PART New Year's Knockout

A very (very) low key 2026 kickoff event at the Placer Robotics Center in Roseville, CA.  We will not be promoting this as open to the public due to space constraints, but it's open to friends/family for spectating.

Event Details

• Date: Friday  January 2, 2026
• Location: 643 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA 
• Entry Fee: $20 per bot
• All bracket are group play (swiss or round robin) preliminary stage, with top 8-16 advancing to single elimination
• Classes  
  • PLANT (32 teams) 
  • Full Combat Antweight (16 teams)
  • Beetleweight (16 teams) 
  • We may split the PLANT class into an EDU (Grades 7-12*) and an Open , will be finalized by December 1st

One bot per team per weight class please.  We understand some RCE "Teams" are really larger clubs (our own club is such example) . If you are club with multiple independent teams/builders that design, build and drive their own bots, we are happy to review and approve 

Tournament details:

• All classes will be group play (Swiss or Round Robin) with the top 8 to 16 teams advancing to single eliminations. 
• 3 minute matches for full combat, 2 minutes for PLANTs
• Full combat fights on the Placer Robotics FC Arena, 6x6 with steel floor.  See the rules re: magnetic downforce limits
• Plastic Ants fight in the Impact Robotics League PLANT Arenas, full 4x4 with wood floor
• Prizes: Pride & Trophies or medals for top 3 finishers

Builders will need to share tables/chairs in the lab.  If it's not raining, we will likely run the plant fights outside, so plan accordingly.   Adult supervision required onsite for duration of event for anyone under age of 18

Rules All Placer Robotics /Impact Robotic League Events run under the following rulesets

• • Beginner/ Intemediate EDU:
    •  Impact Robotic League Rules - limited brushed drive systems, 3S only. Limited to grades 7-12*
  • PLANT Open and Full Combat 1lb and 3lb 
    • SPARC 1.6 Construction Rules as the baseline, with changes/deviations as detailed in Placer Robotics 25-26 Rules  document.  Please see the document for complete details. Major differences include:
      • Tip Speed Limit 250mph 
      • Weapon restrictions: No Fire, Flamethrowers, Smoke, Pneumatics, Special Weapons, Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) and liquid fuels, etc 
      • Plastic Ants: No TPU as per Sparc 1.6 but with one exception: TPU weapon or drive belts  are permitted as emergency replacements 
      • Magnetic Downforce Limits (Section 17 addition )
      • Original Work Expectations (Section 18 addition)

*We do accept 6th grade participants on an case by case basis for EDU divisions  - please contact the event organizer for details.  Registration Deadlines and Details -

• One robot per builder/driver . Large clubs (such as school based programs) may enter multiple bots provided each bot is designed, managed/repaired and driven by a subteam/builder.  Contact the EO to confirm if you have any questions.
• Registration Deadline:  Jan 1, 2026
• Payment Deadline: December  29, 2025 if there is a waiiting list. 
• --> Pay Here or venmo day of if there's no waiting list  All participants and supervising adults must complete liability/media release waiver for the season. If you completed the waiver for IRL #1 FALL BRAWL or NorCal Summer Smash , you do not need to complete it again.   --> Complete the Online Waiver Here

Friday January 2nd (Competition)

• 8:00 AM — Venue opens 
• 9:00 AM — Check-in & safety deadline
• 9:15 AM — Fights begin
• 12:00 PM — Lunch break
• 12:30 PM — Fights resume
• 3:30 Finals, awards, cleanup (estimated)

See the IRL Compete page for:

• Safety Rules
• Tournament Rules
• Construction Rules for the Beginner and Intermediate divisions