Desert Roots was created by a couple gals who have a shared passion for adventure, competition, and love for wheeling. The two met at the 2022 Rebelle Rally, at an eerie stay-over in Amboy. Shelby Hall, a third-generation off-road racer and granddaughter of legendary Rod Hall, grew up in the dirt. From steering on her grandpa’s lap at five years old to launching her own off-road race team, Shelby’s life has been shaped by competition and dirt roads. The Rebelle Rally has become one of her favorite proving grounds—combining skill, endurance, and navigation in a way that honors both her family’s legacy and her own independent journey. Rori Lewis brings her own spark and determination to the team. With a background rooted in athletic sports, exploration, and a deep love of the outdoors, Rori jumped into the Rebelle with the drive to push herself and to embrace challenge head-on. Her eye for detail and unwavering focus make her a natural navigator. Together, Shelby and Rori have built a bond beyond the rally. Their friendship is all about fun, trust and determination. Their defining moment came in 2024 when they earned a 2nd place finish at the Rebelle Rally.
Ford Performance, Jiffy Lube, Shelby Hall Off-Road, Liberty Firearms Institute, KC HiLites, BFGoodrich Tires
Professional Off-Road Driver & Experiential Marketing Entrepreneur: I am a professional off-road driver, brand strategist, and founder of Shelby Hall Off-Road — where motorsports, adventure, and storytelling collide through racing, events, and partnerships that drive connection and impact.
Huntington Beach, CA
School of Hard Knocks, studying business management, marketing and leadership.
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford
In college, I had a debilitating fear of public speaking.
The Rebelle Rally is a long, hard challenge and I like to challenge myself! Each year that I compete I walk away with new memories, more skills and new goals of how to come back stronger.
My teammate, Rori Lewis, has been an incredible inspiration to the over the last year. Her creativity, passion, enthusiasm, positivity and shine is infectious. She's teaching me to care less what they think, and follow the path that brings a smile. Her incredible navigation skills have inspired me to dive deeper into map and compass, and her creativity has inspired to finally start my own merch line. So thankful for her!
1. Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
2. Anything true crime!
3. Modern Family
NORRA’s Baja 2025 — our first major race under Shelby Hall Off-Road! While I’ve been racing for 14 years, this was the first time I took an idea from spark to full execution — leading the charge from concept to green flag. We built it all from the ground up:• Prepped a brand new race truck• Outfitted a full fleet of chase rigs• Assembled a powerhouse team• Branded, marketed, and hit the ground racing — 6 green flags, 1400+ miles down the Baja peninsula. It took pride, joy, and a whole lot of bravery. Now I’m hooked — and fired up to take everything we learned and go even bigger next time.
2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
In it to win it is in my blood! I am a highly competitive person, and with a 1st place in X-Cross and Silver in 4x4, I reallly want a Gold in 4x4!
I love traveling and exploring new places through off-road trails and food, gardening, working out, cooking, and playing games. I absolutely love bringing friends and family together to create laughter and memories.
I have an extensive background in motorsports. As a third-generation professional off-roader, I quite literally grew up in the dirt—learning to drive at just five years old, steering from my grandpa and dad’s lap. My grandfather introduced me to both the competitive and recreational sides of off-roading, which is why the Rebelle Rally has become such a meaningful event for me. It blends skill, endurance, and - a new skill to me - navigation, with the spirit of adventure. Of course, it's taken me a few rallies to truly embrace the balance between staying competitive and “enjoying the view”—but that's exactly the growth I strive for, both on and off the course.
My greatest hobby is what happens to be my career. I feel extremely blessed that I get to experience a ton of cool stuff traveling, exploring, honing skills and seeing the backcountry through off-roading. This year, I had the surreal honor of traveling to Daytona Beach, FL to speak at the 2025 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America induction. I shared the growth of Shelby Hall Off-Road, unveiled our new Bronco DR race car, and told the story of my grandfather, whose legacy continues to inspire my journey in competition and adventure.
How do I pick just one?! I love the challenge the sand dunes bring - it's definitely the most daunting and exciting. I also love the stunning canyons and mountain passes, climbing to cool weather and overlooking the beaty below.
The most challenging part of the Rally for me is overcoming my fear of failure.
The rally has helped me become a better competitor (making mistakes ain't easy!), it's taught me to forgive and move on, and simply the skill of navigation. It's enabled me to grow my business within motorsports, gifted me friendships and opportunities to expand my passion for driving through training, teaching and competing.
I remember learning how to drive sitting on the laps of my Papa and dad. They would manage the pedals while I steered. I started doing this at like age 5, until I could reach the pedals myself. I remember having such a blast, side-hilling a big ol H1 Hummer, and hearing all the "adults" with our group gasping that a little kid was doing it without fear!
1. Professional hat artist - I freehand custom burned hats. It is pretty awesome sharing my wearable art with world! 2. Creative for Shelby Hall Offroad - sharing our love and passion for the dirt. 3. Stay at home dog mom. The best job there is.
Hesperia, CA
Northern Oklahoma College - Business
"Be the person your dog thinks you are."
I played competitive softball for about 20 years. Was a catcher for about 15 of them. I’m also a licensed cosmetologist of 16 years.
Rebelle always.
Anyone who is not afraid to chase their dreams whatever they may be. Life is too short.
Yellowstone and all spin offs
LANDman
Fallout
I’m living it.
2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
2024 was an epic year taking 2nd place with Shelby. Now it’s time for gold.
Being outdoors and taking new adventures is my jam. I love trying anything new.
I started riding dirt bikes in my teens and was introduced to offroad vehicles through TOTAL CHAOS. Loved the dirt ever since!
Every year there has been a new place that I want to go back to. I cannot say there is one place.
The hardest thing would be bouncing back But I have learned on the rally that it’s not over till you cross the finish line. May not work out exactly the way you hope but you always gain something from the experience.
The amount of confidence I have gained in daily life is amazing. Everyone around me has noticed it. Each year I gain more and more.
