Rules and FAQ

Last update: June 23 2023

FAQs

Facility FAQs

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 – $42 for a single session $72 for a two (2) pack of sessions $93 for a three (3) pack of sessions

Rules

Rules which are updated or added for 2024 are highlighted.

Facility Rules

1. Waiver must be signed for each individual entering the track premises.

2. Appropriate wristbands must be worn at all times while on track premises.

3. No illegal Firearms, Fireworks or Weapons of any kind will be tolerated.

4. No Drone usage.

5. Use wood or other suitable materials on pavement to avoid damages for trailer tongues, jacks, jack stands, etc.

6. Report all fluid spills on paved surfaces so that absorbent materials can be applied.

7. Dispose of motor oils, brake fluids and antifreeze only in marked containers.

8. All tires, scrap metal (including broken canopies) and any other vehicle parts must be taken with you and not disposed of at the track.

9. No loud noise or music...Please be considerate of others.

10. Speed limit is 10 MPH for all vehicles in the paddock areas.

11. Quiet hours are from 8:00pm until 8:00am.

12. Please place all trash in trash cans.

13. All pets must be leashed and picked up after.

14. No open campfires.

15. No alcohol during hours of operations. No illegal drugs.

16. Helmets must be worn for any on-track activity in excess of 45 MPH - No Exceptions.

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

Shootout Rules

Unless otherwise specified, the 2024 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.

c. The Pittsburgh Shootout LLC 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.

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 participate at the Pittsburgh Shootout.

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 2024 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 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

3. Dynamic Areas Access, Spectating, and Photography

a. Dynamic Areas will be clearly marked with signs

b. Maximum 6 students including driver may 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

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 Storage

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

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 – you are not required to wear drivers gear during the egress.

c. All drivers must be wearing 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), 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.

10. Site Access

a. Only authorized persons may be on site after 8pm. Non-campers will be asked to leave the site after 8pm.

b. All campers must have wristbands.

11. 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 2023 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.

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