Glamis Finale

October 19, 2018

The final day of the 2018 Rebelle Rally presented by Hoehn Adventures was full of surprises, with the overall winner of the 4×4 Class literally coming down to the final minutes after eight grueling days of competition. When the dust settled, the Rebelle Rally had its first-ever tie for first place in the overall standings. CPs were placed in the furthest corners of the Glamis sand dunes to test driving, navigation, and time management under pressure. “You will not be able to reach all of these checkpoints,” Rebelle Founder Emily Miller told all of the teams in the morning brief.

Michelle Laframboise and Elise Racette of Team Clearwater Design #115 had not won a stage the entire rally, but placed consistently in the top five, and stayed hyper-focused on their goal of overall victory. Thirty six points behind the leaders coming into the last day of competition, the team had as close to a perfect day in the sand as we have seen. “We came and trained at Glamis with Emily and Nicole Pitell-Vaughan from Total Chaos Fabrication last month,” Michelle confessed. “That really gave me the confidence in the dunes, and it all paid off today.” The Canadian women also took home the International Cup for the second year in a row. For their efforts, $2,500 will be donated in their name to the charity of their choice.

Tying Team Clearwater Design #115 for first place overall was Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe of Team #140, who also won the Bone Stock Award in their 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. This is Hall and Donaghe’s third year competing together, and while they have come so close to winning in the past, disaster has struck every year on the last day of the rally. This year the unthinkable occurred prior to the rally, when a smash-and-grab robber stole Rebecca Donaghe’s bag with all of her plotting and navigation tools (not to mention her clothing and personal belongings). This made an already challenging event even more so, but Donaghe and Hall overcame the adversity with courage and resolve. “You are not your tools, Rebecca,” Emily Miller reminded Team #140 at the start of the rally.

Rounding out the podium in the overall standings were reigning champions Kaleigh Hotchkiss and Teralin Petereit of Team Blondetourage #125. The two were consistent and unflappable throughout the rally, winning multiple stages. In the end, Team Blondetourage #125 did not have enough points coming into the final day to maintain their lead and hold off the more aggressive competitors.

The Rookie of the Year Award in the 4×4 Class went to Sarah Homer and Lindsey Hunter of Team Escape The Paved #176. The two Houston residents finished seventh overall in their Bone Stock Ford Raptor. Sarah and Lindsey are neighbors who formed a bond when recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. “Though flooding is an absolutely awful experience, I feel really blessed to have made such incredible bonds with my neighbors,” Lindsey explained. Sarah heard about the Rebelle on a Baja trip. The minute she started telling me about the Rebelle I was hoping she’d ask me to do it with her, so my response was an instant yes! If we can overcome a hurricane, we can overcome anything.”

The Crossover Class was not quite as closely contested, despite twice as many entries in 2018, as compared to the previous year. Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner) drove their Bone Stock Porsche Cayenne wisely and minimized their risks to maintain their 50-point lead in the overall standings. Rookies to the Rebelle, Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar) couldn’t close the gap in their Bone Stock Subaru Crosstrek, but matched the Porsche team point-for-point in the dunes. Shannell McMillan and Nickie Kelly of Team Dirt N Perfume #207 placed third in the Crossover Class in their Subaru Forester.

“This rally is really about competing with yourself,” Emily Miller explained. The 42 teams at the Rebelle Rally represented 5 countries and 17 states, driving vehicles from ten different manufacturers. Jeep was the most prevalent brand at the rally, sweeping the podium in the 4×4 Class.

The teams now transit to San Diego for Rebellation. From 12 PM to 2 PM on Saturday, October 20th, Rebelle competitor vehicles will be on display and podium awards will be presented for both classes at the historic Lane Field in downtown San Diego. This event is open to the public with media in attendance. The festivities continue at 7 PM until midnight with our ticketed awards gala held at the breathtaking Coasterra. Celebrate in style under the stars overlooking the sparkling San Diego skyline with dinner, dancing, awards, and video highlights from the rally. Black tie-optional, come dressed in whatever clothing makes you feel like a million bucks!

