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"And the teenage team mean to wreak just that..."
Jonathan Pearce introduces Havoc

Havoc was a heavyweight robot which solely competed in Series 2 of Robot Wars. After making steady progress in its Heat, it eventually lost to Haardvark in the Heat Final stage after being turned onto its side by Shunt.

Design[]

Havoc mace

Havoc, with its mace weapon

Havoc was a black, white and red, box wedge-shaped robot with two-wheel drive, a coated steel/polyurethane chassis and three interchangeable weapons. These were a swinging spiked zinc-steel mace, a small flipping/lifting arm and a battering ram, all powered by a windscreen wiper motor sourced from a Lancia car jack. The lifting arm could lift 70kg[1], and the mace was cast by Phillip Robinson in his foundry[2], being made from zinc with steel spikes. Havoc also featured a set of steel spikes at the rear for extra armament, while its front panels were made out of T6-grade aircraft aluminium, and its chassis was 2mm/3mm thick sheet steel[3].

"All the batteries used in havoc this year were Yuasa (note to self: get sponsorship next year). We found a nice supplier that gave us them for practically half price which allowed us to get some spares as well. For drive we used either 1 12V 17Ah or one of two 12V 15Ah batteries. Due to the way our motors were wired we had to have another smaller battery for each. Here we used 12V 7Ah, we had, I think 6 of these. We also used one of these to power our pathetic little, ahem, 'weapon'."
— The Havoc website on the batteries[4]
Havoc

Havoc, with its lifter

Driven by two 12 Volt Yuasa batteries, Havoc had 12 Volt motors and gearboxes, which were taken from a 1962 ATCO lawnmower[5]. It proved reasonably powerful by Series 2 standards, with a top speed of 6mph, although it featured a high ground clearance of 50mm and lacked a self-righting mechanism. The R/C Gear was 40 MHz, Sanwa Gemini for the weapons, and Futaba for the weapon control.

"the main things of interest are the 2*12V ATCO lawnmower motors which go through a 20:1 gear ratio before driving the pneumatic tyres. The speed controllers were FET based but driven off microswitches."
Oliver Steeples on Havoc[6]

The robot was built at a cost of just £50 to the Team, as most of the parts were donated[7], and David Gerrard contributed a lot of money for the project. It took the team a month to find the motors, and then 2 months to build the robot, working evenings and weekends.

The Team[]

"We first saw the US robot wars on a kid's technology program called 'It'll Never Work'. It then said that a new UK show would be aired later that year. We made a note in our diaries and nothing was said....until the first show. After watching the very first program we were inspired. We immediately rushed to each other's houses. We met along the way and said together "We've got to build a robot!""
— The Havoc team on deciding to enter Robot Wars[8]
HavocTeamRWR

The team with Havoc, on Robot Wars Revealed

Havoc was entered into the Second Wars by a Burnley-based team, led by teenagers Kevin Shirtcliffe and John Robinson. The two of them both went to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School together and both had a hobby in racing remote controlled cars. The team started designing the robot in February 1998 whilst watching The First Wars. The two teenagers built the robot together, but due to the need to have a member over the age of 18, John Robinson's father Phillip joined the team for the show. John Robinson did the electronics for the robot[9], and painted the bodywork[10].

"Although the lads were seen on the show with John's dad Philip, the robot was all their own work with spare pieces of metal and help provided by neighbours and friends."
— The Lancashire Telegraph on the Havoc team[11]

The team were also helped by a number of other people, including David Gerrad, who contributed a lot money for the project and helped to build the frame, and James Hindle, who helped to build the bodywork[12].

The team also entered Series 3 with Undertaker, without as much success. They later attempted to enter Series 4 with their new robot Cannibal, but failed to qualify for the main competition.

Qualification[]

"When the robot was almost complete and weighed, it was considerably over the weight limit, so approximately one-third of it had to be sawn off!"
— Phillip Robinson on Robot Wars Revealed[13]

Havoc attended the Series 2 rehearsals fully complete with its lifter attached[14]. When it came to the driving test, the robot initially failed to start. The team managed to quickly fix this by sorting out the battery connectors, and did well on the driving test, apart from when the robot became stuck when trying to cross the see-saw.

