The Gap

The Gap
Participation Information
US Season	2
Team Information
Team	Team Creative Steel
Team Members	Max Chapin Josh Robson Jordan Robson
From	Salem, Oregon
Robot Statistics
Weight	198lbs
Dimensions	29" x 57" x 42"
Power	2 x 12V Batteries
Weapons	Pneumatic Lifting Platform
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"What we've got here is 200lbs of serious fighting machine! We can lift up to 400lbs, flip any robot in the house, as far as we need."

— Max Chapin explains The Gap's design to Carol Grow

The Gap was the second of two heavyweight robots built by Team Run Amok for Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors, competing in Season 2 under their sister team Team Creative Steel. It reached the second round of its heat, before losing to Propeller-Head after sustaining gearbox damage and driving itself into the Pit.

Team Run Amok also competed in the main US Championship themselves with Run Away, which had previously appeared in multiple events across Season 1 of Extreme Warriors. Both teams would also take part in the International Tag Team event of Nickelodeon Robot Wars, though Team Creative Steel entered with the loanerbot Zanzara instead as The Gap could not be repaired in time following its Season 2 run.

Design

The Gap in the arena

The Gap with its lifter fully extended

The Gap was a tall, two-wheel drive robot with a rectangular-shaped chassis, checkerplated armor and a large 'pneumatic lifting platform' supported by an exposed metal frame. The 'platform' was essentially a conventional rear-hinged lifting arm with an elongated lower lip, capable of lifting over 400lbs as well as pinning opponents in place against the robot's triangular base frame. In effect, The Gap's weapon could also double as a clamping mechanism.

Though its lifter proved very effective in combat and was capable of self-righting, the robot was largely untested and vulnerable to having its externally-mounted wheels damaged by spinning weapons. The total cost to build The Gap was around $4,000 according to Mark Joerger.

Etymology

"On our first trip to Robot Wars we spent a lot of time on the London 'Underground' subway system. There were signs and a voice on the PA system reminding riders to 'mind the gap', which meant to look out for the space between the boarding platform and the train.

When we built our lifterbot for the next Robot Wars, it had a 'gap' between the raised lifter platform and the lower frame that could trap other 'bots. We thought it was only fair to point out that our opponents should mind The Gap."

— Aaron Joerger on the origins behind The Gap's name

Inspiration for The Gap's name came from the phrase 'mind the gap', as famously used by the London Underground to warn passengers of stepping into the gap between the train and station platform. During filming for the first season of Extreme Warriors, Team Run Amok frequently commuted on the Underground system, and would later recollect the phrase when referring to the space between the robot's lifter and weapon frame. Further emphasising this theme, The Gap's logo was designed to resemble that of the Underground.

The Team

The Gap being tested by Mark Joerger and Max Chapin

The Gap was built as a collaboration between Mark Joerger of Team Run Amok and Max Chapin, owner of the Creative Steel metal fabrication shop in Salem, Oregon. Chapin had previously worked with Joerger as the welder for Team Run Amok's previous heavyweight, Run Away, and the pair initially planned to enter the robot together under the Team Creative Steel name.

"I was busy driving and repairing Run Away at the competition, so driving The Gap fell to my chief metal fabricator and design consultant, Max Chapin. Max is the owner of the Creative Steel metal fab shop here in Salem and did a fantastic job as a first-time robot combatant."

— Mark Joerger on Max Chapin

Team Creative Steel with The Gap in Season 2

However, with Joerger already occupied with his role as team captain for Run Away in Extreme Warriors Season 2, Chapin entered the team - and The Gap - into the season himself, joined by his wife, Kristie (who would not appear on television), and their two sons Josh and Jordan Robson. He would serve as team captain, drive The Gap and take up most of the team's speaking roles on screen.

Robot History

Season 2

According to Mark Joerger, The Gap was originally intended to compete in an unspecified side competition in Extreme Warriors Season 2, having not been considered for the main US Championship due to Run Away already receiving a place. However, following correspondence between Joerger and technical crew member Dan Danknick, and an inspection by the producers in The Pits, it was allocated a place in Heat D.

"As far as our strategy goes, we're here to survive, and dish out as much mayhem and destruction as possible!"

— Max Chapin introduces The Gap

In the first round, it and Team Creative Steel faced fellow newcomer Trackzilla and returning runner-up The Revolutionist, the robot's appearance having impressed pit reporter Carol Grow beforehand.

