The third episode of the metal-mashing, chrome-clashing, steel-smashing show has just hit our screens. But no further preamble:
LET THE WARS BEGINS
Group battle 1 Bucky the Robot vs Tracktion vs Rapid
Bucky the Robot was a curious machine. Described as a biter, it had a doubled-sided axe blade that could swing from side to side. They had an even more curious mascot. Tracktion was the youngest team in the competition, controlled by a group of school children aged 12 and 13. Their robot ran on caterpillar tracks and was armed with a crusher.
Finally, we had Rapid, which cost £25,000 to build. It was armed with a flipper and their team captain who ran a development company and was prepared to hire anyone who could beat them.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
This battle began slowly with the various robots dancing around each other. And then the Fog of War was activated and things changed very quickly. Tracktion became confused and was toppled by the arena spikes. Rapid took this opportunity to fling them from the arena.
The Traction team took their defeat with grace, which was nice to see. Sometimes children cry when their machines are beaten, but not this time.
Meanwhile, I think Rapid lost a lot of power after flipping out Tracktion. They hoisted plenty of opportunities to flip Bucky, when they did get flips in, they were powerful. There were times when Bucky was wedged against the arena wall or were flipped into Matilda. Whatever way you look at it, Bucky was definitely on the defensive and they lost on a judge's decision. Rapid were the winners.
Group Battle 2 Apex vs Vulture vs Terrorhurtz
Apex had the biggest bar spinner in the competition at 39KG. They were facing Vulture who had a vertical spinning disc and were competing to prove you didn't need to be an engineer to win Robot Wars. I guess they're forgetting that Apollo was holiday camp performers, but never mind. Their final opponent is veteran of the original series: Terrorhurtz.
Terrorhurtz came 4th in the 6th wars and has won subsequent, untelevised competitions. They are armed with a double-headed axe.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
The Apex team used to be the Foxic team aka one of the worse robots to ever perform. It should then come as no surprise to learn that just after one hit, their mighty weapon broke down. Knowing they were in trouble, they activated the Fog of War to no great effect. Meanwhile, Terrorhurtz were having their own private war with Vulture.
A war that Terrorhurtz dominated. They chopped and sliced into Vulture. And once they had a grip, they didn't let go, Terrorhurtz tactically held Vulture over the arena flame pit, leading to their weapon and drive system. This was great control by John Reid in the Terrorhurtz team.
After this, Terrorhurtz turned their attention to the toothless Apex. It wasn't long before Apex were immobilised too. Terrorhurtz were through to round two.
Robot Redemption 1 Apex vs Tracktion
Time for the first loser's melee to see which robot will join Terrorhurtz and Rapid in the next round. Courtesy of the Vulture team, Tracktion began this fight with a pushing wedge, designed to deflect Apex's spinning bar, which as we quickly learnt was too powerful for its own good.
Apex got in some good hits on Tracktion, beefore their spinning bar hit the ground and came flying off. A 40kg piece of metal was sent flying across the arena, shattering a pane of bulletproof carbonate, designed to protect the audience.
The fight was stopped for safety reasons, but Tracktion were the clear winners.
Robot Redemption 2 Vulture vs Bucky the Robot
This was a close-fought battle. Vulture didn't have the best control, repeatedly driving onto the floor flipper.
They then drove into Bucky's grasp who pushed them into Dead Metal and then Vulture's weapon broke down. Knowing they were on the ropes, Vulture depressed the pit button, but then bad driving saw Bucky being toppled by the arena spikes. They couldn't self-right and their Robot Wars journey ended there. But Vulture were through to the next round.
Round 2 Battle 1 Tracktion vs Rapid
If ever there was a battle, which epitomised "Blink you'll miss it," it was this fight.
Rapid knew that their CO2, compressed gas used to fire their flipper, was leaking, so they needed to get this fight over quickly.
And that's what they did. One drive, one flip and Tracktion were thrown from the arena. This all happened in six seconds, making it the shortest fight ever.
Round 2 Battle 2 Terrorhurtz vs Vulture
While Vulture's spinning disc spun at 6000RPM, Terrorhurtz was armoured with high-angled steel and polycarbonate designed to absorb kinetic energy. This meant that Vulture didn't stand a chance. Terrorhurtz just battered them. They took out their armour, their armour and the wheels, and eventually the robot itself.
Vulture was so badly damaged, they couldn't compete in the playoff, against Tracktion. This meant that Tracktion won by default and were automatically through to the ten robot free for all to decide the sixth finalist. They join Apollo, Sabretooth, Big Nipper and Eruption.
Final battle Rapid vs Terrorhurtz
Time for the main event. This was a great, close-fought match. Rapid started the stronger, using the arena tactically. They repeatedly pushed Terrorhurtz onto the floor flipper and into the house robots.
This was clever thinking by the Rapid team, especially, as I didn't think their flipper was up to top form. But the Rapid team quickly proved me wrong by almost flipping Terrorhurtz out.
Terrorhurtz recovered to damage Rapid's armour, but then they were flipped again, and then pushed onto the floor flipper, before finally being flipped out of the arena. But we'll see Terrorhurtz again in the Robot Rumble.
Meanwhile, Rapid joins Behemoth and Carbide in the final.
Dim the lights,
cue your applause,
Rapid is our third finalist
on Robot Wars
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