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Not to be confused with Stinger

"...a cross between a bullet-proof Armadillo and a Scorpion"
— The Ashby Mail describes Sting[1]

Sting was a heavyweight robot which was entered in Series 2 and Series 3 of Robot Wars. In Series 2, it was eliminated at the Trial stage after losing mobility and finishing fifth in Football; in Series 3, where it competed as Sting 2, it was eliminated in the first round after being pushed into the pit by Diotoir.

Versions of Sting[]

Sting[]

"It may look like a concertina stepladder on wheels, but the Barker boys hope to climb to the robot stars with this steel and aluminium, 2-wheel drive, 24 Volt-powered machine, with its front and side ramming spikes, and that nasty-looking sting in the tail!"
— Jonathan Pearce introduces Sting
Sting

Sting from behind

Sting was a curved wedge-shape robot, powered by a two-wheel drive system. The robot was armed with EN24 steel ramming spikes, four on the front and one on each side, and a unique whipping tail weapon on the rear. The weapon was modelled after Matthew Barker's kink-tailed cat Chloe, consisting of an articulated tail built from steel plate and box section with spikes on the sections, powered by a 12V DC motor. The robot was built around a steel ladder chassis, and was armoured in 7mm thick mild steel, double-skinned in several places. There was an independently-sprung traction control box just behind the front ramming spikes, which was fully floating to absorb impacts during combat.

The robot's shell was made of 0.7mm thick MIG welded box section mild steel, with an aluminium baseplate, and the chassis was constructed from 19mm thick mild steel with aluminium upper bracing elements. Two go-kart motors powered Sting's drive system[2], and it used two 12 V batteries for power, which gave the robot a top speed of 12mph. The robot had variable torque and speed depending on the gearing. The robot had go-kart wheels, and the axles could be adjusted to give a variable ground clearance[3], between 1cm to 40 cm. The robot was built over four months[4].

Sting 2[]

"She's got a bigger tail, a more powerful weapon, completely different motor set-up, and new body style. But flames, we have no fear!"
— Dave Barker introduces Sting 2
Sting2

Sting 2 in the arena

After Series 2, the team decided that they needed to improve Sting's power, enhance the traction, and reduce the weight of the armour[5]. The robot was rebuilt over three months and renamed Sting 2 for the third series. It had a bigger shell, a new body design, more powerful motors and stronger weapons, including carbide tips on the spikes. Although the shell was larger, to save weight it was now more skeletal, with the internals protected by Hainsworth Nomex cloth, the flame-proof material used for Formula 1 drivers' suits. The robot now used an electro mechanical speed controller interface and a Penny and Giles speed controller rated at 24 Volts, an improvement over the 12 Volt speed control circuits on the original, giving more power and speed[6]. The weapon was improved, being longer and with a heavier tip. At 79.7kg, Sting 2 marginally weighed over the original heavyweight limit.

The Team[]

1LawTeamS2

The team in Series 2

1LawTeamSting2

The team in Series 3

Main article: 1 Law Associates

Sting was entered by the 1 Law Associates, a team from Derbyshire, captained by Dave Barker. Sting was built by Dave, Ian Pritchard and Pete Allsop, along with their electrics expert, referred to as "Vic" on the team's website[7]. In Series 2, the team consisted of Dave, Ian and Dave' Barker's young son Matthew, and in Series 3, Pete Allsop took Matthew Barker's place. This line-up would remain when they entered their next robot, S3.

Qualification[]

"Our initial aims with both Sting and Sting 2 were simple enough. To build a robot which would qualify for the program and thereafter to do the best we could. This was an achievement in its own right, with several thousand applicants to beat."
— 1 Law Associates website[8]

Sting was chosen to compete in Series 2, despite not being finished when it attended the auditions.

"The original Sting didn't even have a fully functioning weapon and no bodywork at all when she was selected!"
— 1 Law Associates website

Sting 2 attended the auditions for Series 3 on 30 May 1999, and qualified after performing well in the driving test.

