Supercars in-car hazard warning light system nearing trial

Supercars is continuing to develop an in-car hazard warning lights system for drivers which could be trialled at upcoming events.

An electronic dash warning light system similar to the one trialled at this year’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour has been on Supercars’ wish list this season with software being tested at last weekend’s Ipswich SuperSprint.

The system intends to alert drivers of several upcoming hazards on the car’s dash. These included all flag warnings issued by race control.

Developed by MoTeC, the system is linked to race control and works in conjunction with the car’s data loggers and telemetry.

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If a danger is spotted race control can activate the system which will trigger the warning light inside the car to warn the driver of any impending hazards ahead.

A move to introduce the system was triggered by a crash at last year’s Bathurst 12 Hour when an unsighted John Martin struck a stricken Audi of Ash Walsh at McPhillamy Park.

Speedcafe.com understands Supercars is nearing a point where the system could be trialled at the OTR SuperSprint from August 23-25.

Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess indicated earlier this season that he expected a trial would take place this season once all the bugs had been ironed out.

Shane van Gisbergen has raced with similar systems in GT racing and is looking forward to its implementation in Supercars.

“In the future it will come up with a yellow flag and blue flags automatically in the car,” said van Gisbergen.

“Especially when we get to Bathurst – where a lot of the stuff is unsighted, you’ll get a big warning on the dash, yellow flag or blue flags – it’s going to be a big improvement.

“I’ve had it in America in the past and it works really well.

“Everyone just shuts it down when they see a yellow and it’s the way we’ve got to go.”

The warning light system follows moves to introduce LED information panels on the cars which uses data to display a car’s position during a session to fans at race tracks.