The following announcement was released to the BattleBot contestants on March 22, 2001:


AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM BATTLEBOTS INC.

EVENT UPDATE:

First off, our apologies for any and all communication delays. Due to the exponential increase in participants we have needed to take extra time to ensure that the event runs smoothly, safely and enjoyably for everyone. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. What follows below are critically important details regarding the May 2001 competition. Please read this email carefully and completely.

MAY 2001 COMPETITION VENUE RELOCATION:

Due to the high number of entrants, the available space at the Fort Mason Center has proved to be inadequate.We have therefore decided to change the BattleBots May 2001 competition venue to a larger facility located on TREASURE ISLAND, BUILDING 180.Treasure Island is a decommissioned Naval Station located just off the Bay Bridge, between San Francisco and Oakland. Not only is this facility very close to the previous venue, it is also centrally located such that it would not impact on any San Francisco accommodation you may have made to date.

Treasure Island also enables us to provide a larger pit facility, contestant parking*, and a larger spectator capacity.Our website will be updated shortly with information regarding the new facility.

*NOTE: Parking is available on Treasure Island for BattleBots contestants and BattleBots crew ONLY.Parking will be limited to one automobile per robot. In addition there will be NO public parking. BattleBots is working with local public transportation and private shuttle outlets to provide adequate transportation to and from the island for audience members.

Detailed transportation information will be posted on our website shortly.

UPDATED SCHEDULE:

We have posted the updated event schedule. You may view it at http://www.battlebots.com/bnc_compete_schedule.asp

MATCH PROCEEDURES:

The May 2001 competition will consist of three (3) individual tournaments:

TOURNAMENT #1 – PRELIMINARIES:

- Who: All new robots and all robots ranked below 32nd place in their particular weight class.Rankings will be posted on our website shortly.

- When: Matches will start Thursday, May 24th at 10:00 AM and will conclude the evening of Friday May 25th.See http://www.battlebots.com/bnc_compete_schedule.asp the morning of the preliminary tournament.

- The BattleBox will be divided in half for lightweight and middleweight robots (this is necessary due to the high number of entrants). The divider will be removed for Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight matches.

- No arena weapons will be used during the preliminary tournament.

- Matches shall be held in accordance with all BattleBots rules and guidelines with the exception of matches will be Two (2) minutes in length instead of the normal three (3) minutes(this again is necessary due to the high number of entrants).

- There will be NO television coverage of this event (this includes the Arena announcer, pre and post interviews, etc), but tickets will be sold.

- Preliminaries will be fought until there are sixteen (16) remaining robots advancing in each weight class.Theses sixteen (16) winners will go on to fight ranked veteran robots in the next tournament (see below).

NOTE: Due the high number of entrants, robot who lose in the preliminary tournament will not be eligible for the Robot Rumble - end of show

Free-For-All. Although this is very unfortunate, there is simply not enough time to have multiple rumbles.If you lose your match (and we hope you win) we kindly ask that you pack-up your belongings, clear off your pit table and take a seat in the contestant bleachers to enjoy the rest of the show.

Clearing your pit table as soon as you are eliminated (if your are eliminated) from the competition will greatly help us reduce pit crowding which is an inconvenience for everyone and is a potential hazard. Thank you for your cooperation.

TOURNAMENT #2 – TV TOURNAMENT A:

- Who: the sixteen (16) robots advancing in each weight class from the preliminary tournament will fight robots ranked 17-32. This tournament will last for a single round only, advancing 16 winners to the next tournament.

Rankings will be posted on our website shortly.

- When: TV Tournament A will start Saturday, May 26th at 11:00 AM and will conclude Saturday evening.See http://www.battlebots.com/bnc_compete_schedule.asp for exact times and event schedule. An individual match schedule (who fights who) will be posted on the morning of the preliminary tournament.

- The BattleBox will not be divided

- Arena Weapons will be used

- Matches will be three (3) minutes in length

- There will be full Television coverage for this event.

NOTE: Due the high number of entrants, robot who lose in TV tournament A will not be eligible for the Robot Rumble - end of show Free-For-All. Although this is very unfortunate, there is simply not enough time to have multiple rumbles.If you lose your match (and we hope you win) we kindly ask that you pack-up your belongings, clear off your pit table and take a seat in the contestant bleachers to enjoy the rest of the show. Clearing your pit table as soon as you are eliminated (if your are eliminated) from the competition will greatly help us reduce pit crowding which is an inconvenience for everyone and is a potential hazard. Thanks you for your cooperation.

TOURNAMENT #3 – TV TOURNAMENT B:

- Who: the sixteen (16) robots advancing in each weight class from TV tournament A will fight robots ranked 1-16.This tournament will go all the way to final rounds. Rankings will be posted on our website shortly.

- When: TV Tournament A will start Sunday, May 27th at 11:00 AM and will conclude the evening of Monday, May 28th.See http://www.battlebots.com/bnc_compete_schedule.asp for exact times and event schedule. An individual match schedule (who fights who) will be posted on the morning of the preliminary tournament.

- The BattleBox will not be divided

- Arena Weapons will be used

- Matches will be three (3) minutes in length

- There will be full Television coverage for this event.

- Robots advancing to TV tournament B WILL be eligible for the Robot Rumbles

MORE INFO TO COME:

Stay tuned to your email and our website as we will be sending you important information as it becomes available.In the coming weeks we will be sending and posting information on:

- Treasure Island details (Contestant parking, maps, etc.)

- Local information (hotels, supply stores, etc.)

- Robot Shipping guidelines

- BattleBot rankings

- Updated check-in and safety procedures

- Referee, judging and match stating logistics

- Ticket information

Thank you for you participation in what will be the coolest robot combat event ever.

Good luck and safe building,

BattleBots Inc.