FW: **FIRST EMAIL**/ Let the Lunacy Begin!

Greetings Teams:

When Neil Armstrong placed his left foot on the surface of the moon July
21, 1969,  he took "one small step for man and one giant leap for
mankind."  This Thursday, February 26, history will be made again when
the *18th* /FIRST/ Robotics Competition gets underway with the 2009
*"*LUNACY^TM *"* competition! We are so glad you are with us to compete
and celebrate during this momentous season!

We know there will be questions that come up once the regionals start. 
The following will help you know how to reach us during the events and
make sure your questions don't get "stuck in orbit!"

·      *Rules or Scoring Questions - *Drivers and RoboCoaches *must
*contact the Head Referee with these after a field reset has been
signaled.  And, once the Head Referee has made a decision, the *decision
is FINAL!  /FIRST/ will not overturn any Head Referee decisions*.  Full
details on this can be found in *Sections 7* and* 9 *(7.3.7 and 9.5.2)
of the *FRC Competition Manua**l*, "The Game" and "The Tournament"
respectively.  We urge you all to read this so there is no confusion
over this point.

·      *Other Questions (besides Rules or Scoring):**  *Contact Pit
Administration at the event. You may also contact Team Support* at
/FIRST/ Headquarters

·      *General Event and Season Feedback: / /*/FIRST/ will arrange to
collect season feedback after the events via local Team Forums or
through an alternate method. We will notify you well in advance so you
can make your plans - stay tuned!

·      *Team Stories: *We know there will also be remarkable stories
that unfold at each regional.  If you have a story to share with the
/FIRST/ community, please send it to *marketing@usfirst.org
<mailto:firststories@usfirst.org>.*   We will collect and share your
stories throughout the year.

·      *Unresolved Issues:* If you still have a question or concern that
did not get resolved at your event, you may contact Team Support as
indicated below.* * Please remember FRC staff will be traveling in
support of the events, and if your question requires their input, you
may not get an immediate reply.  We will do our best to get you an
answer as soon as possible!

***During the Event Season, Team Support* *will be available during
regular business hours (8:30 am-5:00 pm EST) Monday-Wednesday, with
extended hours to 8:00 pm EST Thursday and Friday, and Saturday from
12:00 pm-5:00 pm EST.  Team Support can be reached at
frcteams@usfirst.org <mailto:frcteams@usfirst.org> or by calling
603-666-3906, ext. 0.

Finally, we ask you to remember that the events are heavily supported by
volunteers, not just /FIRST /staff.  They will be giving their time and
effort toward making your event experience a success, and without them
/FIRST /events could not happen.   We thank you all in advance for your
gracious behavior toward the volunteers.  Please give each volunteer a
warm "Hello!" and "Thank You!" - it will be appreciated by all!

We look forward to providing you with a quality experience and seeing
you at the events!

Good luck to all.  *Let the Lunacy Begin!** **/

/*/Go Teams!/

--
FIRST Robotics Competition

Phone 1-800-871-8326 ext. 0
Fax 603-666-3907
frcteams@usfirst.org
www.usfirst.org