Pit Display

The Pit Display is a showcase of your team identity and your project elements! This booth like element is all about showing off your accomplishments and the processes that your team took to get to competition. If you’ve ever seen pictures of a trade show or promotional booth at a sporting event, you could compare it to a Pit Display. Since the Pit Display items are required to be transported to competition as hand carried items, trade show booths are a good example of displays that are often collapsible and easily transported around the county.

Some important considerations to note (and to double check the current rules for) include…

Competition Class Differences –
- It’s important to note the difference between Professional Class and Development Class pit displays! Professional class displays are freestanding within a (typically) 10ftx3ftx8ft area, while the development class features “tabletop” displays and utilize a (typically) 6ftx3ft table. Specific dimensions for these displays change from competition to competition depending on venue accommodations, so a specific document will be posted for each competition with size and power constraints.

Shipping requirements –
- The items that make up your pit display must be hand carried into the venue or shipped via the specified freight information. This information is released to team ahead of competition, typically after registration. Since freight requirements change from venue to venue, there may be competitions where your display components may have to be carried into the event by your team! - Consider this when designing your display and selecting materials.
Setup –
- There is a two-hour Pit Display setup time before competition begins. It will be specified in the competition program ahead of times and all teams must be present. It you take longer than the time limit, you may face penalties. It’s a good idea to practice putting your display together at your school before you pack your display for competition to make sure you can build it safely within two hours. This is also a great time to create an assembly plan for your team and assign tasks to members.
Health and Safety Considerations –
- Only team members may assembly the Pit Display at competition (unless deemed as a health and safety issue by judges prior). Make sure you consider the risks during assembly include items that may need to be lifted, potential sharp edges, and trip hazards. It may be necessary for your team to have personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves to carry an object with a sharp edge, if your items pose a risk. Don’t forget step ladders too if you need them – AT NO TIME CAN YOU STAND ON A CHAIR. Items such as ladders and PPE do not count as part of your display items. PRO TIP: It’s also important to note these risks ahead of time and document the consideration you’ve given them. Discuss this in your Pit Display interview as part of your Pit Display design process!
Pit Display Size –
- Keep in mind that any items that protrude the specified size may result in a penalty for your team. All elements must be always within the bounds. This includes projections of your team’s logo on the ground or ceiling, flags, chairs, etc. Don’t worry, this doesn’t include team members though!
Keep Volume in Mind –
- While you will likely have access to a power outlet and may chose to include videos or other elements with sound within your display, volume limits should be appropriate and you may be asked to turn the volume down, or off completely, by judges. Keep in mind that team may be asked to turn off their sound (ex. during certain racing times) or sounds from many different booths may be confusing, so it may be a good idea to include subtitles on all videos so your Pit Display visitors can still view your content.