Team Terror champion Rick and Killer Carrot 2 in Round 1. Its claw weapon was removed and replaced with a mesh net, this was used for self-righting.

Philippa Forrester: "How much practice?"
Luke Angell: "Not a lot."
Philippa Forrester: ""Not a lot"?! You just told me twice a week for two years!"
Luke Angell: "Maybe I lied...!"
— Pre-Round 1 interview
TetanuspushesKillerCarrot

Tetanus 2 pushes Killer Carrot 2 onto the flame pit

In the battle, Tetanus 2 came in slowly, as Rick charged at Killer Carrot 2 before reversing away before it could flip. When Rick reversed, Tetanus 2 got its prongs under Killer Carrot 2 and pushed it back. However, Rick got behind it and lifted it up with the flipper. Tetanus 2 did not fall over due to having Killer Carrot 2 on the lifter, but had to stop for a moment to get its wheels down. Rick bumped into Tetanus 2's side, and Killer Carrot fired its lifter to try and get off the lifter, but Tetanus 2 was still able to push Killer Carrot 2 onto the flame pit. Killer Carrot 2 turned away, but in doing so got its lifter caught under an angle grinder.

"Wonder what effect that mesh will have, maybe it can tangle one or two things, but it looks a little bit, er, heavy, doesn't it, Tetanus 2?"
— Jonathan Pearce
Rick flips Tetanus

Rick flips Tetanus 2 onto its back

Tetanus 2 backed away, and Rick got under the lifter and flipped Tetanus 2 onto its back. Tetanus 2 tried to use the lifter to self-right, but was stuck on its back, and did not fall onto its wheels. Rick reversed into it, pushing it, and Killer Carrot 2 got around the other side and flipped it over Rick, allowing Tetanus 2 to land back on its wheels. Tetanus 2 drove away, before turning to fight Killer Carrot 2, getting the lifter under it. Rick got under Killer Carrot 2 and tried to flip it, but because it was lifting the lifter of Tetanus 2 as well, Rick could only lift Killer Carrot 2 up. Tetanus 2 turned away, getting its lifter off of Rick's flipper, and Rick turned around, with Killer Carrot 2 falling off the flipper. Tetanus 2 chased after Killer Carrot 2, catching up with it by the arena wall. It got its lifter under the front of Killer Carrot 2, but Killer Carrot 2 reversed away. Tetanus 2 drove after it, but drove up on Killer Carrot 2's lifter, and was lifted up a couple of times, before falling off. It drove back and pinned Killer Carrot against an angle grinder. Rick opened the pit, and whilst Tetanus 2 was fighting Killer Carrot 2, Rick got under Tetanus 2's raised lifter and flipped it onto its back.

"Wonder if Tetanus 2 is too big to go down that pit, 76cm high, 60cm long, one hundred and twenty wide."
— Jonathan Pearce
Killer carrot 2 pits tetanus 2

Killer Carrot 2 pits Tetanus 2

Killer Carrot 2 nudged Tetanus 2 towards the pit as it tried to self-right, and when Tetanus 2 was close enough to the pit, spun around and reversed Tetanus 2 into the pit.

"Tetanus 2 is not too big for our pit! They're out! ... It seemed rather cumbersome Tetanus 2, all the way though, and eventually went down, in a puff of smoke."
— Jonathan Pearce

Series 7[]

"Got the needle in past wars, could give the championship a real shot in the arm though!"
— Jonathan Pearce

In Round 1 of Series 7, Tetanus Booster came up against newcomer Leveller 2, Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit and Thunderpants. However, Thunderpants was unable to enter the arena, and was forced to withdraw, leaving Tetanus Booster to fight the remaining two.

Jayne Middlemiss: "You've been here quite a few times haven't you? Never got past the second round. Why do you think that is?"
Paul Snook: "Probably wasn't simple or strong enough."
Jayne Middlemiss: "And you've improved, you've made it simple and strong?"
Paul Snook: "Yeah."
Jayne Middlemiss: "So you think you're going to make it past the second round this time?"
Paul Snook: "Probably not, no!"
— Pre-battle interview with Jayne Middlemiss
Tetanus Booster vs Leveller 2

