Updated 3.16.2026
Everyone (participants, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators) at Formula SAE Electric would like to enjoy an accident-free event. Rules listed alphabetically must be followed.
ASSIGNED PADDOCK: Each team is assigned one paddock location. Teams must operate within their assigned paddock spot. Only the FSAE trailer (and truck if not detaching) or commercial rental truck will be parked in paddock. All other vehicles must park outside the oval in the MIS Fan Zone. For details, see Event Site Review.
BEHAVIOR POLICY: All participants are expected to maintain professional courtesy and conduct.
- Prohibited devices: Motorcycles, quads, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, or similar personal transportation devices are not allowed anywhere in the competition area, including paddocks. Self-propelled pit carts, toolboxes, and tire carriers are also prohibited.
- Prohibited substances and items: Alcohol, marijuana (any use), illegal drugs, weapons, or any other illegal materials are strictly prohibited on site.
- Pets: No pets are allowed.
- Footwear: Closed-toe shoes are mandatory; open-toe shoes are not permitted.
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.
ENERGIZING TRACTIVE SYSTEM: Teams may not energize the tractive system until they receive the “OK to Energize” sticker from EV Tech and display it on the roll hoop. An Electrical Safety Officer (ESO) must be present for any activation of the tractive system.
In the paddock, the vehicle may only be activated if it complies with Rule D.2.3: it must display the “OK to Energize” sticker, be supported on an adequate stand, and have the drive wheels either at least 10 cm (4 in) off the ground or removed entirely. No one may be underneath the vehicle while the tractive system is active.
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: Fire extinguisher required with vehicle in paddock or moving. Driver does not hold it. Team member must hold extinguisher while car is running. Keep extinguisher accessible. Notify organizers if discharged. All team members must know how to use it.
FUEL AND OIL: No open fuel containers. All fuel containers must be DOT approved. Waste oil, etc., is to be taken to the tilt test area 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. All required PPE for electrical work is mandatory onsite.
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 compactors!
ALL trash (including broken parts, old furniture, worn out tires or other materials) must be removed at the end of the event by student team. (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 D.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
- The detachable handle or key of the tractive system master switch must be taken off completely and kept by an Electrical Safety Officer (ESO).
- In the event the car has not passed Tractive Battery Inspection, the HVD must be disconnected while the car is moved around on the event site. This also includes teams who Tractive Battery Pack have passed Tractive Battery Inspection and participating in static events.
WORKING ON THE VEHICLE: Activities on the energized tractive system or Tractive Battery Pack must take place in the Hot Work area located in G2. An Electrical Safety Officer (ESO) and at least one more team member, who can intervene in case of emergency, must attend every activity where the tractive system is on. Only members of your team and Scrutineers are allowed to stay behind the barrier tape/markings. After any activity on the tractive system during which seals were broken an E-Scrutineering Inspection is mandatory!
Work on the energized tractive system or Tractive Battery Pack must satisfy the following guidelines:
- Car/Tractive Battery Pack must be separated with barriers
- All team members working on the system must wear appropriate PPE
- Insulated tools must be used when working on any live circuit
- A sign is clearly visible stating “High Voltage Work” including the maximum voltage of the system being worked on and the name/contact info of the ESO.
- At least one team member must not be directly involved in the work conducted on the Tractive Battery Pack but must be there to assist in case of an incident.
Activities on the de-energized tractive system outside the Tractive Battery Pack may be performed in the paddock. The following procedure must be followed:
- Switch off the tractive system master switch and lock out per team procedure.
- Open/Remove the HV disconnect
- Check for zero-potential using the three-point test
- Install a sign, that declares the car as electrically secured/de-energized. Note the name of the ESO supervising the activities on the sign. The ESO is the only person who may remove the sign and re-energize the tractive system.
All other work on the vehicle chassis should take place in the team paddocks or at the Machine Shop Trailer and Welding Tent.
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; supervision may be required.
