Last update: March 17 2025

FAQs

Facility FAQs

more info at: pittrace.com

Are campfires permitted? Open campfires are not permitted. Grills and contained, elevated fire pits are permitted at least 50 ft away from the fuel farm. 

Are there ATMs available? There are no ATM machines on site at Pitt Race. ATMs are accessible at Al’s Corner Market. We do accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards on site.

Who should I contact if I encounter a problem? During events, Pitt Race personnel will be available at the Pitt Stop Pro Shop or in an official Pitt Race vehicle in the paddocks.

Do you supply any gear for drivers? Karting? Pitt Race has a limited supply of helmets for rent at the Pitt Stop Pro Shop. There is not a fleet of race cars to rent. For kart rentals, they provide racers with a helmet, neck brace, jacket, and gloves. We recommend that you wear long sleeves and long pants. Closed-toe shoes are required but not provided.

Are there bleachers available? Pitt Race has a limited amount of bleachers on Spectator Hill and by Karting. We encourage our guests to bring blankets and canopies to set up to view events. All tents must be appropriately staked down and not in the line of sight of other spectators. 

How much does it cost to kart? Kart pricing – $33 for a single session $60 for a two (2) pack of sessions $81 for a three (3) pack of sessions 

Rules

Rules which are updated or added for 2025 are highlighted.

Facility Rules 

Clarification or commentary from the Shootout is shown in red.

1. All motorized vehicles on the facility grounds, including pit vehicles, bicycles, and scooters must obey all traffic and speed limit signs.

   • This applies to FS cars on South Paddock Drive as well as other vehicles. Participants may bring pit bikes, bicycles, etc as long as they follow facility rules.

2. Careless or misuse of pit vehicles, bicycles or scooters will result in the loss of operating privilege and the confiscation of the vehicle for the duration of the event. The vehicle will be returned to the owner at the conclusion of the event.

3. Children must always be under adult supervision.

4. Pets are permitted and must be leashed at all times. All pets must be kept under the control of their owners. Owners are required to pick up immediately after their pets and to dispose of waste in receptacles located throughout the facility.

5. No decals, signs, painting, markings or advertising of any kind shall be affixed on or to any windows, doors or other part of the facility, nor may use of temporary structures, alterations or improvements be done to the property by a Participant, Guest or Spectator without prior written approval from PIRC.  The Participant, Guest or Spectator will reimburse PIRC for all costs incurred to remove such materials from the Premises.

6. Vehicles, especially car haulers, are permitted only in areas designated by PIRC. PIRC must approve connection to Pittsburgh International Race Complex electrical supply. A flat fee per electrical hook-up will be charged for connection to RVs, motor homes or trailers. PIRC reserves the right to require that car haulers be moved to another location due to congestion in the paddock area.

   • Teams do not have access to power in the Paddocks.

7. All paved surfaces must be protected.  All participants must use flat blocks or wood squares to absorb weight beneath any equipment that may cause damage to the surface, such as jack stands and kart stands.  No holes will be permitted in any asphalt surface, including but not limited to the racing surface, pit area, VDA, and paddock area.

8. Participants, Guests or Spectators will not permit anyone to make any markings of any kind to the racing surface.

9. All trash must be placed in proper containers. Do not place any petroleum products in trash containers. Participants must use properly marked containers for all refuse.  Costs incurred by PIRC to handle or dispose of tires or trash left at the Facility will be billed to Renter.

10. The Participant, Guest or Spectator and other third parties entering the Facility shall not bring hazardous materials onto the Facility or any PIRC property.  This includes, but is not limited to explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, radioactive material or any item that might be considered hazardous by any responsible insurance company or regulatory agency.  Race fuel is available for purchase at the Facility during the Event.

    • This includes fireworks. Pitt Race is aware the EVs are racing on site; this rule does not disqualify the EVs.

11. Plumbing, fixtures, and appliances shall be used only for the purposes for which designed.  No rubbish, rags, or other unsuitable material shall be thrown or deposited therein. Damage resulting to any fixtures or appliances from misuse by a Participant, Guest or Spectator or their representatives, shall be paid by the Renter.

12. The Participant, Guest or Crew must clean up fluid spills promptly after the spill occurs. Oil Dry is available at a cost of $15.00 per bag. The Participant, Guest or Crew shall notify PIRC personnel if Oil Dry is needed. PIRC will clean up fluid spills on racing surfaces, and Renter will reimburse PIRC for all costs associated with clean-up, including labor costs, vehicle costs and the costs of materials. PIRC recommends that antifreeze be replaced with water for coolant to avoid the costs and delays incurred due to coolant spills.

