 All battle/event/episode write-ups must be written in the past tense.
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- "So far on Robot Wars, seven winners. Chaos 2 pressed the Atomic button and out went the yellow peril. Pussycat, Pussycat, We love you. Robochicken didn't. Neither did the Razer. Firestorm raged. The Morgue died a death. Steg 2 left Mortis in a stew. Dominator 2 was double the strength of 101. Tornado blew away Gemini despite facing double jeopady from the clusterbot. And sending into hibernation, Kronic the Wedgehog, Thermidor 2. Now, I want more!"
- — Jonathan Pearce's introduction
Heat H of Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars (also referred to in recaps as Heat 8) was the eighth of sixteen heats which determined the semi-finalists of Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars. The episode featuring Heat H was originally broadcast on 17 November 2000 on BBC Two. The broadcast managed to attract 3.36 million viewers, a decrease of 20,000 viewers when compared with the previous episode. According to BARB, this meant it ranked thirteenth in the top thirty highest rated BBC 2 broadcasts during 13-19 November 2000.
- "Now, I’ve seen a few fashions in my time. In the seventies, you could get flares so big that boy scouts would set camp on my inner thigh. Then, it was platform shoes; my heels were so high, the cat would use the laces to go bungee jumping. In the eighties, it was all ‘fellas wearing make-up’, which played havoc with my complexion. But, as fashions come and go, robots are here to stay, just like the six technological trainspotters about to battle for a place in the Series Semi-Finals. You’ll all be doing it next year!"
- — Craig Charles' introduction
Competing Robots[]
Newcomers[]
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|---|---|---|
| Maverick | ||
| Weight | 79.8kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.40 x 0.88 x 0.74m | |
| Clearance | 0.06m | |
| Power | 2 x Wheelchair motors | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic front flipper | |
| Notes | New to the competition | |
| From: Southampton | ||
| Team Members: Francis Gallagher, Brett Skinner & Kevin Gallagher | ||
Veterans[]
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|---|---|---|
| Wheely Big Cheese (seeded 15th) | ||
| Weight | 79.4kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.42 x 1.43 x 1.07m | |
| Clearance | 0.02m | |
| Power | 2 x Golf cart motors | |
| Weapons | Throwing device, spiky wheels | |
| Notes | Has tungsten golf shoe spikes | |
| From: Langport, Somerset | ||
| Team Members: Roger Plant, Paul Otten & Jon McGugan | ||
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|---|---|---|
| Suicidal Tendencies (seeded 32nd) | ||
| Weight | 80.0kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.30 x 1.30 x 0.58m | |
| Clearance | 0.01m | |
| Power | 2 x 1400W motors | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic axe, forklift | |
| Notes | Has steam engine whistle | |
| From: Derby | ||
| Team Members: Andrew Jeffrey, Charles Binns & Martin Jeffrey | ||
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|---|---|---|
| Wheelosaurus | ||
| Weight | 76.0kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.75 x 1.50 x 1.50m | |
| Clearance | 0.05m | |
| Power | Strimmer petrol engine | |
| Weapons | Brushwood cutter, spikes | |
| Notes | Attacked Sergeant Bash in Series 2 | |
| From: Guildford, Surrey | ||
| Team Members: Peter Gibson | ||
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|---|---|---|
| Prizephita MK2 | ||
| Weight | 78.9kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.50 x 1.00 x 0.95m | |
| Clearance | 0.05m | |
| Power | Lawnmower motor powered | |
| Weapons | CO2 pneumatic flipper, spikes | |
| Notes | Uses wheelchair controllers | |
| From: Ipswich | ||
| Team Members: Roy Alcock, Phillip Chaplin & Sharon Alcock | ||
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|---|---|---|
| Killertron | ||
| Weight | 80.0kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.70 x 1.10 x 1.15m | |
| Clearance | 0.08m | |
| Power | 2 x 24V motors | |
| Weapons | Big axe | |
| Notes | Came 3rd in Series 2 | |
| From: Maidstone, Kent | ||
| Team Members: Richard Broad, Abdul Degia & Ian Degia | ||
Eliminators[]
- "And as always, Craig, we have two seeds. Number thirty-two Suicidal Tendencies against Killertron and Maverick. Wheelosaurus against Prizephita against the fifteenth seeds Wheely Big Cheese, dumped, in the last series, by Killalot, and I can tell you, after revenge, big time!"
