DJ Says Get Your Vehicle Ready Before Finke.

People focus on the race vehicles. But the support vehicles and spectator cars do serious kilometres on serious terrain during Finke weekend.

226km of corrugated red dirt track. Creek crossings. Dust clouds you can barely see through. Recovery situations. The same chassis stress that makes Finke hard on race vehicles makes it hard on everything else out there.

Start Now — Not in May

If you're planning to head out to Finke — whether as a race support crew or just spectating — your vehicle prep should start a couple of months before, not the week before.

Why? Because if we find something that needs fixing, we need time to get parts and do the work properly. A rushed brake job the day before you leave is not the same as a brake job done right with time to test it.

Pre-Finke Checklist

• Suspension — every bush, every shock, ball joints and tie rod ends. These are the components most stressed by corrugated roads at speed.
• Brakes — full inspection. Pads, rotors, caliper slides, fluid condition.
• Tyres — tread depth, sidewall condition, and pressure management for corrugated tracks. Do you have a quality spare? Two spares if you're going remote support?
• Cooling system — racing conditions generate significant heat. Your coolant needs to be fresh and your cooling system leak-free.
• Electrical — lights, recovery gear electrics, fridge and accessory loads. Make sure your battery and alternator can handle it.
• Recovery gear — this is about the vehicle but also about preparation. Know how your gear works before you need it.

Book Early

We get busy before Finke. If you want your vehicle properly checked and sorted before race weekend, book in at least 6 - 8 weeks out.