Robot Wars Extreme 2001

Robot Wars 'Extreme' 2001

Ok, before I start to write this I want to get one thing straight, and a couple of thankyou's in. Firstly, Storm was NOT competing at Robot Wars 'Extreme' I was there on the suggestion of the Tornado team that I come down to watch the show, and thanks must be extended to Ian from Bigger Brother and Alex from the Mentorn team for arranging a pit pass for the event for me.

Writing about Extreme isn't easy - I'm not going to tell you about the fights in any detail as you haven't seen them yet, and there isn't going to be anything in here that is going to tell you who won the All Stars, or the World Championships. Also the pictures that are up on this page are just general pictures of the event. They don't tell you anything about the event or any of the outcomes of any fights.

Going to Extreme however allowed us to get a feel for what's its like at Robot Wars, how the system operates, and what to expect. If you're a newcomer to the sport like us, you might be surprised at what goes on behind the scenes, and just how much pressure Menton can put on you to perform.

Phillipa at Tommorows World Live
(Sadly not working with Robot Wars)

Julia Reed interviewing a team at
Extreme

One moment you are waiting around for what seems like hours - with some teams being given one or 2 days off. Whilst at other times, with no notice, you will get a call from a member of the crew that they need you lined up to go on now. Its all very stressful, and a lot of things can be taken the wrong way very easily leading to frayed nerves and lots of tension.

Saying that - once filming ends for the day, there is only one direction to head, and that's for the nearest bar. With Mentorn putting all the teams up in local hotels (well, buildings full of beds at least) getting out for a piss up, isn't too hard. On the Thursday night after filming I popped out for a quick drink with Panic Attack, Bigger Brother, Tornado, Stinger, Pussy Cat, Suicidal Tendencies, Wild Thing and anyone else who we picked up along the way. The Razer team were supposed to be coming as well, but they got lost somewhere along the way.

Kim and Panic Attack lead the hunt for the pub	... which soon descends into anarchy and confusion
.... but the pub is eventually found	The divine Isabelle from Wild Thing kept the boys in line

Speaking of getting lost, never never never accept directions from Ian from Bigger Brother. Not only did they not go the pub they said they were going to, their directions to the one they were in took us on a 3 mile hike around west London looking for the place - which we eventually found down a side street off High Street Kensington. However the beer was good, and all were happy. Grabbed a very quick McDonalds with the Tornado team before heading back up to Ipswich for the night.

Everyone says goodbye and goodnight after the pub

Friday during the day I spent most of my time getting Storm ready for Wilsons Day which was taking place the next day. In the late afternoon / evening I went down to the Extreme filming to see what was going on. I was greeted with tales of the days fights by numerous people, some surprises in there too. Some teams who got a bit bashed the day before were there all welded up and looking (almost) like new, but everyone still seemed to be enjoying themselves in a manic kind of way.

Tornado do their pre-fight checks by.... taking it all to bits

... and putting it all back together again.

Whilst I was at Extreme, Andy from our Team was prepping Storm in Ipswich, ready for the trip down to Wilson's Day - a big thanks to Andy for doing that, as without him and his "little van" Storm wouldn't have been able to attend.

As I was booked into a hotel in Croydon for Wilsons Day I was able to go out after filming for a meal with Tornado. And after finding the Stinger team drinking in one pub, we found a very 'authentic' (for a polite description) Chinese for a meal and a discussion of the days' events. Afterwards we parted company and I headed out to Croydon to meet Andy ready for Wilsons' Day.

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