- — Jonathan Pearce reviewing the "fashion victims" in the heat
Wheely Big Cheese (15) vs Wheelosaurus vs Prizephita MK2[]
- "Well. I think we've worked up an appetite for destruction. So, let the wars begin!"
- — Craig Charles
The battle got off to a very tentative start, with Prizephita MK2 and Wheelosaurus not moving for a few seconds. Both robots then made a move towards each other, with Prizephita MK2 flicking Wheelosaurus over.
- "Oh, and immediately flipped up and over by Prizephita!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Prizephita MK2 flips Wheelosaurus
Wheely Big Cheese nudges Prizephita MK2 into Sir Killalot's CPZ
Prizephita MK2 continued to flip Wheelosaurus while Wheely Big Cheese went straight for Sir Killalot (seeking revenge for the team's predecessor, The Big Cheese). Shunt came across, so Wheely Big Cheese moved away, joining its fellow competitors. Using the traction of its studded wheels, Wheely Big Cheese reversed into Prizephita MK2, pushing it across the arena with ease and slamming it into the arena wall. Wheelosaurus seemed to have control problems, as it lost a spike from one of its pram wheels. It still managed to attack one of Wheely Big Cheese's wheels with its strimmer blade, but ineffectively. Wheely Big Cheese tried to flip Prizephita MK2, but could only lift it low off the ground, having merely breached the narrow ground clearance. Prizephita MK2 continued to have problems itself, as it hung dangerously near Sir Killalot's CPZ.
- "Is Prizephita immobilised on the arena wall? Dangerously near a CPZ."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wheely Big Cheese attempts to flip Sir Killalot
Shunt axes Prizephita MK2 as Wheelosaurus attempts to slice Shunt's wheel
Dead Metal attacked Wheelosaurus as Wheely Big Cheese forced Prizephita MK2 further into the CPZ, along with a second improper flip, before Shunt came across and axed into Prizephita MK2 and dragged it around. Wheelosaurus tried to intervene on Shunt briefly, but nothing more as control problems resumed. Wheely Big Cheese then attacked Sir Killalot again, this time managing to slide underneath, but it couldn't lift the exceedingly heavy House Robot.
- "So, is the boast to come true? They can throw 800kg, they tell us! Come on then... throw Killalot! Go on! Throw Killalot - YOU CAN'T! You can't! The pit descends, one nil to the House Robots, I think, there, Roger Plant, don't you?"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wheely Big Cheese is pushed into the pit as is Prizephita MK2
All three of the competitors end up in the pit
Dead Metal brought its circular saw down onto Wheely Big Cheese as Roger Plant's machine struggled to move away from Sir Killalot. The pit opened with Wheely Big Cheese going in first, followed by Prizephita MK2, and Shunt finishing off Wheelosaurus by nudging it on top of the pile.
- "Into the pit - who's gone into the pit first?! It's mayhem out there! Utter confusion! Who went in first? THEY'RE ALL IN! Ah, great stuff! Take on the House Robots? Yeah, right..."
- — Jonathan Pearce
However, the judges ruled that since Prizephita MK2 had lost drive for more than 30 seconds, Wheely Big Cheese and Wheelosaurus went through.
Qualified: Wheely Big Cheese & Wheelosaurus
Suicidal Tendencies (32) vs Killertron vs Maverick[]
- "Hard to take, but I think they [Prizephita] were definitely immobilised for too long. Next up, Maverick, Killertron and the thirty-two seeds Suicidal Tendencies."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Suicidal Tendencies slams into Killertron
Killertron is attacked from all angles
Maverick drove straight into Killertron, narrowly missing an axe blow, before Suicidal Tendencies pushed Killertron and axed it. Maverick then drove at Killertron and forced it back, until Suicidal Tendencies took over and flicked away at Killertron with its axe.