    • Teams will be responsible for paying for the oil dry in case a leak occurs in the Paddocks. The Shootout will cover it if it's on track.

13. No open fires are allowed.

14. All oxygen, acetylene, propane or other types of pressurized cylinders with combustible gas must be securely fastened to a carrier.

15. All non-commercial photography is allowed at PIRC for public events. During track rentals and events, photographers are authorized to be inside specified fences, entering via authorized entry points.  At all times, while inside the fence, photographers will wear their PIRC issued badge and vest for identification and remain inside the specified photo boundaries, failure to do so may result in loss of privileges.

    • Students who wish to take photos do not need PIRC badges as they are participants. Spectators are encouraged to stay outside of the dynamic areas in safe zone to avoid the extra paperwork.

16. Paddocking, car repairs or camping are not permitted on Spectator Hill and its immediate areas. Overnight camping is permitted for a fee. Tent camping is allowed in designated areas.

    • There is no camping at the Pittsburgh Shootout. Students are not permitted on site after 8pm.

FAILURE TO ADHERE TO ALL OF THESE RULES IS GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL FROM THE FACILITY. 

Shootout Rules

Unless otherwise specified, the 2025 FSAE Rules will be referenced and Enforced on site.

1.    Sportsmanship, Eligibility, and Expectation of Conduct

a.    Sportsmanship is expected of all team members. This is a reminder that, while this is NOT an SAE sanctioned event, teams are still representing their schools, their SAE Collegiate Chapters, and themselves.

b.    All competition participants must be 18 or over to attend the Pittsburgh Shootout. Spectators need not be over 18.

c.    The Pittsburgh Shootout reserves the right to ask individuals or teams to leave the event in the case misconduct such as: violation of facility or event rules, inappropriate usage of the facilities, property damage, or otherwise inappropriate behavior.

d. The Pittsburgh Shootout operates with the expectation that the teams arrive ready to race. Vehicles which are expected to not pass inspections or not run are encouraged to drop from registration to make room for a team ready to race.

2.    Technical Inspection

a.    EV/Hybrid

                                           i. EV Technical Inspection will consist of Accumulator, EV, Mechanical, Rain, and Brakes test.

                                           ii. EV teams must have minimum Accumulator, EV, Mechanical, and Rain stickers from another competition to be eligible at the Pittsburgh Shootout.

iii.     EV teams may be asked for an accumulator video pre-event to accelerate inspections on site.

b.    IC

                                            i. IC Technical Inspection will consist of Standard IC Inspection, Mechanical Inspection, and Brakes test.

c.     Technical Inspection will be conducted by non-student volunteers.

d.    A copy of the 2025 Tech sheet will be provided when available.

e.    Alumni vehicles will be inspected to the ruleset to which they were built. Reasonable adjustments may be made to inspection based on work done to the cars post-competition year and the age of the vehicle. At a bare minimum, they are expected to have:

                                            i. A functioning brake light and BOTS

                                           ii. Two E-stops, one in cockpit and one outside (two for EV) per FSAE rules

                                          iii. An Impact Attenuator in good condition appropriately attached to the car with structural adhesive

                                          iv. Belts attached to the car following the FSAE rules, highly preferred unexpired belts, expired belts may be acceptable if in perfect condition and barely expired (~1yr or so)

                                           v. No frame damage, whether rust or structural

                                          vi. No fluid leaks

                                         vii. Safety wiring of critical fasteners

                                        viii. A sealed firewall

f.    EV Alumni vehicles built more than 1 year after the current ruleset may be allowed to participate at the discretion of the Pittsburgh
      Shootout. They will be inspected to the ruleset which they were built. Reasonable adjustments may be made to inspection based on
      modern EV rules.

g.    The Pittsburgh Shootout may request documentation such as SES, ESF, FMEA, etc to evaluate vehicle readiness and eligibility. Failure

        to produce these documents may result in disqualification.

h.     The Pittsburgh Shootout Lead Technical Inspectors reserve the right to disqualify any vehicle regardless of age or class due to safety

         considerations at any time prior to or during the event.

3.    Dynamic Areas Access, Spectating, and Photography

a.    Dynamic Areas will be clearly marked with signs

b.    Maximum 6 students including driver should be with the vehicle in the Dynamics Area

c.     Photography

                                            i. Photographers are encouraged to stay in spectator areas

                                           ii. Those who wish to enter the dynamics area must go to Registration with a spotter to receive a Vest and instructions

d.    Spectating

                                            i. Students may spectate the event by standing outside the dynamics areas around the guardrails

                                           ii. Other spectating areas will be marked on the map and with signage. Vests are not required in these areas

                                           iii.     Parents, sponsors, and other supporters are welcome to attend the shootout. There is no charge to spectate. Rules apply     to all attendees, whether spectators or participants. Spectators may not drive the vehicles.

e.    Corner working

                                            i. Corner working is scheduled per team. Students shall report to Registration at their assigned time to work the track.