Tetanus Booster throws Leveller 2 over

Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit started by driving at Leveller 2, hitting it with the drum, and Tetanus Booster charged in as Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit's drum was grinding at the side of Leveller 2. Tetanus Booster bumped into one of Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit's wheels, and Leveller 2 missed a flip on Tetanus Booster. Tetanus Booster reversed away, and Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit hit Leveller 2's side, flipping it over. Tetanus Booster came back, bumping into the overturned Leveller 2, but backed off straight away, and Leveller 2 self-righted. immobilised itself whilst attacking a heavily battered Leveller 2. This meant Tetanus Booster was already through to the second round, but it still managed to break off the rear panel of Leveller 2 whilst Barber-Ous was being counted out, and flipped Leveller 2 over. Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit hit the rear of Leveller 2 before it could get away, flipping it over again. However, after this blow, Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit stopped moving. Tetanus Booster came back and started to use the drum on Leveller 2, but Leveller 2 self-righted. Tetanus Booster followed it, hitting its rear with the drum and knocking it up. Leveller 2 landed on Tetanus Booster, but quickly got down. Leveller 2 drove down the arena, and started pushing and trying to flip the immobile Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit. After leaving Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit, Leveller 2 drove up the arena, where Tetanus Booster followed it, giving it a glancing blow with the drum. Leveller 2 got away, but Tetanus Booster chased it, and eventually caught up. Tetanus Booster hit the rear, ripping loose the back panel. Tetanus Booster pushed Leveller 2, before hitting it with the drum again, flipping it over. Whilst Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit was counted out, Leveller 2 self-righted, but Tetanus Booster pushed it to the arena wall. Leveller 2 did not appear to be moving properly, but it was still through along with Tetanus Booster.

"Tetanus Booster, very impressive so far."
— Jonathan Pearce during the first-round melee

In Round 2, Tetanus Booster met Ewe 2. A new robot created by Team Coyote who competed before with Lambsy.

"Nobody likes flippers, nobody likes flippers. Unpredictable, can go either way"
— Paul Snook, asked by Jayne Middlemiss how he felt about fighting Ewe 2
Tetanus booster vs ewe 2

Tetanus Booster attempts to push Ewe 2

Ewe 2 vs Tetanus Booster

Tetanus Booster and Ewe 2 pursue each other

Both robots started slowly, and Tetanus Booster tried to get at the side of Ewe 2, but Ewe 2 turned and tried to get the flipper under Tetanus Booster. Tetanus Booster moved away before Ewe 2 could flip, but Ewe 2 followed, ramming into its side. Tetanus Booster turned to avoid the flipper, and drove away across the arena. It soon came back, hitting the side of Ewe 2 with the drum, then pushing at the front as Ewe 2 tried to get away. Ewe 2 started to push back, and Tetanus Booster kept reversing away from them. Eventually, Ewe 2 caught up and pushed Tetanus Booster back, before Tetanus Booster hit the lifting arm with its drum and reversed away. Ewe 2 drove at the front of Tetanus Booster, only to be knocked back by the drum. It charged again, this time avoiding the drum and pushing Tetanus Booster back. Ewe 2 tried to push Tetanus Booster into a CPZ, but Tetanus Booster reversed, drove at Ewe 2 with the drum spinning, before backing up the arena. Tetanus Booster charged at Ewe 2 with the drum spinning, knocking it back, then hit the front. Ewe 2 opened the pit, and Tetanus Booster pushed Ewe 2 in reverse up the arena. Tetanus Booster got a couple of hits on Ewe 2's front, ripping off a bit of armour.

"That's the first moment of decision, in this second round battle!"
— Jonathan Pearce

Ewe 2 pushed Tetanus booster down the arena, before Tetanus Booster got off its opponent's front by reversing. Tetanus Booster attacked Ewe 2 with its spinning drum, but failed to cause any damage. Ewe 2 pushed Tetanus Booster onto a flame jet.

"...suddenly the pace picks up!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Ewe 2 Damage

Tetanus Booster causes external damage to Ewe 2

Tetanus Booster vs Ewe 2

Tetanus Booster is pushed back by Ewe 2

Tetanus Booster reversed, but Ewe 2 drove behind it, blocking its escape, so Tetanus Booster drove over the flame jet to try and escape, only for Ewe 2 to block it again. Tetanus Booster slowly reversed away, but Ewe 2 followed it and pushed it down the arena and into the pit release tire. It pinned Tetanus Booster against the button, and Tetanus Booster had slowed down considerably and its spinning weapon was not moving, so it could not fight back. Ewe 2 drove up the arena, closely followed by Tetanus Booster, but the drum was only spinning slightly and the robot was moving slowly, so Ewe 2 was able to push Tetanus Booster into the arena wall and one of the angle grinders before pushing it into the CPZ. Sir Killalot trapped it against the wall as time ran out.