- "Little flick again of the toothpick. Comes out at a blur of speed, there!"
- — Jonathan Pearce describes Suicidal Tendencies's axe
Maverick is shoved into the CPZ by Suicidal Tendencies
Killetron axes Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies then attacked Maverick and carried it towards Matilda. Matilda brought her chainsaw into play, but caused little trouble for Maverick. Killertron swung its axe into Suicidal Tendencies, who continued to attack Maverick and carried it around again. Killertron axed Maverick, before being lifted by Suicidal Tendencies's forks. All three robots were locked together, with Refbot coming in to break it up.
- "And the pink one, at the moment, is the meat between the sandwich."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Killertron is locked between Suicidal Tendencies and Maverick
Maverick toppled by Suicidal Tendencies
Shunt penetrates through the bottom of Maverick
Killertron flailed away with its axe as Suicidal Tendencies got underneath Maverick once more and eventually toppled it over. Shunt came across to inflict damage on the beaten machine, and axed into the underbelly of Maverick.
- "Like taking the top off a boiled egg!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Shunt penetrates the bottom of Maverick
Dead Metal then sliced into it before placing it onto the floor flipper, where Maverick was flung back onto its wheels, and cease was called.
Qualified: Killertron & Suicidal Tendencies
Semi-Finals[]
Wheely Big Cheese (15) vs Killertron[]
A transition of Wheely Big Cheese's flips against Killertron
Wheely Big Cheese flips Killertron
The fight started with Killertron's front scoop stopping an initial Wheely Big Cheese attack. Wheely Big Cheese then moved towards the other end of Killertron and flipped it over.
- "That was a sensational flip from Wheely Big Cheese!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Matilda slices Killertron
Killetron burns on the Flame Pit
Shunt carried Killertron back into the centre of the arena, where Wheely Big Cheese threw Killertron back onto its wheels. Killertron then drove straight onto the flipper of Wheely Big Cheese, swung its pickaxe but it was too long and not low enough to land on Wheely Big Cheese, which resulted in Killertron being catapulted into the air, bouncing on the axe-head and onto its back.
- "Look at this - Wheely Big Cheese underneath; wahey, up and over you go!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Dead Metal slices into Killertron
Killertron flails with the axe as it is pitted
Matilda re-righted Killertron but to no avail as Wheely Big Cheese came in again and once more flung the pink bot up and over. Killertron tried to self-right with the axe, but couldn't, so the House Robots closed in. Killertron was roasted on the flame pit and then sliced by Matilda and Dead Metal. Eventually, Sir Killalot dropped Killertron in the pit, with the axe still swinging to the very end.
Winner: Wheely Big Cheese
Suicidal Tendencies (32) vs Wheelosaurus[]
Suicidal Tendencies slams Wheelosaurus against the side wall
Suicidal Tendencies torches Wheelosaurus
- "Peter, you are totally to blame for it, Peter it's your fault, Peter move the thing!"
- — Jonathan Pearce on Wheelosaurus' lack of mobility
Suicidal Tendencies straight away went for Wheelosaurus, who was not moving. With Wheelosaurus seemingly immobile, Suicidal Tendencies attacked with no worries, causing one of the spikes on the pram wheels to fall off, and then pushed Wheelosaurus to the far end of the arena, slamming it into the side wall. Suicidal Tendencies also punctured Wheelosaurus with the "toothpick" axe, resulting in Wheelosaurus spewing petrol onto the arena floor.
- "There is petrol spewing from the back of Wheelosaurus! That's the end for Peter Gibson's machine."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wheelosaurus on fire
As Wheelosaurus was leaking petrol, Suicidal Tendencies lifted and pushed it over the flame pit, setting it on fire and leaving it to burn. Wheelosaurus was then counted out shortly after, sealing the win for Suicidal Tendencies.