Sponsor Highlight – Total Chaos Fabrication

The Rebelle Rally is in a class all on its own as a driving and navigation challenge, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the companies we choose to partner with are just as unique as we are. Case in point: Total Chaos Fabrication. Single-handedly responsible for the “midtravel” suspension segment with their introduction of the tubular Upper Control Arm (UCA) in 2002. These arms use race-quality components to increase wheel travel without the need for custom fabrication. And with Total Chaos’ commitment to quality, craftsmanship, customer service, and constant innovation, we are proud to call them the Official Suspension Partner of the 2018 Rebelle Rally.

Johnson Valley to Glamis

October 18, 2018

Rebelles awoke to a beautiful fall morning in Johnson Valley with perfect temperatures and breakfast prepared by Drew Deckman and his talented staff. Day 6 of the Rebelle Rally presented by Hoehn Adventures started with a Precision Enduro, which is unlike a Rebelle Enduro Challenge (REC) in that rather than being designed for a specific time or speed, a Precision Enduro is designed to run along a specific cap heading. Three different road books were designed to keep teams from following one another, but with 4×4 class leaders Team Blondetourage #125 (Kaleigh Hotchkiss/Teralin Petereit) first off the line, there was plenty of follow-the-leader going on.

Leaving Johnson Valley, the plan was to go through the stunning Joshua Tree National Park. Course Director Jimmy Lewis and his staff spend all year designing the perfect course for the Rebelle Rally, complete with challenging CPs and detailed Rally Navigator-generated road books. Sometimes Mother Nature has a different idea though. The roads in Joshua Tree National Park were washed out by recent rains. The staff reacted by routing the course around the Salton Sea past Mecca en route to the artist compound known as Slab City.

After Slab City teams traveled through Mammoth Wash, which required slow, deliberate tire placement to safely drive to Imperial Sand Dunes (Glamis). Reaching green CPs before their closing times was an issue for all teams on Day 6, with traffic, fueling, and road conditions eating up valuable time. The format of the Rebelle Rally requires teams to manage their time efficiently, as there are set windows of time for each checkpoint. Miss the time cutoff for a green CP and your day is over; literally.

Posting the highest score of the day in the 4×4 class was Team Sassquatch Rebelles #184 (Amy Hopkins/ Kendra Miller) with 154 points. Following closely behind them by two points was Team#140 (Emme Hall/Rebecca Donaghe), and then Team Hoehn Adventures #109.

Despite the change up in the daily winners, Team Blondetourage #125 (Teralin Petereit/Kaleigh Hotchkiss) remains in first in the 4×4 class above Team #140 by two points. Coming in third is Team #109, with 11 points to catch up.

In the Crossover Class, Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner) won Day 6 to extend their lead in the overall standings. Currently 50 points separate Team Hoehn Porsche and second place Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farar).

The final stage of the 2018 Rebelle Rally will push the competitors deeper into the dunes of Glamis in search for elusive CPs. Past editions of the rally have taught us that nothing is certain when dunes are part of the equation. Teams have gotten stuck, broke, and ran out of fuel at Glamis, plunging their position in the standings. Other teams have taken all the skills that they have learned over the week and applied them on course to upset significantly more experienced rivals. Anything can happen at the Rebelle Rally!

Daily Tech Tip – What Is The Team Spirit Award?

It is not always about your score, but how you compete. The Rebelle Rally Team Spirit Award is designed to promote and encourage a positive spirit in the midst of focused competition. It is searching for solutions, providing encouragement, and treating others with respect and enthusiasm – which ultimately results in fostering a spirited competitive climate. The Team Spirit Award winners, as voted on by staff and competitors, receive a $2,500 donation in their name to the charity of their choice, generously provided by Off-Road Like A Girl this year.

Sponsor Highlight – Mountain House

Delicious, freeze dried meals are not an oxymoron thanks to official supplier Mountain House. Rebelles, media, and staff’s lunchtime fuel is made up of Mountain House chicken fajitas, mac and cheese, and the occasional breakfast scramble. Not a bad way to break up the day.

