Driverless Skid Pad Event Description – Formula SAE Driverless

5.2.2026

EVENT CAPTAINS: Nick Hills
VENUE: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI, USA
ON-SITE LOCATIONS: Backstretch near Gate 50

Event Concept:

The goal of the Driverless Skid Pad event is to evaluate the car’s demonstrated perception and controls capability while also exercising the maximum cornering capability by measuring the total time required for the vehicle to complete one left hand and one right hand circle. Each vehicle will be allowed four runs.

The fastest of the runs completed, including penalties, will be used to calculate the team score. Teams are awarded 25 points for starting at least a single run. Teams are awarded 25 points for completing one or more run. Points are awarded based on the team’s performance, as calculated using the team’s placement among the other Driverless Skid Pad Runs from other teams. The final Driverless Skid Pad score for a team is the sum total of starting points, completion points, and performance points. A Course Walk is done at a specified time before the Driverless Skid Pad event.

Penalties:

  1. A 0.125-second penalty for each cone knocked down or out of position (indicated by a chalk square at the base of the cone).
  2. A DQ/DNF for an unsafe stop, including any stop as a result of a remote e-stop trigger or any other Emergency Braking System maneuver, an off course, or an incorrect number of laps.

All cones in the dynamic area can be scored as penalties. This includes cones before the start line and after the finish line.

Supplemental Regulations:

  • All Driverless Skid Pad runs must be started within the published schedule. However, the Event Captain may adjust the schedule based on event conditions.
  • NO tools, computers, and/or spare parts are permitted in the staging lanes.
  • NO "traction enhancing" agents are permitted to be used on the tires or track surface.
  • NO "burnouts" are permitted.
  • Within the Skid Pad Dynamic Area, other than the Staging Lanes, Tractive Systems may be started in accordance with Paddock rules.
  • The car will have up to 30 seconds to start a run after the GO signal has been given by the Driverless System Officer (DSO) at the direction of the Official.
  • A DQ and/or a 25-point penalty may be assessed by the Event Captain for infractions committed in the staging area, start line or return lane, or any act deemed to be unsafe by the Event Captain.

Procedure:

  1. Teams will stage in a queue where they will be directed to enable the Race Mode on their Remote Stop System (RSS) by the event workers.
  2. Cars may be pushed to the Start Line when directed to do so by an Event Worker. An Event Worker will stage the car 15m from the Start Line before the EBS brakes are activated.
  3. The DSO and event worker will start the procedure of getting the car in the Ready State. In this state the Driverless System Status Indicator (DSSI) is solid Yellow.
  4. The car must transition to the Driving state (DSSI is flashing yellow) and start a DV Skid Pad Run within 30 seconds of the DSO pressing the GO button on the RSS. If the vehicle does not start moving within 30 seconds, the run is a DNF. Timing starts when any part of the car crosses the Start Line. The DV Skidpad Run is counted (one of the permitted DV Skid Pad Runs) when any part of the car crosses the Start Line. Timing ends when any part of the car crosses the Finish Line, and the Finish Line light is triggered.
  5. After crossing the Finish Line, the car must apply the brakes and stop in a controlled manner in the designated stop area. Stopping outside the stop area for more than 30 seconds, driving all four wheels outside the skidpad lane, or any E-stop event will count as a DNF.
  6. The car must transition to the Finished state (DSSI is solid blue) within 30 seconds of stopping in the designated stop area for the run to count, otherwise it is a DNF.
  7. At the direction of the Official, the DSO will be instructed to press the E-stop after the run is confirmed.
  8. Once the E-stop has been pressed, the DSO must return the race key to the appropriate event worker, obtain the team’s training e-key, and proceed to collect their car.