Rising temperatures are set to provide Supercars rookies Alex Rullo and Simona de Silvestro an added challenge as the pair make Clipsal 500 main game debuts this weekend.

Traditionally one of the hottest and most gruelling races on the Supercars calendar, weather forecasters are predicting temperatures reaching 37c degrees during race week.

Although equipped with cool suits to arrest body temperatures in the cockpit, keeping cool and hydrated will prove imperative for drivers during the two brutal 250km races.

The experience will be new for Lucas Dumbrell Motorsports’s 16-year-old new signing Rullo and Nissan Motorsport’s former IndyCar star de Silvestro.

Adapting to the searing Adelaide heat has been factored into preparations ahead of their Clipsal 500 debuts.

Rullo ran without the use of a cool suit and helmet fan during last week’s Sydney Motorsport test to simulate the conditions.

The teenager’s fitness program ahead the new season has been hampered by appendicitis, but the youngest ever Supercars driver says he feels comfortable in the hot conditions.

Following a strong test, Rullo is focussing on his own program for his Supercars debut.

“I had my appendix out five weeks ago so I have been off the weights, but I have been on the bike,” Rullo, who unveiled his LDM Commodore yesterday, told Speedcafe.com.

“We didn’t run a helmet fan or a cool suit during the test so it was good to get used to that if anything fails at Clipsal.

“Everyone will be competitive at Clipsal but we will stay to our own program and do our own thing.”

Fellow rookie de Silvestro has trained at high altitude in Europe before heading to Australia to aid fitness levels ahead of her maiden full-time Supercars campaign.

The 28-year-old Swiss has stepped up her heat training since arriving down under, but admits the weather conditions will prove to be a challenge.

“These cars are hot for sure,” de Silvestro told Speedcafe.com.

“I think I’m in pretty good shape but it is something I am going to have to get used to.

“In open wheel racing there is a lot of fresh air in the cockpit.

“This is the hardest part (not having the fresh air). I think the heat is something you can deal with but it is going to be interesting.”

Blistering hot temperatures coupled with cool suit failures have resulted in scary incidents for drivers in the past at the Clipsal 500.

A decade ago Steve Owen was a victim of overheating when his cool suit malfunctioned, which resulted in his body beginning to shut down due to the intense temperatures.

While he admits cool suit technology has improved, he is advising both rookies not to take undue risks if such an issue occurs this weekend.

“You can die from being too hot,” Owen told Speedcafe.com.

“Once you get to a certain point your body already begins to shut down. The temperature I had at Adelaide was the highest the medics have ever seen.

“If everything works ok you are fine.

“But the drivers must be aware that if the cool suit fails you are not the best judge of whether you are feeling ok as your perception becomes a little bit distorted.

“I think if those guys are on top of the game they shouldn’t have a problem but if you have a failure you need to communicate to your team.

“If you are not feeling well with five laps to go you can probably get there, but if there is 50 laps to go you are probably going to be in hospital.”

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide begins on Thursday with 250km races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday afternoon.