Winch ChallengeShort Course
Buckle up and hold on tight — rugged, radical adventures on the toughest terrain. Massive hill climbs, huge winches, big horsepower.
All Terrain, Action Packed
Short Course Winch Challenge events are fast paced racing over a few days. These events pack enormous amounts of action into a multi-day format, combining massive hill climbs, technical winch stages, and fast forest sections into one incredible weekend.
If you've ever wanted to throw a winch on your 4WD and hit some of the hardest terrain you can think of, this is your event. Short course events are more accessible than their long-course cousins, making them an ideal entry point into competitive winch challenge racing.
"Buckle up and hold on tight. Wilddog 4×4 Racing Winch Challenge is made for rugged, radical adventures in magnificent forests of regional Victoria." — Wilddog 4×4 Racing
There's a Class for You
Short course events cater to a range of builds and budgets. You don't need a purpose-built machine to get started — you just need a capable 4WD with some key safety gear.
CHALLENGE AND OPEN CLASS
These are the traditional winch trucks — high-performance machines with low range setups capable of 120km/h+, massive winches, and big horsepower. Highly modified rigs that take years to build and deliver breathtaking performance. Purpose-built buggies also race alongside these trucks in their own category.
WEEKEND WARRIOR
Use your hardcore weekender to tackle modified versions of the courses the "Big guys" run on. With a reduced 4 point ROPS requirement, you can race your weekend weapon against your mates. Courses are risk mitigated and speed controlled to allow a safe environment to dip your toes into the adventure of winch truck racing.
The Event Experience
TOUGH STAGES
Compete through dramatic terrain — technical, fast, and unforgettable. Stages test vehicle capability and driver instinct.
Camp-Based Events
Events run over multiple days with camping at the venue. It's a community experience as much as a competition.
Winch Stages
Purpose-designed winch sections challenge your recovery skills — not just how fast you are, but how smart you recover.
Hill Climbs
Massive hill climbs are a signature feature — spectacular to watch and exhilarating to drive. Crowd favourites every time.
Your Pathway In
Join CCDA
Start with CCDA membership. This gives you the insurance coverage required to compete at all CCDA-sanctioned events including Winch Challenge events.
Review the Vehicle Requirements
Check the CCDA rules and specifications for your class.
Get Your Vehicle Scrutineered
Complete the required CCDA scrutineering forms and have your vehicle inspected before your first event. Your logbook is your competition passport.
Register for an Event
Head to the event calendar to view upcoming events and register your team. The Wilddog Winch Challenge runs annually in regional Victoria — don't miss it.
Wilddog 4×4 Racing
Wilddog 4×4 Racing runs the flagship short course winch challenge events in Victoria's magnificent forests. Their annual Wilddog Winch Challenge event attracts competitors and spectators from across Australia.