The Georgia Robotics Invitational Tournament and Showcase (GRITS) is an amazing event designed to give FRC teams an additional opportunity to compete in the 2024 Season's game, CRESCENDO. 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 2024!
Sponsors
GRITS Event Schedule
FRC TEAMS REGISTERED FOR GRITS
(NOTE: This is a PARTIAL LIST of teams that are officially registered and paid, and is subject to change)
Please visit this link for the current team list:
Hotels
Hotel listing from the Dalton Convention & Visitors Bureau. This is not all the hotels in Dalton but these hotels would welcome the teams to stay with them: GRITS Hotel Guide 2024
Event Parking
Parking for GRITS is free. Please refer to the Parking Map (coming soon) 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 (coming soon). You will be directed to enter the Load-In Alley by our volunteers.
Load-Out will not begin until after lunch (time TBA) on Saturday.
Concessions
As a reminder, no outside food is allowed into this venue, and as always, no food will be allowed in the pit area.
Concession menu coming soon!
Consent & Release Form
All participants, including coaches/mentors are required to have completed their FIRST Consent & Release Form with the PCH Form acknowledged DIGITALLY at check-in. Paper Release forms will only be sent to those that are unable to get all their participants registered digitally/online in the FIRST system.
Team Mentor 1 or 2 will bring your printed FIRST Team Roster to Pit Admin at the designed time.
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for GRITS, please contact Tiffany Dean: tdean@gafirst.org
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(Please review before registering your team for the event)
What is the duration of GRITS 2024?
GRITS 2024 will closely resemble a District Qualifier event. Two days of competition with qualifying rounds and double eliminations.
What is the cost of the event?
Two day event - $400
When can my team load-in?
Two options:
1. Thursday evening, October 17th from 5:00-8:00pm
2. Friday morning, October 18th beginning at 8:00am, until 9:00am
How many team members and adults are we allowed to bring to the event?
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 who have passed YPP Screening, attend the event at all times, per FIRST Youth Protect Policy.
Will awards be given out at this event?
Yes. The incredible, coveted Automation Direct designed trophies will be given out on Saturday afternoon to the Winning and Finalist Alliances. The (3) traditional judged GRITS awards will be given out as well.
How many matches will each team get prior to semi-finals and finals?
The number of matches will be determined by the number of teams (max 42) registered.
Will there be inspection at this event?
Yes, your robot will have to pass inspection before competing on the field. If we have available inspectors for Thursday evening, we may start inspection during load-in (TBD).
Will there be any rules changes to the game of play?
Possibly. If rules are modified, teams will be notified.
Will GRITS robots be using the new radios?
No. All teams do not have the new radios yet, and it is an “all or nothing” situation, so everyone will need to use the OLD radios.
Will the Georgia Power Machine Shop be at this event?
No.
Will there be a practice field at this event?
No.
Will this event be streamed?
Yes. Your friends and family will be able to watch your event on-line. GRITS Event Live Stream
Will there be concessions at the event?
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.
Are PCH District/GeorgiaFIRST Consent and Release forms required at this event?
Yes. All participants, including coaches/mentors are required to have completed their FIRST Consent & Release Form with the PCH Form acknowledged DIGITALLY at check-in. Paper Release forms will only be sent to those that are unable to get all their participants registered digitally/online in the FIRST system.
You will need a PRINTED hard copy of your FIRST Team Roster in order to compete.
Are we required to bring our own safety glasses?
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.
Can a 2024 graduating senior participate in this event?
Yes, as long as they have a signed consent & release form and are approved by the coach/mentor to participate.
Can we bring our usual pit set-up?
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.
Will there be spectators?
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, but any adult attending with the team must have a completed YPP screening.
Teams that wish to apply to compete with a 2nd Robot should fill out the separate registration for Bot #2.
Pending slot availability, 2nd bots will be placed in the competition after registration for 1st Bots from PCH and TVA has closed. NOTE that if there is great interest in GRITS participation for 1st bots that that NO 2nd bots will be slotted, so please consider your initial registration accordingly.