"The driving was much tougher than last year with a set course having to be negotiated including scoring a goal and a see-saw ramp. We are pleased to announce that she performed impeccably and came through with flying colours. ... Next steps are to work on our tail modifications and finish off the shell."
— 1 Law Associates website on the Series 3 auditions[9]

Despite initial plans to re-enter Sting 2 into Series 4, the team decided not to enter until they built a new robot.

"If we enter again it is most likely to be with a modified Sting rather than an all new robot due to time constraints. Would we be accepted? ( 900 applicants last year ) Would our marriages stand it ( similar number of arguments !) ... The decision was made to not enter the wars again until we had a reliable machine that had the ability to go all the way...it took two years..."
— 1 Law Associates website on the decision not to enter Series 4[10]

Robot History[]

Series 2[]

Matthew Barker: "I've got a cat at home called Chloe, and she's got a deformed tail that curls round."
Dave Barker: "And that's where we got the idea from! We couldn't bring her with us of course."
— The team explain the inspiration behind the weapon

Sting competed in Heat H, where it initially ran The Gauntlet.

StingGauntletPastSentinelDeadMetalBlocks

Sting get past The Sentinel, but Dead Metal blocks its path

Stinggauntlet

Sting receives damage from Dead Metal

Taking the Sentinel route, it made a turn for the left. As it turned around to drive down the lane, it drove into a pyramid. Sting reversed, then drove past the pyramid, before stopping by the pit to wait until The Sentinel swung over. When it did, Sting drove forwards. The Sentinel swung back around, but missed Sting. However, Sting then found the way blocked by Dead Metal.

"Well timed, there's Dead Metal though, waiting!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Sting gets past the Sentinel, but is blocked by Dead Metal
SentinelandDeadMetalpushStingintopit

The Sentinel helps Dead Metal push Sting into pit

With Dead Metal waiting by the pit, Sting could not drive around, and Dead Metal went after it. Sting tried reversing, but Dead Metal pushed it against The Sentinel's base, then grabbed it with his pincers, also bringing his saw down onto the top. Sting struggled against Dead Metal, but the House Robot would not let go. The two pushed against each other, until The Sentinel swung over, pushing Sting towards the pit. This allowed Dead Metal to fully shove it in. The team would later claim this to be the most heart-stopping moment in the entire series. However, they had still covered 10.5 metres, more than enough progress to go through to the next round, ultimately finishing in third place.

Philippa Forrester: "What's your job on the team?"
Matthew Barker: "Tactician."
Philippa Forrester: "Right, and what does that mean?"
Matthew Barker: "Working out tactics."
Philippa Forrester: "So, did you work out that you should end up in the pit, or was that not part of your tactics?"
Matthew Barker: "That was not part of my tactics!"
— Post-Gauntlet interview

Sting went through to the Trial stage, which in this Heat was Football. The robot had two large spikes added to the front to try and control the ball.

CassiusgetstoballbeforeSting

Sting tries to get to the ball, but Cassius gets to it first

In the first Round, Sting tried to get to the ball, but Cassius was quicker and got to it first, pushing the ball towards the goal, but was blocked by Matilda. As Matilda blocked Cassius, Sting held back, reversing away from the action by the goal. Loco snuck around Cassius as Matilda held it up with her tusks, and pushed the ball in to score the first goal.

StingImmobileFootballRound2

Sting lies immobile in Round 2 of the Football Trial

In Round 2, Sting failed to start, so it could not get to the ball at all. Cassius briefly reversed into it whilst pushing the ball away from Wizard, and Matilda also reversed into it whilst chasing after Cassius, but otherwise Sting did not move at all in the round. Cassius scored the second goal to go through.

MatildapushesStingFootball

Matilda pushes the immobile Sting

In Round 3, Sting failed to start again. Matilda came over and pushed it against the top fence, then used her tusks to lift Sting up and drag it around. Wizard also broke down, and though GroundHog managed to get to the ball and hit it away, Matilda dragged it over to Sergeant Bash.

