SPARC Tournament Procedures
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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 v1.2
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
| 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 Robot Construction Specifications and 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.