"I don't know, I can't pick, it's that close!"
— Jonathan Pearce reviewing the highlights

The judges controversially gave the win to Tetanus Booster, on the grounds of damage caused. This decision was questioned by Craig Charles, who thought that Ewe 2 deserved the victory, leading to an amusing response from Conrad Snook.

Craig Charles: "What were the judges thinking, tell me, I don't understand it!"
Conrad Snook: "I've got to give them the money in a minute!"
— Justification of a controversial victory

This put Tetanus Booster through to the Heat Final against reigning champion and European and International champion Tornado.

"Very, very good driver, very powerful machine, and they never leave you alone, you always only ever see the front of 'em, they never turn round, they're always on ya."
— Paul Snook on Tornado
Tetanus Booster vs Tornado

Tetanus Booster's high ground clearance is exposed

Tornado started much quicker, driving around Tetanus Booster and getting under it. Tornado pushed Tetanus Booster up the arena, slamming it into the arena wall. Tetanus Booster fell off Tornado, but Tornado quickly got under it again and pushed it around, driving it into a CPZ, before turning around and pushing it into the wall in the opposite CPZ. Tetanus Booster fell off and tried to get away, but Tornado was close behind them, and pushed them into Cassius Chrome, before turning them around and ramming them into an angle grinder.

"There is no hiding place, no respite for Tetanus Booster."
— Jonathan Pearce
Tornado vs Tetanus Booster

Tornado holds Tetanus Booster in the CPZ

Tornado had Tetanus Booster trapped by the arena wall, and when Tetanus Booster tried to use its drum on Tornado, it merely bounced off the wedge front. Tornado let Tetanus Booster move away from the wall, only to push it into the angle grinder again. Tornado let Tetanus Booster go again, but got under it again almost straight away, pushing it into a CPZ at the bottom of the arena and pinning it against the wall. Tornado reversed away to open the pit, and Tetanus Booster managed to limp out of the CPZ as Shunt came in. However, after doing so, it stopped moving, seemingly stuck on the wall.

"The pit open, yawning. Well, if I was Tetanus Booster, and I was driving, if I was Conrad Snook or Luke Angell at the controls, I'd go straight for the pit, I must admit, and regroup, rebuild after ... running away, basically!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Tornado vs Tetanus Booster

Tetanus Booster is pitted

Tornado nudged it from behind, which allowed it to move away, but it was only slightly moving and drove into the arena wall. After another slam from Tornado, Tetanus Booster moved away, and seemed to regain its speed as it headed up the arena. Tornado followed it, and soon got under it again, pushing it over the flame pit and into the wall. Tornado pulled Tetanus Booster away from the wall, then slammed it into the arena wall higher up the arena. Tornado pushed Tetanus Booster into a CPZ, and drove in itself trying to block its opponents escape. Cassius Chrome pinned Tetanus Booster against the wall and Shunt axed it. Tetanus Booster slowly reversed away, and Tornado pushed it into a CPZ, trapping it in. Tornado reversed out as the House Robots came in, and Tetanus Booster managed to escape after a hit from Cassius Chrome. Tornado blocked Tetanus Booster, which reversed away, but drove into the wall. Tornado got behind it and rammed it into Cassius Chrome. Tetanus Booster managed to get off of Tornado as it pulled it out of the CPZ. Tetanus Booster tried to stay away from Tornado by reversing away, but Tornado was in close pursuit, and managed to get under Tetanus Booster and push it a couple of times. Tetanus Booster tried to dodge, but Tornado got under again and pushed it into the pit.

"So tremendously brave performance by Tetanus Booster, ends right now, and Tornado, the reigning champs, continue the defence of the crown. Unlucky the Tetanus Booster team, they've met just about the best there is in Robot Wars, that machine!"
— Jonathan Pearce

Tetanus Booster was eliminated, having reached the furthest stage they ever achieved in competition.

