Adrian Burgess has spent more than three decades in top-level motorsport. He worked at McLaren as a mechanic and engineer from 1991 to 1998, went on to sporting director roles in Formula 1, then became one of the most experienced team managers in Australian Supercars with Dick Johnson Racing, Triple Eight and the Holden Racing Team before taking on the team principal role at Team 18.
In this video, filmed in the Team 18 garage alongside the #20 Snowy River Caravans Camaro, Adrian looks at the race car drink system the way an engineer does: as a piece of race-critical equipment that has to package, survive and service as well as everything else on the car.
The engineering checklist for a race car drink system
Whether you run a Supercars team or a club GT car, these are the questions worth asking of any driver hydration system.
1. Packaging
Cockpit space is tight and every location is contested by seats, safety structure, electronics and fire systems. A good drink system packages compactly, places the bottle where the crew can reach it quickly, and keeps the hose run short and clear of the driver's controls.
2. Mounting and vibration
A race car punishes every bracket. The mount has to hold the pump and bottle securely through kerb strikes, vibration and high g-loads, and adapt to different chassis layouts. RamHydrate uses an adjustable mount machined from 6061 aluminium to cover a wide range of positions.
3. Heat management
Cockpit temperatures climb well above ambient during long stints. Double-wall vacuum-insulated bottles and an insulated drink hose keep the fluid cool from bottle to helmet, so the driver drinks something worth drinking late in the stint.
4. Reliability
A drink system that fails mid-race costs a driver concentration in the closing laps. Engineers look for proven pumps, quality fittings and a one-way valve that holds fluid in the line and prevents siphoning. Control-supply status across the whole Gen3 Supercars grid is about as tough a reliability test as exists.
5. Serviceability in the pits
During a stop, every second matters. A quick-change bottle lets the crew swap a fresh, cold bottle in moments, and RamConnect quick-release radio and drink connections let drivers connect in one movement at a driver change.
6. Electrical integration
The pump needs clean power and a button the driver can reach. RamHydrate connects through motorsport-standard plugs, with wiring looms to suit common connector types including Deutsch DTM, Autosport, DT and D4 (Ferrari), plus a steering wheel drink button and wiring.
7. Hygiene and maintenance
A system that is easy to flush and recondition stays race-ready all season. Use drink system cleaning fluid between events and the RamHydrate reconditioning kit to return a unit to factory-new condition.
Drink system types compared
| System type | How it delivers | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Passive bladder or sipper | Driver sucks fluid through the line | Short sprint sessions and entry-level racing |
| Pumped bottle system | Electric pump delivers fluid at the press of a button | Endurance racing and closed cockpits |
| Pumped quick-change system (RamHydrate) | Electric pump plus a bottle the crew swaps in a pit stop | Professional endurance racing, Supercars, GT and Cup categories |
Built by people who have worked the pit lane
Rampage Race Products was founded at Queensland Raceway by Mike Elkington after decades in Australian top-tier motorsport as a race engineer, mechanic and pit crew member. Every RamHydrate system is designed around the same checklist above, which is why it became the control drink system for Gen3 Supercars. Read the full story in From Queensland Raceway to Formula 1.
Watch the full Team 18 series
- Craig Lowndes on RamHydrate at Bathurst 2026
- The engineering view with Adrian Burgess (this article)
- How to install a race car drink system: Team 18 Gen3 Supercar fit-out
FAQ
What should I look for in a race car drink system?
Compact packaging, a secure adjustable mount, insulated bottles and hose, a proven pump with a one-way valve, a quick-change bottle for pit stops, motorsport-standard wiring and easy cleaning.
Is a pumped drink system better than a passive sipper?
For endurance racing and closed cockpits, a pumped system delivers fluid at the press of a button, so the driver hydrates with minimal effort and distraction.
Which connectors does RamHydrate support?
Wiring looms are available for Deutsch DTM, Autosport, DT and D4 (Ferrari) connectors, plus a steering wheel button and wiring.
Who is Adrian Burgess?
Adrian Burgess is a former McLaren Formula 1 mechanic and engineer who has managed several leading Australian Supercars teams and leads Team 18.
Engineer your car's hydration properly. Explore RamHydrate drink systems or call +61 435 729 687 for advice on your installation.
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Craig Lowndes on RamHydrate: The Drink System in Every Gen3 Supercar at Bathurst 2026