"Now for the driving. That went surprisingly well, we pushed the ball around, showed off our manouevrability then attempted the ramp. We got stuck half way up. We had the power, the control but no damn grip! We just wheel spun. So we reversed it back off the ramp and had a go at the skittles. Took one row out. spun and took the rest out, bending one right in half!"
— Havoc website on the Series 2 rehearsals[15]

It was successful in qualifying for the series.

Robot History[]

Series 2[]

"So, it's go for youngsters Kevin Shirtcliffe and John Robinson... ooh no. It's – no! No go! What's gone wrong here?"
— Jonathan Pearce as Havoc fails to start its initial Gauntlet run
Havoc Gauntlet problem

Havoc's top and front panels are removed to resolve a last-minute wiring issue, in a clip only shown in Robot Wars Revealed

Havoc competed in Heat L, and was the fourth robot in that heat to attempt The Gauntlet. However, it immediately encountered problems, failing to start its initial run after 'activate' was called, as only one of the two motors was working and was taken back to the Pits for the team to investigate its issues and make repairs. With the cause of its non-start being identified as a dislodged wire, Havoc was repaired in time to make a second Gauntlet run.

"I can tell you, they were just inside the time allowed to get those repairs completed!"
— Jonathan Pearce at the start of Havoc's Gauntlet run
Havocgauntlet

Havoc is blocked towards the end of its Gauntlet run

It began by driving forwards, and appeared to be aiming for the middle route, but it stopped and turned, and slowly towards the left-hand route. As it reached the left-hand route, it turned too early, and turned into the fence. It reversed, turned, then made a second attempt to drive down the left-hand route. It drove around the arena spike, but stopped short of The Sentinel, and reversed as The Sentinel's spiked club turned around, waiting until the way was clear.

"...this is a little bit sluggish, you've got to be nippy here to get beyond The Sentinel. You've got to time it right to make sure that Dead Metal dosen't have time to come in and close!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Havoc waits for the right moment to get past The Sentinel

However, as Havoc tried to drive past The Sentinel, Dead Metal charged up the route, driving by The Sentinel, blocking Havoc's way. Havoc tried to drive around Dead Metal and get behind The Sentinel's spiked club. , but Dead Metal was too fast for it, blocking the way and hitting Havoc with one of his grabbing arms.

"Ooh, let's play Dodgems, boys! Knocked straight back!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal intercepts Havoc

As Dead Metal hit it, Havoc quickly turned away and drove back for another attempt. Havoc turned around, and tried driving down the route again, but drove into one of The Sentinel's spikes. Havoc reversed, then drove around The Sentinel's spiked club. However, Dead Metal was waiting by The Sentinel, and it blocked Havoc as it tried to pass, pinning it against The Sentinel and blocking it with one of his grabbing arms. In the last few seconds, Havoc tried to push past Dead Metal, but couldn't get free, so it reversed a little and tried again, but couldn't get past. Dead Metal had broken down so could not attack with his saw, but Haardvark couldn't push past the House Robot[16]. As Sir Killalot closed in behind it, Havoc turned and tried pushing straight at Dead Metal, but couldn't force him back and time ran out.

"Actually, it looks as if Dead Metal's circular saw is also out of action there, look! Because it's not coming in to test the power of that coated steel-polyurethane chassis! They were a little bit lucky there, I think!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Havoc's Gauntlet run comes to an end

Havoc had covered a distance of 8.2m by the end of its run, guaranteeing it a place in The Trial stage, as it had beaten Tender Caress' distance of 5.0m. Havoc ultimately finished third in the results table, and to qualify for the Trial stage.

Philippa Forrester: "Is it terrifying?"
John Robinson: "It's very terrifying, yeah! It's very hot as well, you feel yourself sweating as you're standing there, and being scared stiff dosen't help either!"
— Post-Gauntlet interview

In the Sumo trial, the ram-equipped Havoc was the fourth competitor to face Dead Metal in the ring. To give Havoc extra grip, the team attached spikes to the bottom of Havoc's lifter to dig in the platform[17].

HavocS2Sumo

Havoc is pushed off the Sumo ring

It began by turning, and driving around Dead Metal to dodge his initial charge. However, in doing so, it drove close to the edge of the ring, and though it stopped itself before it could drive over the edge, Dead Metal turned around and pushed it so its front wheels were hanging over the edge of the platform.

