Bucking BRONCO

ROAD REGISTERED PRE-RUNNERS ARE A RARE SIGHT ON AUSTRALIAN TRACKS MAKING RICHIE CLUNES’ BAJA-INSPIRED BRONCO ALL THE MORE IMPRESSIVE

- WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS

Pre-runner.

It’s a term we hear a lot in the 4x4 world, particularly if you follow the US off-road scene, but what does it mean? What is a pre-runner?

Pre-runners are the vehicles off-road race teams and drivers use to reconnoitre the race course ahead of the start. The vehicles used for pre-running can be anything from state-of-the-art race trucks to older race vehicles, built recreational 4x4s and off-the-shelf side-by-side ATVs.

Some of the more elaborate vehicles used for pre-running are Trophy Trucks decked out with a sealed cabin, more comfortable seats, air-con, sound systems and interior trim to make the job of recon easier on the team.

In the USA, these reconfigured race vehicles often wear licence plates and it’s not uncommon to see them driven on the road.

Pre-runners are super capable, fast and look cool, and as a result the style has migrated to road-going vehicles, something that is easier to do in the USA than it is here in Australia. But the look is creeping in at various levels and one of the best examples we’ve seen to date is this Ford Bronco from Richie Clunes. Richie is the man behind Radius Fabrications, where they make everything from stainless steel snorkels and airboxes to complete hot rods and off-road race buggies. So it’s safe to say Richie is handy with a welder and a pile of steel tube and sheet.

Richie put his talents to the test in turning this 1984 Ford Bronco into the pre-runner you see now, and it’s one of the best examples of the style we’ve seen in Australia to date.