"Matilda, in on Sting. Sting actually... looks to have some sort of a problem there. There's Matilda coming in, they don't seem to be able to get away from the prongs!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Matilda lifts the immobile Sting

Sergeant Bash did not attack Sting, ignoring it to set the ball on fire. Meanwhile, Wizard had broken down, and it was attacked by the House Robots. GroundHog was barely moving, mostly just spinning around on the spot, and although it did manage a couple of touches of the ball, Matilda pushed it to the side of the Football arena with her raised tusks, then tipped GroundHog onto its side.

"Sting actually is completely immobilised! Wizard, taking punishment from the House Robots. GroundHog still moving, Wizard's still moving as well. Sting has completely stopped."
— Jonathan Pearce as the three remaining competitors struggle to move

As neither of the three competitors had scored, the Judges were called on to make a decision, and as Sting had been immobile for longer than the rest it was eliminated.

Craig Charles: "What happened to your robot?"
Ian Pritchard: "Powerboard went, one of the switches has gone, and it's only like a 50 pence item."
Craig Charles: "Only a 50 pence switch has burnt and it's all gone pants for you!"
Dave Barker: "Craig, you know when you're at school and there's always a last boy to be picked at football? You're looking at him!"
— Post-Trial interview

Series 3[]

"...will Sting "Police" this Heat, or will they be jailed once again by the House Robots like last time around?"
— Jonathan Pearce references the singer Sting

Appearing in Heat O, Sting 2 faced Diotoir, the successor to Nemesis, in the first round.

Diotoir vs Sting

Sting rips away Diotoir's smile

At the start of the match, the two robots drove at each other, meeting in the centre of the arena. Diotoir tried to get its flipper under the side of Sting 2, and Sting 2 turned and reversed to Diotoir's side, causing Diotoir to miss with its flipping arm. Sting 2 tried to get away from Diotoir, but Diotoir followed, keeping close behind. Diotoir tried to uses its rear whipping tail, but it had no effect. Sting 2 turned, and Diotoir pushed against Sting 2's side. Sting 2 tried to reverse, and Diotoir reversed a little, allowing Sting 2 to reverse. Diotoir turned back and forth, whilst Sting 2 turned around and started driving up the arena. As Sting 2 past Sgt. Bash's CPZ, Diotoir drove after it. Sting 2 turned around, and Diotoir got at its side. Diotoir tried to get its flipping arm under Sting 2's side, but merely got it in the side armour. Diotoir fired the flipper, lifting Sting 2 up a little, but it slipped and fell back down.

"There's Diotoir, just nudging, with Sting 2 trying to flick Diotoir away. It's a little bit nervy and tentative."
— Jonathan Pearce as Diotoir pushes Sting 2 towards the wall
Diotoir vs sting

Diotoir uses its lifter to pin Sting 2 down

Diotoir pits sting

Diotoir takes the sting out of Sting 2's tail

Sting 2 tried to push Diotoir, but couldn't get an advantage, so reversed. Diotoir drove straight at it, pushing it. Sting 2 reversed a little, but Diotoir quickly caught up with it, pushing against it. Sting 2 tried to turn away, but Diotoir drove into its side, pushing it towards the side wall. Diotoir pulled the flipper down, pinning Sting 2 down, but the springs popped back up, so Diotoir reversed. Sting 2 drove at Diotoir with its front spikes, but Diotoir reversed. Sting 2 drove at it, but Diotoir drove at its side and pushed it up the arena to the edge of Sgt. Bash's CPZ. Diotoir reversed, which allowed Sting 2 to turn away from the CPZ. Diotoir got at its side and pushed, but Sting 2 turned to face Diotoir, and as Diotoir turned away, Sting 2 turned to use its tail. Diotoir got behind Sting 2, and started pushing it down the arena, using its flipper (which was in the up position) to hold Sting 2 still. Diotoir pushed Sting 2 down the arena, and forced it into the pit.