Johnson Valley Loop

October 17, 2018

Navigation gets considerably more challenging when you get off the burned-in two track and traverse across open Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas. Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States at 96,000 acres, and plays home to the famous King of the Hammers race. Elevations range from 4,600 feet at Hartwell Hills to 2,300 feet at Melville Dry Lake with numerous mountain ranges and rocky canyons. All of this is fertile ground for Course Director Jimmy Lewis to place CPs in the most creative of locations.

Team Hoehn Adventures #109 (Jo Hannah Hoehn/Susie Saxten) and Team Clearwater Designs #115 (Michelle Laframboise/Elise Racette) tied for first place on Day 5, pushing them up to second and fourth place in the 4×4 Class, respectively. Team Blondetourage #125 still leads the overall standings though, with a 12 point lead over Team Hoehn Adventures #109.

In the Crossover Class, Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner) and Team Desert Dreamers #208 (Ariel Jen/Melanie Morimoto) tied for the best score on Day 5. The strong showing put Team Hoehn Porsche #202 back in first place in the overall standings, ahead of Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar).

Once returning to Base Camp, the teams had the option of competing in the Falken Tire Change Contest. Seven teams completed an impromptu tire change in under ten minutes, putting them into the pool of lucky participants for a drawing for a set of Falken Tires. While Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar) took the least amount of time to change their tire, it was Team Ridgeline Rebels #209 (Maria Guitar/Michele Klein) that won the raffle and a free set of Falken tires.

Tomorrow overall leaders Team Blondetourage #125 (Kaleigh Hotchkiss/Teralin Petereit) will be the first off the line for a precision enduro in Johnson Valley before the Rebelles travel south through the artist commune of Slab City en route to the Imperial Sand Dunes, where Rebelles will face the ultimate challenge of navigation and driving.

Daily Tech Tip – What Is Bone Stock?

The Bone Stock Award is presented to the team that places highest in a vehicle that is exactly as delivered from the factory. The only allowable change is different tires, but even that are limited to the factory sizing. Currently Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe of Team #140 lead the eleven-vehicle field in Bone Stock and are third overall in the 4×4 Class behind the wheel of a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Additional Bone Stock participants include:
Team Wild Grace #106 – Nissan Armada
Team Omada Adventure #116 – Land Rover LR4
Team 4 Corners #129 – Ram Rebel
Team Bold Adventures #168 – Toyota Tacoma
Team Not Lost #175 – Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Team Escape The Paved #176 – Ford Raptor
Team Jeep Thrills #177 – Jeep Wrangler Willys
Team Teton Drift #178 – Mercedes Benz G550 Squared
Team Serendipity #187 – Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Team Hoehn Porsche #202 – Porsche Cayenne

Sponsor Highlight – Coola

The desert is a harsh environment with an abundance of spiky vegetation and a lack of water and shade. Fortunately, Rebelles have a triple threat – organic, high-performing, and nourishing. COOLA is effortless to wear and conquers whatever we throw at it – literally. And we’re devoted. COOLA thank you for always having our back with your nourishing, luxurious, anti-oxidant infused plant-based protection from head-to-toe.

China Ranch Date Farm to Johnson Valley

October 16, 2018

Day 4 of the Rebelle Rally marked the second half of the marathon stage, which started with a 66 km Rebelle Enduro Challenge (REC) from China Ranch Date Farm through the 1.6 million-acre Mojave National Preserve. The night before gave teams the opportunity to bond under the cover of date trees, and also do some commiserating. Day 3 was designed to push even the most seasoned competitors to their limits and see how they react. “There is a reason the windshield is large and the rearview mirror is small,” explained Tech Director Chris Woo. “You have to put the mistakes of the past behind you and focus on the present.”

Once the REC was completed it was time to search for CPs, but Day 4 was designed to test not only driving prowess and navigational accuracy, but time management as well. Reaching all CPs was nearly impossible on Day 4, forcing teams to make tough decisions about how to best utilize their time. The competitors traveled down the historic Route 66, which spans 2,448 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. To put it in perspective, the route for the Rebelle Rally covers over 1,600 miles in 2018. Day 4 took to the teams into Johnson Valley OHV Area, home of King of Hammers, where they had their first taste of open driving through valleys and washes without defined roads.

