Book King of the Hammers Prep Course: Tactical 3‑Month Roadmap

3‑Month King of the Hammers Prep Plan: Day‑by‑Day Training & Transport

Introduction: Focused three‑month plan wins

Preparation + Luck = Survival.
This focused plan turns scattered weekend drills into a predictable path that gets you ready for King of the Hammers.

You’ll get a week‑by‑week training schedule, tactical vehicle checklists, winch and recovery drills, a packing manifest, transport steps, and exactly when to book SoCalX coaching or FR8 Factory off road vehicle transportation. Read the 3‑day sample mid‑plan to see how daily work looks in real life. Limited KOH seats are available — reserve early.

This guide is field‑tested for busy professionals who want practical steps. Short paragraphs, clear checklists, and coach‑style calls make this easy to scan between shifts.

Who is this KOH plan for and how do I self‑check?

Rookie or intermediate? Quick test: if you hesitate on 20–30% grades, you're a rookie. If you can swap a wheel, use a winch under supervision, and finish full‑day trails, you're intermediate. Pick the rookie track to slow progression and add repetition. Pick the intermediate track to push endurance and advanced recoveries.

Assign roles now. Logistics Lead books transport and camp spots. Crew Chief manages parts, vehicle modifications and equipment. Coach runs drills and records video. Solo runners split roles across weekends and book a mid‑plan SoCalX assessment: Overlander & training.

Month 1: Baseline off road racer skills and vehicle prep

What should I do in Week 1–4: vehicle inspection and baseline driving?

Start simple.
Week 1: Systems audit and shop day.

• Morning: run the Baseline Vehicle Prep checklist below. Mark parts that need same‑week replacement.
• Afternoon: source parts, tighten fasteners, and mount spares. Put everything in one Google Sheet.
• Evening: test comms and charge power banks.

Week 2: Short drives and controlled drills.

• Drive 45–90 minutes on mixed surfaces. Focus on throttle and clutch control.
• Run five slow‑crawl attempts on a short technical pitch. 

Week 3: Partner practice and timed tasks.

• Pair with a partner for recovery drills and line spotter drills. Time every task. Cut time targets by 20% each session.
• Run a 3–5 hour trail loaded with gear to simulate fatigue.

Week 4: Pro baseline assessment.

• Book a SoCalX baseline check to validate progress and get a prioritized punch list: Overlander Skills & Off ROad Race training.
• Use coach feedback to shape Month 2 focus areas.

Weekly driving drills to log

• Slow‑crawl: focus on tire placement and momentum control.
• Hill‑hold restart: practice stopping and restarting on steep grades.
• Downhill control: use engine braking and spotter cues.
• Steering through traction: move the vehicle at varying speeds through loose ruts to feel grip shifts.

Coach’s tip

Record one short clip per drill. A minute of footage helps a coach correct line choice faster than a 20‑minute lecture.

Short outcome note.
After Month 1 you should know which parts might need priority replacement and have baseline metrics for time and mistakes. That makes Month 2 far more focused.

What baseline vehicle prep checks should I do (8 items)?

• Inspect suspension mounts and frame welds for cracks.
• Verify tire pressures, sizes, and spare condition.
• Check differential and transfer case fluids for contamination.
• Test recovery points for proper welds and rated shackles.
• Secure battery, electronics, and fuse protection.
• Tighten steering components and inspect tie‑rod ends.
• Replace worn ball joints and cracked CV boots.
• Label spare parts with part numbers and torque specs.

Why these matter.
Missing any of the above turns a weekend fix into a mid‑race stop. Fix the high‑risk items first: recovery points, steering, and tires.

Tools and sourcing

• Use a calibrated torque wrench, heavy‑duty jack, and a compression tester. Local off‑road shops and specialty online vendors are good for hard‑to‑find pieces. See the transport prep walkthrough for loading tips: Vehicle transport plan.

When should I book transport and what should I include?

Book FR8 Factory transport early—aim for 8–10 weeks out: FR8 Factory transport.
Put down a deposit to hold your slot.