4.    Hot Work

a.    EV Hot Work is prohibited on site without explicit permission from Pittsburgh Shootout EV captain and under direct supervision in the EV area.

5.    Accumulator

a.    HV accumulator storage is not permitted in enclosed areas such as trailers or vehicles while on site at Pittsburgh International Race Complex.

b.    The Pittsburgh Shootout will provide a suitable location for accumulator storage.

c.     The accumulator may only be in 3 locations while on site at PIRC:

                                            i. In Accumulator storage area

                                           ii. In FS vehicle

                                          iii. On Accumulator cart

d.     If the accumulator is not removable, the student vehicle may be parked in the storage area.

6.    Work in Paddocks and Use of Power Tools

a.    Participants are expected to wear PPE on site while doing any work with hand or power tools

b.    Use of tools which generate sparks such as grinders, welders, etc is permitted on site in the open paddock

c.     Use of tools which generate sparks is not permitted inside of trailers or in EV area

7.    Volunteering

a.    We will ask teams to help with track maintenance, timing, flagging, etc. Please see the index for volunteer descriptions and instruction.

8.    Driver rules

a.    There is no limit on drivers or number of runs.

b.    All drivers must pass an egress of the vehicle they intend to drive – you are not required to wear drivers gear during the egress.

c.     Drivers may be required to wear an RFID armband when in line to drive.

d.    All drivers must pass Percy rules: IN.5.1 – Helmet Clearance

e.    All drivers must wear:

                                            i. Helmet – closed face

                                           ii. Balaclava

                                          iii. Suit – SFI 5

                                          iv. Gloves – SFI 5

                                           v. Shoes – SFI 5

                                          vi. Fire resistant socks

f.     Outside of the Dynamic Area(s) and marked locations, vehicles must be pushed at a normal walking pace using the Push Bar (VE.2.2), with a driver in the cockpit and with another team member walking beside. Vehicles cannot be driven inside the paddocks.

9.    Fueling/Charging

a.    Teams are responsible for their own fuel/charging.

b.    Pitt Race features quality Sunoco Race Fuels in the following blends:

                                            i. 100 octane unleaded

                                           ii. 110 octane leaded

                                          iii. 90 octane ethanol-free unleaded

                                          iv. 93 octane unleaded

                                           v. No E85 is available on site. The closest place to purchase E85 is at the Sheetz in Wampum.

c.     EV teams must charge in the charging area and bring their own generator.

d.    EV teams are not permitted to use the J1772 Porsche charger on site on their FS vehicle.

e. Teams may not fuel or charge LV or HV systems in dynamic areas.

10.  Site Access

a.    Only authorized persons may be on site after 8pm.

b.    All campers must have wristbands.

11.  Timing and Scoring

a.    Autocross will be scored out of 125 pts, Acceleration out of 100 pts, and Skidpad out of 75 pts using the FSAE scoring method outlined in the 2025 FSAE Rules.

b.    If the number of EV registrations exceeds 25% of the registered teams, the classes may be split for scoring. Overall and class-specific awards may be given.

c. The fastest time is recorded by car; therefore, a driver from another team may set the fastest time of the day. This award goes to the car's team, not the driver's team.

d. The teams must affix their Omni-ID Exo 800 RFID tag (the same from the FSAE competitions) on a near-vertical frame member on the left side of the vehicle, facing outward. Follow these instructions:
https://www.fsaeonline.com/cdsweb/gen/DownloadDocument.aspx?DocumentID=8ad03e9f-b428-4691-a4f2-72e6e2ec1bde

Fuel and Food

Food & Beverage Concessions are available at Pitt Race during the race season, April – October, on weekends, and for most scheduled events. Otherwise, the closest spot for food is 0.7 miles away at Al’s Corner Market. 351 PA-18, Koppel, PA 16136. There is also a Subway across the street from Al’s, and Sheetz in Ellwood City for fast, hot food.

Students are encouraged to bring grills and other appliances for cooking provided they meet the facility rules above.

Fueling Stations Pitt Race features quality Sunoco Race Fuels in the following blends: 100 octane unleaded, 110 octane leaded, 90 octane ethanol-free unleaded, 93 octane unleaded. A level 2 J-1772 charger is available at the Fuel Farm for $12/hr charging.

No E85 is available on site. The closest place to purchase E85 is at Sheetz - 14 5th St, Ellwood City, PA 16117