Challenger was a pair of robots which competed in Series 2 and 3 of Robot Wars. Neither version of the robot achieved much success, with the Series 2 version being eliminated in the Joust Trial, and the Series 3 version, Challenger 2, reaching the second round of its Heat before losing to Panzer there.
Driver Steve Dove also controlled one of the stock robots, Eubank the Mouse, in Series 1, as well as joining Team Joint Effort in Series 6 when they entered GBH 2.
Versions of Challenger
Challenger
Challenger in Series 2
The insides of the first Challenger
The original Challenger was a somewhat triangular "Ferrari red" box wedge shaped robot with yellow and black stripes that entered the 2nd and 3rd series of Robot Wars. It was painted scarlet red with spikes on top to resemble hair; during Series 2 these were not yet implemented and a yellow flag was there instead. It also had an angle grinder and a custom built gearbox and its weapons in Series 2 were a set of stainless steel spikes with racing car springs to protect the robot from shocks, a milling cutter with three carbine inserts and a 3000RPM carbine movable saw at the back.
Challenger 2
Challenger 2 minus the back panel
Although Challenger 2 was largely the same robot in terms of design and structure, a more prominent 100RPM cutting blade powered by a motorcycle starter motor and lifting spikes was added in Series 3 to impale opponents on the top of the robot, where more spikes were added to hold robots in place. This version of Challenger was narrowly over the Weight Limit for Heavyweights at the time.
Robot History
Series 2
Challenger becomes stuck on the bricks
Challenger was the first to run the Gauntlet in its heat and started by trying to smash through the brick wall. After taking several attempts to break through, Challenger then got stuck on the ramp and the house robots came in to inflict damage. Challenger did however cover enough ground to just get through as Griffon failed to travel as far, putting it through in fifth place.
Challenger is pushed back by Matilda
Next was the Trial stage where the robots were up against Matilda in the Joust, Challenger started badly by driving into the side of the ramp, Matilda then came in, pushing Challenger back past the start and cease was called, Challenger was eliminated as it had travelled -1 metre.
- "Steve Dove, take a breathalyser for goodness sake!"
- — Jonathan Pearce commenting on Challenger's driving
Series 3
Challenger 2 shoves Atlas across the arena
The new robot, Challenger 2, fought its first battle against Atlas. Both Atlas and Challenger drove into each other at the start, before Challenger 2 pushed Atlas around the arena. Challenger's weapon buckled the armour of Atlas. Atlas was stuck on the arena wall, and was attacked by the House Robots.
Challenger 2 is pitted
Challenger 2 is axed by Shunt
- "Challenger 2's weaponry - vastly superior!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, comparing Challenger 2 to Panzer
With that victory, it met Panzer. However, the design of the robots meant that Panzer kept driving over Challenger, unable to get pushing power, and Challenger's top spikes failed to hold its opponent on top. Challenger took defensive action, and fled from Panzer. After being unable to attack Panzer effectively, Challenger 2 was pushed into the pit from behind by its opponent. Whilst it was in the pit, Challenger 2 got attacked by the house robots, in particular being hit by Shunt's axe before cease was called.
Results
| CHALLENGER - RESULTS | ||
| Series 2 | ||
| The Second Wars - UK Championship Heat Trial | ||
| Heat C, Gauntlet | 5.3m (5th) | Qualified |
| Heat C, Trial (Joust) | Backwards 0.1m (5th) | Eliminated |
| Series 3 | ||
| The Third Wars - UK Championship Heat Semi-Final | ||
| Heat L, Round 1 | vs. Atlas | Won |
| Heat L, Round 2 | vs. Panzer | Lost |
Wins/Losses
- Wins: 1
- Losses: 1
NOTE: Challenger's Gauntlet and Trial runs are not included
Series Record
| Series | Challenger Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Entered with Eubank the Mouse |
| The Second Wars | Heat, Trial |
| The Third Wars | Heat, Round 2 |
| The Fourth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Fifth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Sixth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Seventh Wars | Did not enter |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |
NOTE: Steve Dove joined Team Joint Effort to enter GBH 2 into Series 6.
Outside Robot Wars
Challenger took part in the Bordon Charity Event in 1999. - http://robotwars101.org/events/1999/Bordon1999/
Challenger 2 took part in the Charity Events at High Wycombe (http://robotwars101.org/events/1999/Wycombe1999/) and Sevenoaks (http://robotwars101.org/events/1999/SevenOaks/).
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