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