"Ooh, have they steered just too far wide on the Sumo ring?"
— Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal pushes Havoc so its wheels are hanging off the edge of the platform

The Havoc team put the robot in full reverse to try and hold on to the platform[18], and Dead Metal brought his saw down onto the top of Havoc a couple of times, before reversing for a final push. Dead Metal then pushed Havoc off of the platform, and it fell onto the tires, with the back corner still touching the platform. Dead Metal reversed and gave it one big push to get it completely off the platform, though in doing so, he drove over the edge of the platform, leaving his front suspend on top of Havoc.

"They've done enough, they're through! Edged out in the end, but it was that initial burst and dodge that takes them through!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Havoc is pushed out

Havoc had lasted 14.15 seconds as a result, ensuring its progress to The Arena stage, as it had beaten Tender Caress' time of 6.03 seconds. Havoc ultimately finished third on the leaderboard for the second time.

In its Semi-Final, Havoc faced fellow newcomer Flirty Skirty, now equipped with the flipping arm.

"So it's the Peter family, with Flirty Skirty, in the yellow-and-black chevrons, against the teenagers Kevin and John and the Havoc boys, with that red front lifting ram, against the skirts of Flirty Skirty."
— Jonathan Pearce at the start of the battle
HavocandFlirtySkirtylockhorns

Flirty Skirty lifts Havoc as Havoc pushes it

Havoc had the quicker start, charging up the arena at its opponent, which sluggishly moved forwards. Havoc slammed into Flirty Skirty's front, avoiding the spike. Flirty Skirty turned, bending the spike on Havoc's side. Havoc reversed for another charge, and Flirty Skirty drove forwards. Havoc drove around to Flirty Skirty's front, getting its lifting arm under Flirty Skirty's frame. Flirty Skirty's spike was just slightly too high to hit Havoc's wedge front. Havoc pushed, but Flirty Skirty was able to use its lifting skirt to lift Havoc's front off the ground. Havoc tried reversing, but its flipping arm caught on the skirt, preventing it from getting away.

"A little bit of a dance early on."
— Jonathan Pearce as Flirty Skirty gets under Havoc
HavocpushesFlirtySkirtyintoPPZ

Havoc pushes Flirty Skirty into the PPZ

Flirty Skirty pushed Havoc, but Havoc pushed back and soon got an advantage. Havoc pushed Flirty Skirty into the PPZ, then retreated to the middle of the arena as Sir Killalot attacked. Havoc held back as Sir Killalot pinned Flirty Skirty in the corner, got his lance under the armour shell, and lifted the robot, removing the armour shell, and dragged it to the flame pit. Time ran out, and despite the damage to Flirty Skirty, both competitors had survived to a Judges' decision. The decision went in favour of Havoc, allowing it to progress to the Heat Final.

Craig Charles: "How did that go for you then?"
John Robinson: "It was a bit boring really! I didn't want to go anywhere near the House Robots, 'cause we don't want our lovely paintwork scratching, do we Kev?"
Craig Charles: "Anyway, you're through to the next fight, if you win that you're through to the series Semi-Finals! Are you feeling confident?"
Kevin Shirtcliffe: "As confident as you can be for a robot costing 50 quid!"
— Post-battle interview

There, it fought Haardvark, and the team exchanged its flipping arm in favour of the mace.

HaardvarkRamsHavocIntoShunt

Haardvark pushes Havoc into Shunt

At the start of the battle, both competitors charged towards the middle of the arena, but as Havoc drove towards Haardvark, it swerved to avoid its opponent's charge, then drove around Haardvark as it tried ramming into the side. Haardvark turned, and Havoc reversed and turned to face Haardvark, and Haardvark rammed into Havoc's front. Haardvark tried to push Havoc towards the pit, but Havoc turned to get side-on to Haardvark. Haardvark stopped pushing, and Havoc drove away towards the PPZ. As Havoc turned and drove up the arena, Haardvark reversed. Havoc began spinning on the spot to try and attack with its mace, but Haardvark rammed into it as it span, hitting the side and stopping its spinning, the mace having no effect. Haardvark drove past Havoc, then turned around to get side on as Havoc drove after it. Haardvark pushed Havoc down the arena, close to the pit, but Havoc reversed, swerving away from the pit. Havoc reversed close to the flame pit, then stopped before it drove onto the flames. It tried to drive away, but its way was blocked by Sir Killalot's lance. Havoc reversed, backing onto the flames, turned to avoid the lance, then drove away from the flames.

