Hellfire

Hellfire
Participation Information
Live	BattleBots Proving Ground BattleBots FaceOffs
Team Information
Team	Team Swamp Thing
Team Members	Rick Russ Lorna Russ Unnamed teammates
From	El Dorado, CA
Other Entries	Swamp Thing Jet Lag
Associated Robots	Tombstone, The Mortician (Rick Russ, Lorna Russ) Jet Lag, B.O.B., Son of Bob, Low Blow, Deathstar, Mow-Blow, Mr. "D", Final Verdict (Rick Russ)
Robot Statistics
Weight	250lbs
Top Speed	17mph
Power	1x 6S LiPo battery (Drive) 4x 8.2Ah 8S batteries (Weapon)
Drive	2x Castle 2028 brushless motors
Weapons	Undercutter spinner Flamethrower
Statistics correct as of its most recent appearance on the show, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Hellfire is a heavyweight robot built by Rick Russ of Team Swamp Thing, which has fought in BattleBots FaceOffs and at Proving Ground.

It is a large, black and red robot armed with an "extreme" undercutter spinner powered by a large, modified Motenergy ME0708 motor originally designed for Tombstone. The chain-driven weapon notably does not utilize speed controllers, instead opting for an on/off relay. This means the 76lb weapon is either in an on or off state, and does not gradually spin up to its maximum speed of 205mph. Made from tubular steel as well as steel plating for armor and to separate components, Hellfire was originally two-wheel drive and unique in that it uses U-joints in order to angle the drive shafts as as they connect from the motors to the wheels. In keeping with its name, Hellfire sports various flame decals across its body and also on its weapon bar, estimated to measure 3ft in length.

Rick Russ posted in Facebook in June 2023 scouting for a team co-captain, as well as a "seasoned driver" to pilot Hellfire during the live show. Its design was revealed by Team Midnight Invention ahead of their Proving Ground battle, and shown off in depth during a September 27 episode of the Skorpios Builder Blog. As confirmed on the official BattleBots website, Hellfire was due to compete against Switchback during the September 24, 2023 live show. However, it had to pull out due to radio issues and was replaced by Rick Russ' other heavyweight, Swamp Thing.

Ahead of its January 2024 fight against Traves T., Rick Russ installed a flamethrower and gave Hellfire more traditional wheels, meaning it was now invertible. After Traves T. had to pull out, Hellfire instead fought OverKill, but lost in spectacular fashion within ten seconds.

It was confirmed by Lorna Russ in August 2024 that Hellfire would return for BattleBots FaceOffs, with Manta being one of its three opponents during the first week in October. It is also due to fight Traves T. and former Rookie of the Year winner Rusty. The most noticeable change since its previous outing concerned the swap to tracks in place of wheels.

Hellfire during its first spin-up test.

Rick Russ working on Hellfire in The Pits.

Robot History

BattleBots Proving Ground
Hellfire vs. Switchback (9/24/2023) Hellfire vs. Switchback, as originally advertised on the BattleBots website. Hellfire was scheduled to compete during the September 24, 2023 Proving Ground show, against a World Championship VII Top 32 finisher in Switchback. Hellfire suffered unconfirmed issues ahead of the fight, however, so Swamp Thing took its place.
Hellfire vs. Traves. T (1/28/2024) Hellfire being tested in January 2024. Hellfire vs Traves T. as originally advertised on the BattleBots website. Hellfire was scheduled to compete during the January 28, 2024 Proving Ground show, against Traves T., which sat at a 2-1 record. However, Traves T. was forced to withdraw due to technical issues and a new opponent was drafted in.
Hellfire vs. OverKill (1/28/2024) Hellfire instead fought the ShowBot version of OverKill. Hellfire is sent careening over the wall. Rick Russ' robot got its blade up to speed, but immediately became unbalanced on impact with the ShowBot. A chunk of OverKill's tire was torn away, but Hellfire was sent twisting through the air, bouncing around in the corner before landing on the other side of the arena wall. Bil Dwyer: "OHHH! OHH-WOOAHHH!!" Steve Judkins: "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" — Both commentators react as Hellfire suffers a quick loss Hellfire ablaze and immobile. Hellfire caught fire near the BattleBox doors and OverKill was instantly declared the winner. With no count-out, this eight second KO became the fastest fight in modern BattleBots.
BattleBots FaceOffs
Please note that the order of the following fights is unknown, as documentation on the event itself is either limited or non-existent. This is typically true of untelevised events such as BattleBots IQ and those sanctioned by the BattleBots name. Hellfire vs. Traves T. Hellfire faced three opponents during the special event BattleBots FaceOffs. One of these is confirmed to be Traves T..
Hellfire vs. Manta Also in Hellfire's group is two-time RoboGames champion, Manta.
Hellfire vs. Rusty Hellfire will also take on the returning Rusty.

Results

Exhibition Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 1

Competition	Wins	Losses
BattleBots Proving Ground	None	OverKill
BattleBots FaceOffs	TBC	TBC

Trivia

• Hellfire is the first robot to lose its first match to a ShowBot by ring-out.