Craig Charles: "How did you feel when you knew you were going to fight the reigning UK champions?"
Paul Snook: "Very happy! Very, very happy! No, we were. If you're going to go out to anyone, go out to the best!"
Craig Charles: "You put up a good fight though, didn't you? I mean, I think something's broken on their robot anyway"
Paul Snook: "Yeah, we broke their lifter, I think, with probably one of the first hits. But it still works as a wedge, so we was on top of them for a lot of the way, that's why the batteries lasted!"
— Post-battle interview

Results[]

TETANUS - RESULTS
Series 5
The Fifth Wars - UK Championship
Heat Semi-Final
Heat I, Eliminator vs. Onslaught Won
Heat I, Semi-Final vs. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven (8) Lost
TETANUS 2 - RESULTS
Series 6
The Sixth Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Round 2
Heat A, Eliminator vs. Cyrax, Ruf Ruf Dougal, Weld-Dor 3 Qualified
Heat A, Semi Final vs. Raging Reality Lost
Extreme Series 2
Minor Meltdown
Round 1
Round 1 vs. Killer Carrot 2, Rick Eliminated
TETANUS BOOSTER - RESULTS
Series 7
The Seventh Wars - UK Championship
Heat Final
Heat E, Eliminator vs. Barber-Ous 2'n a Bit, Leveller 2, Thunderpants Qualified
NOTE: Thunderpants broke down in the entry gate and never made it into the arena, leaving the other three robots to fight alone.
Heat E, Semi-Finals vs. Ewe 2 Won
Heat E, Final vs. Tornado (1) Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 4
  • Losses: 4

Series Record[]

Main Series Tetanus Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Did not enter
The Third Wars Entered with Flip Flop Fly
The Fourth Wars Withdrew from qualifiers with Tetanus
The Fifth Wars Heat, Round 2 as Tetanus
The Sixth Wars Heat, Round 2 as Tetanus 2
The Seventh Wars Heat Final as Tetanus Booster
Series 8 Did not enter
Series 9 Did not enter
Series 10 Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme Appearances
Series 1 Did not enter
Series 2 Entered as Tetanus 2

Outside Robot Wars[]

Tetanusext2

Tetanus 2 at Roaming Robots Gaydon 2002

Tetanus02event

Tetanus 2 in the arena with Tornado

The Extreme 2 version of Tetanus 2 fought at the Roaming Robots Gaydon event in 2002 where it took part in two battles. Its first fight was against Tornado where Tetanus 2 was constantly pushed around the arena before it lost drive on one side and was defeated. Tetanus 2 then fought Tornado a second time along with The Stag and Destructosaur, but again lost after being pushed around the arena.[7]

Trivia[]

Tetanus Booster S7

Official Series 7 photo

  • Tetanus was also the team name used by the Sumpthing team.
  • Strangely, every time either Flip Flop Fly or one of the Tetanus machines lost a battle in the main competition, the robot who beat it would eventually lose to that series' runner-up.
  • The original Tetanus has the dubious distinction of being the only robot ever immobilized by the Arena's CO2 jets (though it won the battle in which this happened).
    • Coincidentally, Tetanus 2 fought the only other robot significantly damaged by them, Ruf Ruf Dougal, the following series.
  • Tetanus 2 is the only crusher-wielding robot to be Thrown Out of the Arena by another competitor.
  • All robots that Tetanus lost to in the UK Championship had or would become semi-finalists.
    • They also fought each other at some point - Tornado fought 3 Stegs 2 Heaven in Extreme 1 and Team Knightmare in the semi-finals of Series 7.
    • Team Knightmare were the only team to beat Tetanus in the UK Championship not to be seeded at any point.
  • Tetanus was the only robot in the Extreme 2 Minor Meltdown that did not fight Bigger Brother at any point, though they did previously appear in the same heat in Series 5 where if Tetanus had beaten 3 Stegs 2 Heaven in Round 2, it would have fought Bigger Brother afterwards.

References[]

  1. Robot Wars Magazine, Issue 18, p.9
  2. Correspondence with Wiki user SpaceManiac888
  3. Correspondence with Wiki user SpaceManiac888
  4. Correspondence with Wiki user SpaceManiac888
  5. Correspondence with Wiki user SpaceManiac888
  6. Correspondence with Wiki user SpaceManiac888
  7. http://www.teamtornado.co.uk/gaydon02.htm

Navigation[]

Advertisement