"John Robinson's hobby, the 15-year old, is to build go-karts. Nice manoeuvrability there to get away from the flame pit!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Havoc vs Haardvark

Havoc after being overturned in the PPZ

Haardvark drove up the arena, driving to the opposite side of the arena to Havoc, and as Havoc and drove up the arena, Haardvark charged in to block its path. However, as it did so, it drove into the PPZ, and Matilda got her tusks under the back and lifted it up. Havoc got away from the PPZ, waiting at the bottom half of the arena. Matilda soon reversed, dropping Haardvark, and Haardvark escaped the PPZ and drove up the arena. It turned and charged at Havoc, which tried to swerve away to avoid it, but Haardvark rammed into the side. Haardvark got around to the back of Havoc, which tried turning away, but Haardvark pushed against its side. Haardvark tried to push Havoc into Dead Metal, but Havoc turned away, getting side-on to Haardvark. Shunt drove up the arena, along the edge of the PPZ, and as Havoc tried to get away, Haardvark reversed to block it, and pushed it against Shunt. Haardvark turned away as Shunt reversed away from Havoc, then rammed into the back of Havoc, pushing it into Shunt in the PPZ. Shunt hit Havoc with his axe and lifted it up with his scoop, then pushed it against the wall, before turning it onto its side.

"Havoc being shoved towards the PPZ, in comes Shunt! One and two slams with the pick-axe, and up and on one side goes Havoc! Immobilised, Haardvark are the winners!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Haardvark pushes Havoc into the PPZ, then Shunt turns it on its side

This left Havoc stranded on its side and unable to self-right, as it had no srimech. 'Cease' was called, and Havoc was eliminated from the Second Wars.

Results[]

HAVOC - RESULTS
Series 2
The Second Wars - UK Championship
Heat Final
Heat L, Gauntlet 10.3m (3rd) Qualified
Heat L, Trial (Sumo) 14.15s (3rd) Qualified
Heat L, Semi-Final vs. Flirty Skirty Won
Heat L, Final vs. Haardvark Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 1
  • Losses: 1

NOTE: Havoc's successful Gauntlet and Trial runs are not included

Series Record[]

Series Havoc Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Heat Final
The Third Wars Entered with Undertaker
The Fourth Wars Failed to qualify with Cannibal
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

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Just one day before the team travelled to London for the filming, the team were testing Havoc when one of the motors started smoking. This was fixed, only for one of the tyres to get a puncture. A clip of this was included in Robot Wars Revealed.
"Disaster today! Havoc was going through a final test when one of the motors started smoking. We had stalled it because one of the wheels locked. We left it for a while and luckily it still worked. Next we ran it again where we encountered our second problem.....A puncture. We had a look at the inner tube and the valve had been ripped clean off. With no spare things were now looking grim. With a lot of ringing around John finally secured a pair of identical wheels. It took us until 10.00pm to fit these as the whole robot has to come apart."
— The Diary on the Havoc website[19]
"Many roboteers get carried away and build very complicated machines, so if anything goes wrong, which it invariably does, finding the problem can be a complete nightmare! Not so with Havoc - their 1963 lawnmower motors may be old, but they're also reliable and very easily fixed."
— Philippa Forrester over the clip of Havoc's motors burning out, then quickly being fixed
  • Havoc had a large battery isolator switch, which all the current flowed through, which Mat Irvine complained about.
"Matt Irvine for some reason was not too happy with this idea he wanted a switch that isolated the receiver as well. This is completely pointless as our robot cannot actually move if the drive is turned off (surprisingly), but rules are rules and you'll be seeing a second, RECEIVER isolating switch next year."
— The Havoc website on the isolator switch[20]
  • During the filming of Series 2, the boys persuaded Craig Charles to sign Havoc's bodywork[21].

References[]

External Links[]

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