RobotRobot: New page: overview of the SPARC Tournament Procedures, linking to the current version

2026-10-17T05:30:55Z

New page: overview of the SPARC Tournament Procedures, linking to the current version

New page

The '''SPARC Tournament Procedures''' cover the event-level rules that sit around the matches themselves: what the weight classes are called, how weight is checked during an event, and how unsportsmanlike conduct is handled. It is one of the '''[[SPARC]]''' documents.

'''Current version:''' {{SPARC Tournament Procedures}}

''This summary is based on v1.2 (21 September 2025). It is an overview only – always check the current document and your event's own rules.''

==Weight classes==
{| class="wikitable"
! Limit !! SPARC name
|-
| 150 g (0.33 lb) || Fairyweight
|-
| 1 lb (454 g) || Antweight
|-
| 3 lb (1.36 kg) || Beetleweight
|-
| 12 lb (5.44 kg) || Hobbyweight
|-
| 30 lb (13.61 kg) || Featherweight
|-
| 60 lb (27.22 kg) || Lightweight
|-
| 120 lb (54.43 kg) || Middleweight
|-
| 242.5 lb (110 kg) || UK Heavyweight
|-
| 250 lb (113.4 kg) || US Heavyweight
|}
Robots that walk or shuffle can be heavier – see the weight bonuses in the '''[[SPARC Robot Construction Specifications|Robot Construction Specifications]]''' and '''[[RobotClasses|Robot Classes]]'''.

==Weight checks during an event==
* Officials or judges can ask for any robot to be re-weighed at any time. The time this takes doesn't count against the robot's guaranteed time between matches.
* A robot found '''less than 5% over''' the limit must be brought under weight before its next match.
* A robot found '''more than 5% over''' forfeits its previous match, and must be brought under weight before its next match.
* Repeated weight violations at the same event lead to disqualification.
* If officials call for a re-weigh straight after a match, both robots are weighed. If one is overweight it forfeits that match; if both are overweight, the result stands and both must get under weight before their next match.
* '''Optional camera rule:''' an event may allow a small onboard camera and protective shroud that takes a robot over the limit. The mount must only protect the camera and should be easy to remove for weighing.

==Unsportsmanlike conduct==
Examples include hitting after the match has ended, sabotage, distracting the other driver, and obvious early starts.
* '''First unintentional incident:''' a warning. Warnings carry over between events and expire after 25 months.
* '''Second unintentional incident:''' automatic forfeit of the match.
* '''Clearly intentional conduct:''' the driver is disqualified for the rest of the event, and their robots need a substitute driver to keep competing.
* In a double-elimination final that could go to a second match, the offending driver forfeits both the current match and the potential follow-up match.

==See also==
* '''[[SPARC Match Rules]]'''
* '''[[Events]]'''

{{SPARC documents}}

SPARC Tournament Procedures - Revision history

RobotRobot: New page: overview of the SPARC Tournament Procedures, linking to the current version