Reigning champions Team Blondetourage #125 (Kaleigh Hotchkiss/Teralin Petereit) won the marathon stage to retake the lead in the overall standings in the 4×4 Class. They now sit 16 points ahead of Team Hoehn Adventures #109 (Jo Hannah Hoehn/Susie Saxten), who have proven to be far more consistent in 2018 than they were in 2017. When asked about what changed, Jo Hannah Hoehn explained, “We know what to expect now. When we have issues, we don’t dwell on them, we just overcome them.”

In the Crossover Class, Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar) had a breakout day to take the overall lead from Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner). The rookie team had a smoking clutch in their Subaru Crosstrek after getting stuck on Day 4, but they did not let the setback rattle them.

While night CPs were planned for Day 4, Mother Nature had other plans for her daughters at the Rebelle Rally. Heavy rains meant that Means, Melville, and Soggy Dry Lakebeds weren’t so dry on Day 4. Rebelle Founder Emily Miller made the tough call to cancel the night CPs in order to limit the environmental impact and safety risk on the lakebeds, but expect nighttime navigation to make an appearance at Rebelle Rally 2019… weather permitting.

Daily Tech Tip – How To Follow The Rebelle Rally Standings

There are a variety of ways to follow the Rebelle Rally standings in real time as the event progresses. Clicking on rebellerally.com/live-tracking gives you two maps – live vehicle tracking, and our course narrative map from our partners at Mapbox. Think of it as a user’s guide to each day – including: area history, terrain details, images, updates, competition info, etc. You can also track the teams’ position on course by downloading the YB Races app, available for iOS and Android.

For those that prefer tabular data, live scoring has just about every statistic you could ever wish for. There are overall standings for the 4×4 and Crossover classes, links to team bios, and individual CP scores for each day. Note that 4x4s are separated into Group A and Group B in order to discourage teams from playing follow-the-leader.

Sponsor Highlight – Big Agnes

Having a successful Rebelle Rally or challenging adventure is all about preparation and choosing the right gear that you can trust. What’s critical for a success? A good night’s sleep! So we don’t go anywhere without our Big Agnes MountainGlo tents, Q-Core Deluxe sleeping pads, and any sleeping bag rated at 20° or colder. Named for a peak out their backdoor in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Big Agnes is an awesome crew dedicated to the outdoors. They put their gear through the paces and continually work to make it the best.

Diamondfield to China Ranch Date Farm

October 15, 2018

Competitors woke up before dawn to 17-degree temperatures to start Day 3 of the Rebelle Rally presented by Hoehn Adventures in Diamondfield, Nevada. The route started with a Rebelle Enduro Challenge (REC) to Goldfield, and the crossover competitors stopping at the cool and quirky International Car Forest of the Last Church. From there the route continued south to Rhyolite, another of Nevada’s colorful ghost towns. In 1907 Rhyolite was considered cutting edge with electric lights, water mains, telephones, newspapers, a hospital, a school, an opera house, and a stock exchange. The population was estimated at 5,000 in 1907, but by 1920 it had plunged to nearly zero.

From Rhyolite the route skirted along the top-secret Area 51, where the government tests experimental aircraft and weapons systems. The teams used their decidedly more old school navigation systems to arrive at Amargosa Dunes. This dune system covers five square miles and rises up to 500 feet tall, just large enough for competitors to air down their tires and get a taste of what is to come. While the dunes seemed benign, more than one team fell prey to the soft sand and challenging CPs found on Day 3.

The standings started to spread out on Day 3, with Team Blondetourage #125 (Teralin Petereit/Kaleigh Hotchkiss) earning the most points for the day in the provisional standings of the 4×4 Class, moving them back into first place in the overall standings. They lead Team Hoehn Adventures #109 (Jo Hannah Hoehn/Susie Saxten) by nine points and Team #140 (Emme Hall/Rebecca Donaghe) by ten points. In the Crossover Class, Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Lisa Wolford/Sandy Conner) posted the best score for the day to hold off Team Naviguessers #210 (Emily Winslow/Alicia Farrar) in the provisional standings for the event. Scoring for the marathon stage (Day 3 and Day 4) will not be finalized until all teams return to Base Camp at the end of Day 4 and meet with scoring officials.

