I have noticed that in AI and online matches I almost always pick up shields or turbos while in the lead. If I am dead last and far behind, I usually get shields and turbos. When close behind the leader I usually pick up missles or leach beams. When in the middle of the pack I almost always pick up rockets, mines or bombs. Quakes seem totally random.

There is slight randomness to pickups but.... not. Very rarely am I surprised by what I pick up. If I need a turbo, that is usually what I get. If I am in a situation where I need a missle, I usually pick one up. Usually being maybe 8 out of 10 times.