Winter Wars 2026 - MRCA Qualifier and Coat Drive event

❄️ WINTER WARS IS BACK! ❄️

Combat Robots & Coat Drive – Year 3

We’re excited to announce the return of Winter Wars, our Combat Robots and Coat Drive event, now in its 3rd year!

⭐ This will be the FIRST MRCA event of 2026!

Last year we gave away over $1,500 in prizes, and we’re hoping to match (or beat!) that again this year.

📅 Event Details

Date: January 17, 2026

Location:

📍 506 Pine St., Doniphan, MO 63935

SEMO Combat Robotics Headquarters

• MRCA Qualifier Event

• 2 Arenas

• Classes: Plastic Ant, Ant, Beetleweight

• MRCA ruleset enforced

👉 https://midwestrobotcombat.com/rules/

(No weight bonus of any kind)

🧥 BONUS EVENTS

1. COAT DRIVE CONTEST – 1st Place wins an autographed Rusty Plush

Show Us Your Warmest Bot!

Show your creativity and support the coat drive with a winter- or coat-themed robot.

• Decorated, painted, or themed (Winter, Christmas, or Coat Drive)

• Each bot displayed with a donation jar

• Audience may walk through pits to vote by donating

• Bot with the most donations wins a bonus prize

• All proceeds go toward the coat drive

• Recommended to decorate your clone (judging occurs after all first-round matches)

(Yes… a fighting boot may make an appearance 😄)

2. Abby’s Brace Send-Off

A single-round event for any 1 lb bot that wants to participate. Abby has competed with SEMO at several events and, after overcoming major medical challenges, no longer needs her brace. She has asked for a send-off by placing the brace in the arena and letting the bots attack it.

• Each bot will have a balloon attached

• Last balloon popped wins a prize

3. King of the Hill

• Antweight and Beetleweight

• 3-minute rounds

• Winner is the bot on the center block when time expires

• Match stops immediately if a battery is exposed for safe removal

🕗 Event Schedule

• 8:00 AM – Doors open / Registration begins

– Pick up waiver and contract at registration

– Complete and return forms to receive safety sheet

• 8:00 – 9:30 AM – Safety checks

– Weapon and drive failsafe testing required

– Failsafes must function to pass safety (check prior to arrival)

– Waiver must be signed before safety check

• 9:30 – 10:00 AM – Final arena checks (staff only)

– Brackets posted on on-site TV, Facebook, YouTube, and Challonge

• 10:00 AM – Driver meeting

• 10:30 AM – Fights begin

• 1:00 PM – Lunch break (~1 hour)

– Kitchen menu posted closer to event date

• ~5:30 PM – Event wrap-up (may run slightly past)

🏨 Lodging

Recommended Hotel: Rocky River Inn

📞 573-996-2400

📍 100 Oak Tree Village, Doniphan, MO 63935

(Approx. 1 mile from event center)

AirBNBs also available nearby with good feedback.

🔗 Helpful Links

• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GofrkpLoR/

• Discord: https://discord.gg/MpxbDX3C