We at Rough Rider race in winch challenges in Australia. Winch challenges are a tough and rugged breed of racing that challenges teams both mentally and physically and demands the best of your skill as a team.

We got started the same way as everyone else by just going out and enjoying driving the bush tracks and camping with mates.

Always wanting to find that next challenge to tackle. We met up with Greg Smith From Smithies Outback Gear and he exposed us to the world of winch challenges and the obsession grew out of control from there. We went as spectators to a few events such as 07 Vic winch, Round 1 Of the 08 Engel Series, and 08 Cliffhanger in White Cliffs NSW.

The truck over this period was undergoing a fairly big over haul to gear it towards racing and in October 08 we had our first race at Vic Winch in Bulla Victoria. It was a great weekend of racing and proved rewarding for Owen and Scott (aka Richie). They came home with the 3rd place trophy! As many of you may know, 4 wheel driving is an addiction and that addiction drives us to further modify our trucks. So stay tuned to see the team evolve.

Truck Specs

• Nissan Patrol LWB (Now with UTE CHOP)
• Gen 4 LS2  6Litre 
• 3 inch ride pro coils
• 2 inch body lift
• Custom trailing arms (19mm longer)
• Adjustable panhard rods front and rear
• Adjustable Drag link
• 30mm spaced shock towers
• 4 Tough Dog big bore adjustable shocks
• 37 Maxxis Trepadores
• 17inch rims with bead locks
• Chopped guards with flexible flares
• Rear Quarter panel cut
• Custom rear bars to protect quarters
• 4.6 Gear ratios
• Front and Rear Arb air lockers
• 2 On board compressors and air tank
• F.A.T Bullbar 
• Chrome grill
• Warn High Mount Winch
• Plasma rope
• Lightforce spotlights HID's
• Custom Light bar with Pnumatic ram.
• GME uhf
• 6 point internal roll cage.
• Monza Racing harnesses
• Monza Race Seats
• Dual batteries
• Custom 4 inch snorkel
• 80 series bumpstops to aid in landing.
• Hydraulic Bump Stops
• 4 L80E Manualised Auto
• B&M Pro Ratchet Shifter