GRITS Off-Season Event
Saturday, October 28th & Sunday October 29th (2 day event)
Riverside Military Academy
2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501
The Georgia Robotics Invitational Tournament and Showcase (GRITS) is an amazing event designed to give FRC teams an additional opportunity to compete with the 2023 Season’s game, CHARGED UP. It is also a great place to bring your new rookie team members to give them the true experience of competition.
Each year our incredible partner, Automation Direct, designs and builds trophies for this event. They have become one of the most coveted symbols of a team’s success. Thank you to all of our GeorgiaFIRST partners who contribute in order to make this event a success!
Below please find the information you will need to make your event experience the best it can be. We look forward to seeing you at GRITS 2023!
Registration for Peachtree District teams opens on Monday, August 28th, at 8:00am.
Teams outside of the Peachtree District can begin registration on Monday, September 11th, at 8:00am, pending openings available.
GRITS EVENT SPONSORS
GRITS EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, October 27, 2023
5:00pm – 8:00pm | Team Load-In, Pit Set-up, Inspections, Field Connection (optional)
Saturday, October 28, 2023
8:00am | Team Load-In, Pit Set-up, Inspection, Field Connection
9:30am-10:00am | Drivers Meeting on Field, Safety Meeting
10:30am – 11:00am | Opening Ceremony
11:00am – 1:00pm | Qualification Matches
1:00pm – 2:00pm | Lunch
2:00pm – 7:00pm | Qualification Matches
8:00pm | Pits Close
Sunday, October 29, 2023
8:00am | Venue Opens
9:00am – 11:30am | Qualification Matches
11:30pm – 12:00pm | Alliance Selection
12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch
1:00pm – 4:00pm | Eliminations
4:15pm – 4:45pm | Awards
6:00pm | End of Event – Load Out
Event Parking
Parking for GRITS is free. Please refer to the Parking Map for reference.
Event Load-In & Load-Out
Upon arrival, all vehicles unloading equipment/robot for the event, must enter the Load-In Staging Area, marked in red on the map. You will be directed to enter the Load-In Alley by our volunteers. Load-Out will not begin until after lunch (1:00pm) on Sunday.
Concessions
Riverside Military Academy will offer concessions on Saturday and Sunday of the event. You are welcome to bring your own food into this venue. As always, no food will be allowed in the pit area.
Consent & Release Form
All participants, including coaches/mentors are required to submit a signed PCH District Consent and Release Form at check-in. You will bring your Consent & Release forms, along with a team roster to pit admin at the designed time.
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for GRITS, please contact Ms. Tiffany Dean: fischet@cisco.com
Register to Volunteer for GRITS here.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(Please review before registering your team for the event)
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GRITS 2023 will closely resemble a District Qualifier event. Two days of competition with qualifying rounds and double eliminations.
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Two day event – $400
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Two options:
Friday, October 27th from 5:00-8:00pm
Saturday, October 28th beginning at 8:00am
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We are not limiting the number of team members/coaches you can bring to this event. Keep in mind that you must have at least (2) Adult mentors/coaches attend the event, per FIRST Youth Protect Policy.
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Yes. The incredible, coveted Automation Direct designed trophies will be given out on Sunday afternoon to the Winning and Finalist Alliances. The (3) traditional judged GRITS awards will be given out as well.
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The number of matches will be determined by the number of teams (max 32) registered.
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Yes, your robot will have to pass inspection before competing on the field. If we have available inspectors for Friday afternoon, we may start inspection during load-in (TBD).
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Possibly. If rules are modified, teams will be notified and updates posted here.
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No.
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No.
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Yes. Your friends and family will be able to watch your event on-line.
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We are currently working with the venue to iron out details such as concessions. More information will be sent to registered teams as soon as they are finalized.
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Yes. Upon completion of registration, your team will be sent an invoice and the consent and release form to be signed by all who attend the event.
You will need a PRINTED hard copy the PCH District Consent and Release form AND a copy of your team roster in order to compete.
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Yes. GeorgiaFIRST will not be able to provide safety glasses (unless a hardship case prevents a team from providing) to all participants. We are no longer able to reuse safety glasses and therefore unable to give out.
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Yes, as long as they have a signed consent & release form and are approved by the coach/mentor to participate.
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No. We are asking that teams reduce their pit set-up to the items needed to keep their robot in the competition. This will allow for a faster load-in/load-out and give your team members more room in your pit area (10’ x 10’). Pits will be separated by pipe-and-drape.
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Yes. Our event will be advertised to our Peachtree District teams via email communications and social media. Spectators are welcome at this event.
Important to note:
It is important to make sure the mentors/coaches attending this event with your team are current with their YPP verification with FIRST. It is not necessary to have completed your team registration with FIRST HQ, any adult attending with the team must have a completed YPP screening.