Updated 11.5.2025
Participants (students, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators) at Formula SAE would like to enjoy an accident-free event. Rules are listed alphabetically and all must be followed.
ASSIGNED PADDOCK: Your team is assigned one paddock location. Your must be able to operate within your own paddock spot. Only your FSAE trailer or commercial rental truck will be parked in paddock. All other vehicles will be required to park outside oval in MIS Fan Zone. See Event Site Review for more information.
BEHAVIOR: Professional courtesy and attitudes expected.
- Use of motorcycles, quads, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, or similar person-carrying devices in any part of the competition area, including paddocks, in prohibited, as are self-propelled pit carts, toolboxes, tire carrier, etc.
- Alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons, or other illegal material are prohibited on the event site.
- No pets allowed onsite.
- No open-toed shoes onsite. Closed-toed shoes are mandatory.
DRIVER’S EQUIPMENT: Anytime the driver is in the cockpit with the engine running, the following approved safety equipment must be worn: helmet, driver’s suit, racing gloves, goggles/face shields, racing shoes, and hair covering, if necessary (Rule VE.3 “Driver’s Equipment”).
DRIVING PRACTICE: Practice is only to take place in the designated areas during designated hours.
ENGINE RUNNING: Engines may be run in the paddock provided the car has passed parts 1 and 2 of technical inspection and the conditions of Rule D.2.3 are met: the car must be on an adequate stand, and the drive wheels must either be at least 10 cm (4 in) off the ground or removed entirely. No one is permitted underneath the vehicle while the engine is running.
FIRES: No open fires in the paddock. Electric hot plates and MIG or TIG welding (with gas bottles safely secured) are allowed in your stall. Propane BBQ grills ONLY may be used only in the designated area, which is located on the grass outside paddocks.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: A fire extinguisher must accompany the car when in the paddock or moving to any part of the site; driver should not be holding the fire extinguisher. Additionally, a team member must hold a fire extinguisher ready whenever the car is running in your stall. Fire extinguishers should be close by the vehicle and readily accessible at all times. All team members must be knowledgeable in their use. If a team discharges a fire extinguisher they should notify event organizers.
FUEL AND OIL: No open fuel containers. All fuel containers must be DOT approved. Waste oil, etc., is to be taken to the fuel station for disposal.
JACKING: When supporting cars off the ground, use strong, sturdy stands which support the vehicle in a stable and secure way; drive wheels should not touch stands. Do not use milk crates, piles of wood, four of the strongest team members, etc.
SPECTATORS: Spectators are defined as someone NOT part of the registered team limit of 30 students. All spectators cannot work on the vehicle and MUST follow the same rules as participants.
TOOL USE: Tools are expected to be used safely. Use of PPE is required. Wear safety glasses when cutting, grinding, etc. Wear appropriate eye protection while welding.
TRASH: It is the team’s responsibility to keep their Paddocks clean throughout the event. There are trash compactors behind the paddocks and near the suites. Do Not Throw Metal into the trash cans.
No trash (including broken parts, old furniture, worn out tires or other materials) may be left behind at the end of the event. (Rule AD.7.4)
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS: No unapproved modification to the vehicle after it has been through tech inspection. (Rule IN.16.2)
VEHICLE MOVEMENT: Vehicles may not move under their own power anywhere but on the practice or competition tracks. Whenever a car is moved, (Rule VE.2.1 and Rule VE.2.2) there must be:
- A driver wearing a full safety suit seated in the cockpit
- A fire extinguisher accompanying the car at all times
- Someone pushing the car with a push bar
WORKING ON THE VEHICLE: Work on the vehicles should take place in team paddocks or at the GM Welding and Machine Trailer. Tools are expected to be used safely and PPE is required.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PASSENGER VEHICLES TO BE DRIVEN ON THE TRACK.
Exception – crossing the track upon arrival to and departure from MIS is permitted under super only.
