V5RC · High School

Spearfish Qualifier: Blended MS/HS VEX V5 Robotics Competition

January 9–9, 2027 Spearfish Middle School Spearfish, South Dakota

VEX V5RC Other event in Spearfish, South Dakota, United States Jan 9, 2027. 5 teams.

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Tentative schedule from RECF FOUNDATION (pdf) (updated March 23, 2026).

General Info

General Info

Spearfish Qualifier - Override

Registration Information

All participating teams must be registered with VEX V5 Robotics Competition on events.vex.com and have an official team number before registering for this event. Tournament fees must be paid before teams are allowed to compete. Registration and payments should be made through the events.vex.com.

Engineering notebooks

You must submit a Digital Engineering Notebook for this event.

Lunch and Concessions

This section will be updated to reflect the plan for this year withing 30 days of the event.

Concessions will be open from 8:30 to when the event ends.

Cash is preferred, Credit Card will have an additional fee of $0.30 + 2.9%.
Breakfast

- Coffee, Caramel Rolls (or donuts) and fruit

Lunch and Snack

- Hot Dogs

- Sloppy Joes

- Nachos

- Soft Pretzels

- Uncrustables (PB&J)

Pop, Bottled Water, Candy, Chips

Each team will get a meal voucher for their coach.

Competition Preparation

All teams should come prepared for competition. Here are a few steps that every team should take to ensure that they are prepared.

Review all game information: Current Game Webpage

  1. Review the rules and run through the inspection checklist about a week before the competition so that there is ample time for adjustments. Robots must use VEX V5 parts. Please self inspect before arriving at the tournament using the VEX V5 Inspection Checklist – Global Robotics & Science Foundation

  2. Check the official VEX forums for rule updates and changes.

  3. Carefully read all of the information contained in the tournament posting on events.vex.com

  4. Pack for the event the day before the day of departure. Here are a few items that you don't want to forget.

    • Goggles/Safety Glasses

    • Spare parts & tools

    • Batteries and chargers

    • Power strip and extension cord

    • Laptop computer

    • Programming cable

    • Engineering notebook (Required for judged awards)

    • Banners and other decorations for your team pit table

    • Giveaways if you have them

  5. Review the Awards Offered at Competition Events - Global Robotics & Science Foundation that are being given during the tournament.

  6. Prep for your interviews with the judges and read the Judges – Global Robotics & Science Foundation.. Check the awards tab to see what awards will be given during the tournament.

  7. Remember that safety comes first, please don't bring tools that pose a safety risk to your team, or others nearby, as teams are close to each other in the venue pit area. Also, remember no grinding or other actions that create sparks, ask the tournament director for a safe location if grinding is needed.

  8. Ensure that you have the latest version of programming software and firmware for your V5 Brain.

Participation and Consent Form

A completed form for all participants must be uploaded to events.vex.com prior to the tournament. Team leaders will need to check that all team members attending the event have completed the online consent form prior to the tournament. Online Consent Form.

Venue
Spearfish Middle School
Address
1600 Canyon Street, Spearfish, South Dakota 57783, United States
Dates
January 9, 2027
Grade Level
All
Skills Challenge
Yes
Judging Format
All In-Person Judging

Registration & Logistics

Event Type
Open Tournament
Event Format
In-Person
Field Control
Smart Field Control
Capacity
30
Spots Open
25
Event Region
South Dakota
Max Registrations per Org
6
Standard Registration Opens
4-Sep-2026 12:00 EDT
Registration Deadline
4-Jan-2027 12:00 EST
Payment Deadline
4-Jan-2026 21:00 EST
Price
$65.00

Agenda

TENTATIVE! Check here the week of the event to make sure you have the current agenda.
Teams MUST be checked-in by 9:30. If your team is running late, call the Event Partner or the match schedule will be run WITHOUT your team.

8:30 Doors Open 8:30 - 9:30 Team Check In 8:30 - 10:00 Robot Inspection 8:45 - 12:00 Skills 9:00 - 12:00 Interviews 10:15 Team and Driver Meeting 10:30 - 12:00 Blended Qualification matches 12:00 - 12:30 Lunch 12:30 - 2:00 Skills and Interviews (Both will close after last qualification match is complete) 12:30 - 2:00 Qualification matches 2:10 Alliance Selection (will start 10m after last qualification match) 2:35 Finals Matches (will start 10m after alliance selection is complete) 4:00 Final awards and closing (immediately after the last match)

Elimination Matches

Number of elimination alliances

  • 16-23 teams = 8 alliances (16 teams) in elimination bracket
  • 24+ teams = 12 alliances (24 teams) in elimination bracket

NOTES:
- Alliances will be 2 teams.
- Teams that decline invitations may inadvertently remove themselves from the elimination bracket
- All finals matches will be one-and-done (no best-of-three matches).
- Ties in finals matches will be replayed until a winner is determined.

Stream

Webcast We will put good faith effort into supporting a live stream but make no promises. https://www.youtube.com/live/9H5_EPgcysg

Judging Format

Judging Format Digital Engineering Notebook Submissions / In Person Team Interviews: Team interviews will be conducted in-person at the event. Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation via a link found within the "My Account" panel of the team contact. Digital Engineering Notebook must be linked to your account and submitted before your team checks in on Feb 7.

Volunteer

Volunteer If you wish to volunteer at this tournament please contact the event partner in charge. jhoguet@gmail.com

Emergency/Bad-Weather Policy

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy The tournament will go on unless the interstates are closed for bad weather. If the event is cancelled, then Cancelled will appear in the title of the event.