Pete Allsop: "I'd just like to congratulate the other team, because I'll be the very first to buy the beers, 'cause they worked so hard to get it running. Even though we've been standing about here doing nothing, they've been..."
Philippa Forrester: "They have had a nightmare, haven't they? And that's why I'm really pleased!"
Dave Barker: "They deserved to win, they really did!"
— The 1 Law Associates team, magnanimous in defeat due to Team Nemesis' struggles after the robot was taken apart in customs

Sting 2 was therefore eliminated, and this was its last appearance before replaced by S3.

"This was mainly due to lack of control. A fail safe check carried out just prior to the battle highlighted a glitch which the technical crew were not happy about. With only minutes to go we were forced to make rapid adjustments to the control gear to try and rectify the problem. The fail safe was corrected - but at the expence we later found out, of control."
— 1 Law Associates website on their Series 3 defeat[11]

Results[]

STING - RESULTS
Series 2
The Second Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Trial
Heat H, Gauntlet 10.5 m (3rd) Qualified
Heat H, Trial (Football) Immobile (5th) Eliminated
STING 2 - RESULTS
Series 3
The Third Wars - UK Championship
Heat, Round 1
Heat O, Round 1 vs. Diotoir Lost

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 0
  • Losses: 1

NOTE: Sting's Gauntlet and Trial runs are not included

Series Record[]

Main Series Sting Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Heat, Trial
The Third Wars Heat, Round 1
The Fourth Wars Did not enter
The Fifth Wars Entered with S3
The Sixth Wars Entered with S3
The Seventh Wars Did not enter
Series 8 Did not enter
Series 9 Did not enter
Series 10 Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme Appearances
Series 1 Did not enter
Series 2 Entered with S3

Gallery[]

Outside Robot Wars[]

Sting2now

Sting 2 on display at Enginuity

20211210 153913

Sting 2 under the ownership of Team Shock in December 2021

After its retirement, Sting 2 was kept by the team, although they no longer competed with it. The team would bring Sting 2 to events for display purposes only. Sting 2 was later given on loan to the Enginuity museum in Coalbrookdale, which is part of The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, along with S3. Sting 2 was on display at the museum for several years until 2021, when it was acquired by Will Thomas of Team Shock in December, who has stated that he will be using it for teaching aids.[12]

Trivia[]

  • On an agenda distributed to The Steering Committee, Sting was listed as a provisional seed for Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars. However, Sting ultimately did not compete in the series, nor is it known to have attempted qualification. Sting's lack of a combat win suggests that this listing may have been an error, particularly as Stinger went on to be the 30th seed in Series 4, and Stinger was not listed as a provisional seed on the agenda[13].
  • Both of Sting's appearances were in the same Heat as both of Graham Bone and Alex Mordue's machines GroundHog and Firestorm, the latter of whom the team would later fight twice with S3.
  • In Episode 8 of Robot Wars Revealed, which covered Heat H of Series 2, clips from the team's video diary were shown, showing the construction and testing of the robot, a clip of Chloe, the family's cat that inspired the weapon, explaining the concept behind the weapon and the testing it, and packing up to go home after being eliminated whilst vowing to return in the next series[14].
  • According to Dave Barker in a clip only shown in Robot Wars Revealed, Episode 8, the team were hoping to fight a battle with Rampage, due to their team being from Derbyshire. However, this never happened, as Rampage was eliminated at the Gauntlet stage.
"We understand they're from Derby, and we're from Leicester. Leicester and Derby, particularly football clubs, do not get on at all, so we'd like to be up against them in the final!"
— Dave Barker in Robot Wars Revealed
"David Barker of the Sting team remembered that he had booked a holiday in Wales, during which the team were struggling to replace the robot's sheared drive gear. At one point, David found himself talking on a mobile phone to team-mate Ian Pritchard about getting hold of a replacement gear for their robot... from the top of Mount Snowdon!"
— Robot Wars: Technical Manual
"It now looks as if we will not be in a tag match with this team [The Guv'nor] unfortunately as the selections have now all been made. We have thrown down the gauntlet to them however for a post Robot Wars rematch"
— The 1 Law Associates website on the Tag Team

References[]

External Links[]

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