Last update: October 17 2025; removal of venue specific information

FAQs

Where will the Pittsburgh Shootout be held in 2026?

We have formed a search committee to locate a venue for 2026 and will inform teams when we finalize a contract.

When will we know when the race is scheduled?

Typically we notify teams of dates, deadlines, cost to participate, and more around March.

My child/friend/colleague is racing. Can I spectate?

We will publish spectating information from the new venue when available.

Can I donate?

Yes! There is a donation link in the Sponsorship tab.

Can I volunteer?

Yes! Go to the Volunteer tab.

Rules

Rules which are updated or added for 2026 are highlighted.

Shootout Rules

Unless otherwise specified, the 2026 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 2026 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 site power to charge their vehicles.

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.

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 2026 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