Buy shipping insurance that covers agreed vehicle value. Add GPS tracking to your transport order for live ETA updates. Include a SoCalX pre‑ship inspection to ensure load security and tie‑down integrity before driver pickup.

SoCalX recommendation

• Add a SoCalX vehicle‑prep inspection to your transport booking. The team verifies tie‑downs, load balance, and pit manifests before the truck departs.

Month 1 secures the rig. Month 2 builds technical skill.

Month 2: Technical skills and on‑track training

What should my week‑by‑week focus and structure look like?

Week 1: Winch and recovery fundamentals.

• Run anchor selection practice, rope care, and basic pulley setups. Start light and increase complexity.

Week 2: Rock‑crawling week.

• Practice line reading, weight transfer, and controlled wheel placement. Use a dedicated spotter and record runs.

Week 3: Navigation and communications.

• Practice route following with Gaia GPS and rehearse check‑ins using a Garmin inReach. Simulate an SOS and test response times.

Week 4: Night driving and long‑day endurance.

• Run a night shuttle to practice beam aim and fatigue management. Do one long‑day (6–8 hours) to practice rapid pit stops and driver rotation.

Session length and metrics

• Keep quality sessions to 3–5 hours. Track four metrics: completion time, mistakes per run, recovery execution time, and mechanic task time. Use the sheet to measure improvement.

Tools to use

• Use Gaia GPS for route practice and Garmin inReach for emergency protocol testing.

Coach’s tip

When you practice navigation, run without voice prompts first. Force the crew to communicate clear grid and bearing calls.

Short winch primer.
Winching is a sequence, not a single action. Anchor choice, line care, and controlled pulls matter more than brute pull speed.

Which winch drills should I master?

1. Practice anchor selection and secure backups.
2. Rig a winch line under light load and inspect synthetic rope.
3. Execute a controlled recovery while monitoring winch temperature.
4. Rehearse a mechanical advantage pull using snatch blocks.

Safety calls and common mistakes

• Use a dampener on the winch line. Stand clear of the recovery zone. Avoid shock loads by taking up slack slowly. Don’t rush a failed anchor.

SoCalX winch clinics

• For hands‑on coaching from veteran instructors, book a SoCalX clinic: Master KOH. Training integrates KOH‑specific techniques and pro insights from leaders like Bailey Cole: Bailey Cole Racing.

What partner drills should I run (6 drills)?

• Run a slow‑crawl partner course with spotter swaps.
• Swap roles for navigation practice.
• Time a complete recovery under 10 minutes.
• Practice trailer hookup under simulated stress.
• Simulate a wheel swap and aim for under 15 minutes.
• Rehearse an emergency evac plan with comms.

Measure and review

• Use helmet cams and stopwatch. Debrief with the crew and set a single improvement target for the next session.

When should I book a mid‑plan validation with SoCalX and what does it include?

Book a SoCalX mid‑plan training day to validate progress and correct bad habits: Overlander Skills & Off Road Race training.
You’ll get coach feedback, timed drills, and VIP KOH tips. Slots fill fast—reserve early.

Mid‑plan day sample (3‑day micro‑schedule)
Day 1: Skill focus

• Morning: winch drills (2 hours).
• Afternoon: slow‑crawl practice (3 runs).
• Evening: debrief and adjust goals.

Day 2: Navigation and endurance

• Morning: route navigation with Gaia GPS (2 hours).
• Afternoon: long drive with pit stops (4–6 hours).
• Evening: kit inventory and parts ordering.

Day 3: Mock event and recovery

• Morning: timed recovery relay.
• Midday: simulate a stage under fatigue.
• Afternoon: video review and final adjustments.

This daily sample shows how to split time and priorities. Use it mid‑plan to sharpen readiness.

Finish Month 2 confident on recoveries and technical lines. Month 3 is all logistics and a final rehearsal.

Month 3: Event logistics and final runthrough

What should my four‑week countdown and mock day include?

Week −4  Parts swap and torque pass.

• Replace worn items. Do a full torque pass. Then test drive.

Week −3  Pack spares and build pit kits.

• Label boxes and pre‑pack tool boards for fast access.

Week −2  Mock event and long day.

• Run a full‑day trial with timed stages, pit stops, and driver changes.

Week −1  Final systems check and crew briefing.

• One short systems check. One 45‑minute crew briefing. Confirm roles and contingency plans.

Mock day script

• Morning: systems check (battery, fluids, tire pressures).
• Midday: short technical pre runs.
• Afternoon: load simulation and tie‑down test.
• Evening: debrief, rest strategy, and hand‑off to transport.

What should I pack and which spares are critical (10 items)?

• Pack 2x spare axle components.
• Secure spare hubs and knuckles.
• Stow full recovery kit: snatch straps, D‑rings, tree savers.
• Inventory fluids and filters.
• Prepare spare electronics and sensor harnesses.
• Pack a tire repair kit with compressor and bead‑seater.
• Label fasteners by task (suspension, driveline).
• Pre‑build spare driveline sections with U‑joints.
• Pack a trauma medical kit and evacuation plan.
• Charge team comms and pack backup batteries.

Why these suggested items.
At KOH, a fast parts swap beats hunting for rare parts. Labeling and pre‑built spares reduce replacement time and cut error rates during late‑night fixes.

Printable checklist

• Convert this into a two‑page printable for pit use. Share with crew and store a digital copy.

What final transport and seat steps should I take (5 actions)?

1. Book FR8 Factory transport and confirm ETA windows: FR8 Factory Race Vehicle transport.
2. Confirm campsite and pit space coordinates with the crew captain.
3. Finalize seat manifests and volunteer crew assignments.
4. Send a clear pickup/drop schedule to the carrier with emergency contacts.
5. Share a digital manifest with SoCalX if using their pit support package.

SoCalX logistics bundle

• Consider SoCalX full logistics: door‑to‑door transport plus pit support. See the transport blog for planning details: KOH vehicle transport plan.

How does SoCalX help across the plan?

Which SoCalX services map to each month?

Month 1: baseline inspections and shop day.

• SoCalX offers a baseline inspection that prioritizes safety items and parts sourcing: KOH Skills training.

Month 2: winch clinics and rock teams.

• Book focused clinics for timed drills and technique corrections: Master KOH. These sessions deliver coach corrections you can’t get from videos.

Month 3: transport and pit support.

• SoCalX coordinates FR8 Factory shipping and provides pit mechanics and crew logistics: FR8 Factory transport.

How does the Rookies program lead to a pro pathway?

• Join the Rookies program for structured KOH prep and progression: KOH Race Rookies program.
• Graduates can move into pro racing support and promotion: Pro off road racing pathway.

SoCalX recommendations (practical)

• Month 1: book a SoCalX inspection during your shop day if you can’t verify tie‑downs or steering integrity.
• Month 2: schedule one winch clinic to validate technique and avoid bad habits.
• Month 3: combine FR8 Factory transport with SoCalX pit mechanics for door‑to‑door service and on‑site support.
• Gear up with KOH hoodies before you go: Shop Socalx apparel.

Booking example (how it works)

• Next session: 02/15/2026 — Seats left: 6.
• Booking flow: 25% deposit to reserve, balance due 30 days out. Use the booking page to see live dates and seat counts. When you reserve, upload your preliminary manifest and vehicle photos so the SoCalX team can start pre‑checks.

How much does it cost and are seats limited?

Use a small deposit to hold a seat and lock transport. A 25% deposit is standard; apply the remainder later. Seat counts are limited for hands‑on clinics because the coach‑to‑student ratio matters. Pricing varies by service: a baseline inspection is priced separately from a multi‑day clinic or full logistics package. Contact SoCalX for a custom quote and a clear, itemized estimate.

Practical booking tip.
Book training and transport separately but on overlapping windows. That gives you options if transport changes and keeps your training dates firm.

Conclusion: Trade stress for trail freedom

Follow this three‑month plan and trade planning headaches for confidence on technical lines.
You’ll finish knowing which parts to swap, how to manage recoveries under pressure, and how to hand off logistics without last‑minute chaos.  Arrive calm. Race sharp.