Supercars mandates new driver cooling measures

Supercars has mandated revised driver health and welfare rules ahead of the betr Darwin Triple Crown.

New regulations have been confirmed from the June 19-21 event in Darwin, which is traditionally one of the hottest events of the season.

In revised regulations, released alongside the 2026 Darwin track schedule, Supercars has mandated both the helmet air and cool suit be in use when the heat policy is active.

Previously, “one or more” of the three cooling methods — helmet air, cool suit and seat air — was required to be operational when the ambient forecast is above 32.9 degrees.

Per Rule C15, Supercars officials can monitor temperate readings in real time via sensors in the cars.

It comes after Broc Feeney, Will Brown and David Reynolds encountered cool suit issues in the Sydney finale, which was held in hot, humid conditions.

The revised rules state: "If the predicted maximum ambient temperature of the day as advised by the Bureau of Meteorology ((www.bom.gov.au) including its international affiliates) at 0800 hours is forecast to be above 32.9ºC for the nearest Town or City to the Circuit (as nominated in the Supplementary Regulations for the Event), each Car must have a Driver cooling system fitted and operational for all Sessions, excluding Event Rides, on that day.

"3.4.4.1 The Driver’s cooling system must be able to reduce the Driver’s body core temperature using both methods listed below operating independently of each other:

"a) Supplying a constant stream of air to the Driver’s helmet at a temperature lower than 25ºC, monitored and recorded by the systems in accordance with Rule C15;

"and b) Supply a flow of water to the Driver’s cool suit vest at a temperature lower than 25ºC, monitored and recorded by the systems in accordance with Rule C15.”

The 2026 season resumes in Tasmania on May 22-24.