Winner: Suicidal Tendencies
Final[]
- "Ah. Shame to see Peter Gibson go out. He's one of the most respective roboteers here. But not strong enough to fight off Suicidal Tendencies. That's why we seed robots, look, they meet in the Heat H Final. Wheely Big Cheese, Suicidal Tendencies."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wheely Big Cheese (15) vs Suicidal Tendencies (32)[]
Suicidal Tendencies slams Wheely Big Cheese in the side wall, hitting it with their axe as it does
Dead Metal slices into Wheely Big Cheese
Before this fight, Wheely Big Cheese had some gearbox problems, but the team managed to finish the repairs in time. Suicidal Tendencies went on the attack immediately, using its axe and lifting Wheely Big Cheese, before pushing it into Dead Metal, where the House Robot attacked one of Wheely Big Cheese's wheels and caused sparks.
- "In comes Dead Metal to attack the studded wheels. Grating metal, did you hear that? Sounded painful."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wheely Big Cheese is caught by Suicidal Tendencies
Wheely Big Cheese is flipped by Suicidal Tendencies who become immobile on one side
Wheely Big Cheese fired its flipper to help itself escape, but Suicidal Tendencies continued to attack, holding Wheely Big Cheese by one of its wheels before getting underneath Wheely Big Cheese's front and flicking it up. Unable to get under Suicidal Tendencies's low ground clearance, Wheely Big Cheese decided to reverse into Suicidal Tendencies, but got hooked by a wheel again.
Wheely Big Cheese almost pits itself trying to pit the immobile Suicidal Tendencies
The controversial end
- "There's been good aggression all the way through from Suicidal Tendencies"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wheely Big Cheese wriggled free and Suicidal Tendencies's left track then locked up, which left it floundering by the pit, going round in circles. The pit opened, and Wheely Big Cheese tried to force Suicidal Tendencies down, but on two occasions nearly went in itself.
- "That is brinkmanship to the extreme! They are dancing with death out there, the two of them."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wheely Big Cheese tried one more time to finish Suicidal Tendencies off, but this time went into the pit. The Suicidal Tendencies team thought they had won, but the judges took the controversial view that Suicidal Tendencies had been immobilised and Wheely Big Cheese won instead.
- "And the judge says that Suicidal Tendencies' track wasn't working for a long time during that fight. So he didn't have control. So the judges have gone... for Wheely Big Cheese!"
- — Craig Charles
Heat Winner: Wheely Big Cheese
- "If there's one thing that your television license ensures, It's robot mayhem, it's Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trials[]
Matilda blocks the target
Shunt disposes of Bigger Brother
Shunt disposes of Thermidor 2
During the Fourth Wars, alongside the main competition, a Pinball Warrior Tournament and Sumo Basho Competition were also held. Unlike the similar competitions of the Third Wars, these trials featured successful qualifiers for Series 4. In between the first and second rounds of each heat, a Pinball run took place, and two sumo attempts took place in between Round 2 and the Heat Final in each of the first eight heats. For Heat H, the Pinball featured S.M.I.D.S.Y. and the Sumo featured Bigger Brother and Thermidor 2.
Pinball Warrior Tournament - S.M.I.D.S.Y.[]
Score: 70 points
Sumo Basho[]
- Bigger Brother - 6.43 seconds
- Thermidor 2 - 5.03 seconds
Trivia[]
- Heat H was one of very few heat finals in Series 4 to feature both seeds.
- This Heat also featured the return of two robots who had not appeared since the Second Wars, Killertron and Wheelosaurus.
- The first melee was the only battle to feature more than two heavyweights in Robot Wars where every competitor robot ended up in the pit.
- Wheely Big Cheese was involved in two controversial decisions in this heat where it drove into the pit.
- Twice in the heat, Killertron was said to have finished third in Series 2, when in fact it finished fourth. The third place playoff from that year in which it lost to Roadblock was even shown, but Jonathan Pearce mistakenly said that this was when Killertron was eliminated from the competition.
- For some reason, the bottom seed Suicidal Tendencies was featured in this heat in place of Centurion.
- Before the first heat semi-final, Richard Broad of Killertron referred to Wheely Big Cheese as its predecessor, The Big Cheese.
- This was one of two heats of Series 4 where both robots in the heat final lost at that stage in Series 3, the other being Heat N.
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