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DART Spring Combat

Date

05/02/2026

Location

Blacksburg, VA, United States

Time

08:00 - 17:30

About This Event

Event Date:

  • Saturday, May 2nd

Location:

  • Virginia Tech, Goodwin Hall

  • The nearest on-campus parking for the event is Perry St. Garage

  • Address: 635 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060

Schedule:

  • 8:00: Doors open

  • 8:15: Safety checks begin

  • 9:55: Safety checks end

  • 10:00: Competitor briefing

  • 10:30: fights begin

  • 12:30: Lunch break

  • 5:00: fights end

Safety

  • All robots need to pass safety before being allowed to compete. This consists of failsafe testing and weighing in.

  • If a LiPo becomes exposed in a design, the match will immediately end as a knockout.

  • Weapon locks must be used at all times when the robot is not in the arena or test box.

  • Robots may only be tested in the arena or test box. This includes drive tests.

  • Failure to follow safety guidelines may result in removal from the event.

Arena:

  • Our arena is 5x5x2.5 ft, with 2 layers of 1/4in polycarbonate

  • The arena floors and kickplates are made from wood

  • There are no arena hazards

Rules:

  • Our event will follow SPARC V1.6 rules.

  • No flame or heat weapons are permitted.

  • Shufflers and robots with non-traditional drive will be granted a 25% weight bonus.

  • The match length is 2 minutes.

  • There will be only 1 unstick per match, and only to separate robots from each other. If a second unstick is necessary, the match will go to a judges’ decision. If a robot gets stuck in the arena, there will be no unstick.

  • If a match goes to a judges' decision, a 7-5-5 system will be used: 7 points for weapon effect, 5 points for aggression, and 5 points for control.

  • Each robot will be given a minimum of 20 minutes to repair between fights. Robots not ready for their match must forfeit, although fights will be pushed back when possible.

  • Pins can be held for 10 seconds. Grapples (moving pins) may be held for 20 seconds.

  • Fights will take the form of a double elimination tournament. Each robot is guaranteed at least 2 fights if it is ready for each.

** Weight classes:**

  • Full combat antweight (16 max)

  • Plastic antweight (8 max).

  • Plastic antweight designs may be built from 3D printed PLA, PLA+, PETG, ABS, ASA, and PET.

  • TPU, or any flexible material, may not be used in the plastic antweight class.

  • The registration fee for each design is $20

For any questions or concerns regarding this event, please contact us at nickolasc24@vt.edu

AntweightPlastic Antweight

Weight Classes

Antweight
0 / 16 slots filled
Plastic Antweight
0 / 8 slots filled