[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: Draft Rules for Schools Micromouse Competition
I agree with Nick about rules that seek to exclude people from competing.
I am sure that was not the intention when they were formulated. I know what
a thankless and difficult job it is writing sets of rules. I get involved
in writing
rules for model aircraft competitions, and folk get very upset about toy
planes. I feel that rules for MM-type comps. should imply that anything
close to the spirit of the comp. will be allowed to perform on the day.
It should be clear that flexibility in the rules will be used to encourage
all
attempts at mouse-building, but not to the extent of allowing "non-legal"
mice to take precedence over "legal" mice.
The introduction of "judges-discretion" prizes, for instance for most
amusing/original/adventurous/complex.... means that such entries can
be rewarded and hence encouraged, bcause the guiding rule is:
WE WANT THEM BACK NEXT YEAR.
The non-stopping penalty rule for the rat-race is a difficult one. A rifle
bullet with wheels would win under a "+30 percent" rule, for instance.
An alternative is:-
The mouse that runs the course in the shortest time without hitting the
crash stop will be declared the winner. All mice that complete the course
but hit the crash-stop will have the winner's time added to their run-time.
Positions of second, third.... will be calculated from these adjusted
times.
Thus a mouse which completes the course VERY quickly but fails to stop
might beat a mouse that completes the course VERY slowly but stops
successfully. However, it will not win unless ALL mice hit the crash-stop,
but it might come second or third.
Regards from Alan D. who has just been challenged by Nick Smith that
my 'new' mouse will not reach the centre at the Easter meet. The ante
is £10 to a charity of my choice and I expect him to bring his cheque
book and smile when he loses.
Follow-Ups: