Updated October 7, 2026
Pre-Race Checks let you prepare your equipped systems and Abilities before a race starts.
By entering the short button sequences shown during the preparation phase, you can prime systems such as Afterburner and Vent, while certain Abilities can receive an improved first activation.
Other benefits can depend on your loadout. For example, Status Scrubber can make the Perfect Start window much larger, while Autopilot has a special interaction that can help prime your other equipped Abilities.
So yes, Pre-Race Checks are worth completing. They give you useful preparation before the starting countdown rather than simply being a cosmetic sequence.
📋 Table of Contents
- What Do Pre-Race Checks Do?
- What Are Pre-Race Checks?
- How to Complete Pre-Race Checks
- What Gets Primed by Pre-Race Checks?
- The Autopilot Pre-Race Check Trick
- Why You Should Complete Pre-Race Checks
- Why Are Pre-Race Checks Not Appearing?
- Can You Make Pre-Race Checks Easier?
- Pre-Race Checks and the Hutt Backer Contract
- Pre-Race Checks and Perfect Starts
- Start Your Engines! Trophy
- FAQ
What Do Pre-Race Checks Do?
Pre-Race Checks let you prepare your equipped systems and Abilities before a race starts.
By entering the short button sequences shown during the preparation phase, you can prime systems such as Afterburner and Vent, while certain Abilities can receive an improved first activation.
Other benefits can depend on your loadout. For example, Status Scrubber can make the Perfect Start window much larger, while Autopilot has a special interaction that can help prime your other equipped Abilities.
So yes, Pre-Race Checks are worth completing. They give you useful preparation before the starting countdown rather than simply being a cosmetic sequence.
What Are Pre-Race Checks?
Pre-Race Checks are short button-input sequences that appear before a race begins.
You'll see controller prompts during the preparation sequence. Enter the displayed inputs correctly and the corresponding system or Ability becomes primed.
After the preparation sequence, the game moves into the normal race-start countdown.
The important part is that different checks can provide different benefits. Your available checks depend on the systems and Abilities in your loadout.
How to Complete Pre-Race Checks
When the prompts appear, enter the displayed button inputs before the sequence expires.
The inputs need to be completed quickly, so watch the prompts carefully instead of trying to guess or memorize one universal combination.
The game shows the inputs for your current setup, which means the sequence can change when you change your loadout.
Complete the checks for your loadout
The purpose of the sequence is to prepare your systems before the race.
If you're using several useful Abilities, completing the checks can give you an advantage during the opening section.
There is also an important requirement: you need at least three qualifying Abilities before the full Pre-Race Check sequence becomes available. Crash Abilities do not count toward this requirement.
If you haven't unlocked enough qualifying Abilities yet, it is normal for the full sequence not to appear.
What Gets Primed by Pre-Race Checks?
The benefits depend on the system or Ability being checked.
The most useful examples include Afterburner, Vent, several Abilities, Status Scrubber and Autopilot.
Afterburner
A successful Afterburner check leaves Afterburner primed and ready for the start of the race.
That's useful because Afterburner gives you a reliable way to build speed without relying entirely on Ramjet.
Having it prepared before the countdown means you can use it immediately when you need an opening burst of speed.
Vent
Vent is particularly useful for players who rely on Ramjet.
Completing the Vent check primes the system before the race, giving you an immediate way to manage Ramjet heat.
That can be valuable when you're planning to use Ramjet aggressively from the opening section.
If you're still learning Ramjet's heat system, remember that Vent doesn't replace proper heat management. Holding Ramjet too long can still cause an explosion.
For another Ramjet-related problem, see our guide to why Ramjet stops on Crait in Star Wars Galactic Racer, which explains the Choke effect caused by the red dust.
Ability checks
Pre-Race Checks can also improve the first activation of certain equipped Abilities.
Examples include:
- Concussion Mine
- Ion Shot
- Surge
- Shield
The exact benefit depends on the Ability, so don't assume every check provides the same effect.
The important point is that completing the check can make the first use of an Ability more effective.
Status Scrubber
Status Scrubber has a particularly useful interaction with the race start.
It can substantially increase the size of the Perfect Start window, making the timing easier to hit.
However, Status Scrubber and Pre-Race Checks are still separate mechanics. Completing the checks does not automatically give you a Perfect Start.
The Autopilot Pre-Race Check Trick
If you have Autopilot equipped, prime it first.
Autopilot has a special interaction with the Pre-Race Check sequence. Priming Autopilot can automatically prime your other equipped Abilities.
That can save you from manually completing every individual Ability check.
This makes Autopilot particularly useful for players who have built their loadout around several Abilities.
Just remember that priming Autopilot doesn't guarantee a win. Once the race starts, you still need to deal with hazards, turns, opponents and the racing line.
Why You Should Complete Pre-Race Checks
Pre-Race Checks are easy to ignore because they happen before the actual race.
However, they can give you useful resources and prepared systems before you reach the first major section of the track.
Depending on your loadout, completing them can provide:
- A primed Afterburner.
- A primed Vent.
- A stronger first Ability activation.
- A larger Perfect Start window with the right setup.
- Multiple primed Abilities when using Autopilot.
Match the checks to your loadout
The biggest benefit comes from choosing systems and Abilities that complement the way you race.
Ramjet-focused loadout:
Getting Vent ready gives you an early way to manage heat.
Afterburner-focused loadout:
Priming Afterburner gives you immediate access to your main boost option.
Ability-focused loadout:
Completing the relevant Ability checks can improve your opening activation.
Autopilot loadout:
Prime Autopilot first to take advantage of its ability to prime your other equipped Abilities.
Why Are Pre-Race Checks Not Appearing?
If you don't see the full Pre-Race Check sequence, check how many qualifying Abilities you've unlocked.
You need at least three qualifying Abilities.
Crash Abilities do not count.
The available
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