The Gap flips Trackzilla onto its side

The Gap is immobilized by The Revolutionist

Within the opening seconds, The Gap darted towards and around the side of Trackzilla, flipping the Team Innovation machine over. It stopped a nearby Sgt. Bash from attacking Trackzilla as its struggling opponent attempted to self-right, only to reverse into and become temporarily immobilized by a charging Revolutionist. Though The Revolutionist lost the use of its spinning shell as a result, The Gap was left immobile on one side; a tussle with Sgt. Bash allowed it to get its lifter underneath the House Robot while Trackzilla was counted out. The Gap thus progressed to the second round alongside The Revolutionist, the power of its lifter impressing Team Innovation and taking Team Creative Steel by surprise.

"Now talk about your devastation! Trackzilla just kind of flipped instantly, the robotic equivalent of a one-punch knockout!"

— Mick Foley's assessment of The Gap's flip on Trackzilla

With its drivetrain fully repaired, The Gap next faced Propeller-Head, another newcomer to the competition. Prior to the fight, both teams expressed enthusiasm and wariness towards their respective opponents' strengths – Team Robot Dojo's Mike Konshank suggested that The Gap's 'very ominous' lifter made it a genuine threat to his machine.

"If there was one bot in this competition that could beat Propeller-Head, it would be this one!"

— Mike Konshak's view on The Gap

Likewise, a confident Max Chapin stated that Propeller-Head's bar spinner and the Pit were Team Creative Steel's only 'fears'.

"And Refbot gives the green light! The Gap is ready to go!"

— Stefan Frank calls the start of The Gap's Round 2 battle

The Gap began the fight by crossing over the Disc of Doom and raising its lifter, only to sustain and deflect a number of heavy blows from Propeller-Head's blade. Though slow to respond, The Gap charged towards and sent Propeller-Head recoiling over its lifter frame, causing Team Robot Dojo's machine to spin around at an angle. After this, both competitors dodged each other for a few moments, before The Gap took another barrage of hits to its lifter, wheels and rear panel from Propeller-Head. It was left driving noticeably slower at that point, lingering between Refbot and the Floor Flipper with a badly bent left wheel hub.

The Gap traps Propeller-Head

The Gap drives into the Pit

After being pushed off the Flipper by Shunt, The Gap again began struggling for forward mobility, turning 180 degrees and spinning over the Flame Pit as Propeller-Head approached. With its opponent having powered down its spinner, The Gap shot forwards towards an empty CPZ, turned again and drove around in an arc to briefly get underneath Propeller-Head. Having missed its chance for a flip, it proceeded to chase, lift and clamp Propeller-Head with its weapon before Propeller-Head used its spinner to force its way free. The Gap took more hits from Propeller-Head before twitching across the arena, again seemingly with drive issues. As Propeller-Head pressed the Pit trigger, it sped around and fell into the Pit itself, resulting in The Gap being eliminated from the US Championship.

Mick Foley: "Now guys, I know you've got my name on your shoulder, which means I automatically like you, but it looks to me like maybe you didn't even know the Pit was open! You kinda drove right into it!"

Max Chapin: "[Propeller-Head] had just tripped it, and as I spun around to go back into battle, the Pit had only opened four or five inches. I hadn't even realized that it had dropped!"

Mick Foley: "Ah, it was four or five inches too much for you guys!"

Max Chapin: "It was enough, it was enough."

— The Gap's self-pitting is discussed

Nickelodeon

The Team Run Amok website suggests that The Gap was also planned to take part in the International Tag Team event of Nickelodeon Robot Wars. However, the damage inflicted by Propeller-Head to one of its gearboxes – which contributed to the robot's mobility issues in the second round – was severe enough to render it irreparable for this event. As a result, Team Creative Steel received the loanerbot Zanzara to compete with instead, partnering up with Team Run Amok and Run Away.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 1
• Losses: 1

Series Record

US Series	The Gap Series Record
Season 1	Entered with Run Away
Season 2	Heat, Round 2 Entered with Run Away
Nickelodeon	Entered with Zanzara and Run Away

Gallery

The Gap in The Pits

The Gap in the arena with its weapon raised

Official image of The Gap

Outside Robot Wars

Following its appearance on Robot Wars, Mark Joerger and Max Chapin improved The Gap with a more powerful pneumatics system for its lifter. At the DaVinci Days technology fair in July 2002, it showcased its upgraded weapon by throwing a trash can at a height of 15ft, which was enough for The Gap to win the flipper demonstration at the event.

During the same month, The Gap attended the Oregon Clandestine Street Fight, winning both of its battles against established BattleBots competitor SlamJob and Robotica Season 3 runner-up JuggerBot 3.0. Team Run Amok outlined further upgrades such as improved protection for the wheels and a 'spinner bumper' for future competitions, though a third season of Extreme Warriors was never commissioned.

External Links

• 'Team Run Amok's Heavyweight Flipper Combat Robot', Team Run Amok website