Bumper construction

[FRC116]

In this discussion (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?p=819502) on Chief Delphi, the FRC Lead Inspector states that any materials can be added to the BUMPERS as long they are within the 1-inch-deep "hard parts only area." This seems to be a direct contradiction to Rule <R08> and Figure 8-1, which indicate that the BUMPERS are to be constructed from plywood backing, pool noodles, fabric covering, aluminum clamping angles (optional), and the fastening system. Can you please confirm if the BUMPERS are limited to construction from just these items, or if we can indeed add steel angles, leftover Chinese food from lunch, steel plates, small rodents, lead blocks, feathers, depleted uranium, etc to the BUMPERS to increase their weight to the maximum 18 pounds?

[GDC]

BUMPERS must be constructed as described in Rule <R08> and illustrated in Figure 8-1. The BUMPERS must be constructed from foam pool noodles, plywood backing, fabric covering, aluminum clamping angles, and a robust fastening system (as shown in Figure 8-1). The aluminum clamping angles are optional (see this Q&A forum response) but highly recommended.

Other structures or materials are NOT permitted. Steel angles, steel plates, lead blocks, etc. are prohibited. There is no rule that would allow these additions.

It is also noted that posting on Chief Delphi and other forums are not official communications, and do not represent opinions, rulings, or determinations by FIRST or the GDC. As helpful and informative as these forums may be, they will not be used by any competition officials for FRC rulings.