Once back on the hardpack the teams worked their way to the China Ranch Date Farm. Unlike past years where the self-camp night of the marathon stage in Dumont Dunes, this year the competitors were treated to an oasis nestled on the edge of Death Valley. Setting up their tents in the shadows of huge date trees, they had the opportunity to commune with their fellow Rebelles and cook for themselves. “We could have gone home on Day 0 and it all would have been worth it,” confessed Amy Evans of Team #171. “I never thought I would have been so happy to be lost in the desert! You just can’t explain to people what this event is.”

Tomorrow marks the second half of the marathon stage, with teams transiting through the Mojave National Preserve on their way to Johnson Valley OHV Area, where the competitors with face the Rebelle Rally’s first ever night stage!

Daily Tech Tip – Why Is The Start Order Random?

Most multi-day rally events determine the starting order for a day from the previous day’s results. The Rebelle Rally is different in that each team draws a number out of a bowl at the end of each day to determine their starting order for the next day. “By making the starting order random we prevent the less experienced teams from just following the more experienced teams each day,” explained Scoring Director Chrissie Beavis. “We also set up more than one route to prevent teams from following each other.”

Sponsor Highlight – Suunto

Born in 1936, Suunto has always been committed to accuracy. Not satisfied with the accuracy of traditional dry compasses and their lack of steady needle operation, engineer and Suunto founder Tuomas Vohlonen discovered and patented the production method for the liquid-filled compass. This made for a much steadier needle, better readings, and a whole new level of accuracy. Since then, Suunto has been at the forefront of design and innovation for a variety of instruments used by adventurers all over the globe. Suunto’s MC-2 G Mirror Compass is the compass of choice for Rebelles who understand that the difference between success and failure when looking for that unmarked black CPs in the dunes comes down to a matter of feet. When precision matters, we choose Suunto.

Diamondfield Loop

October 14, 2018

Rebelles got a few extra minutes of sleep this morning, as the route for Day 2 both started and ended in Diamondfield, meaning that they did not have to pack up their gear for the day. Day 2 started with a 36-kilometer Rebelle Enduro Challenge (REC); considerably shorter than the REC on Day 1. The terrain was smooth and winding as the road went west past Goldfield across Highway 95. Teams were broken into three groups, which limited the ability to play follow-the-leader on the course and forced competitors to rely on their navigation skills.

The route went through the colorfully named Monkey Face Canyon on their way to the mining town of Silver Peak. The area around Silver Peak has been hammered by flash floods over the past six months, requiring the course crew to change the route last month after smooth graded roads were reduced to boulder fields. After more flooding last week, there were rain ruts and washouts that required careful attention. The final CPs of the day were located on Alkali Dry Lake Bed, southeast of Tonopah. The rain made the lakebed a little less dry, but all the teams made it safely back to the Diamondfield Base Camp for Drew Deckman’s take on Taco Tuesday, which included ceviche with shrimp graciously provided by Del Pacifico Seafood. Fair trade certified wild Mexican shrimp from the Pacific Ocean, the Rebelles were fed well tonight!

In the 4×4 Class, Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe (Team #140) posted the best score of the day to take a slim lead of three points in the overall standings over 2017 winners Team Blondetourage #125 (Teralin Petereit/Kaleigh Hotchkiss). After a strong showing for the day, Team 4 Corners #129 (Nena Barlow/Chris Mayne) and Team Clearwater Design #115 (Michelle Laframboise/Elise Racette) are in a tie for third place in the overall standings. In the Crossover Class, Team Hoehn Porsche #202 (Sandy Conner/Lisa Wolford) posted the best score for Day 2, giving them a slight margin over Team Artemis #206 (Marty Lawrence/Kate Lundin) in the overall Crossover standings.

On Day 3 the teams will get their first taste of the sand dunes en route to the China Ranch Date Farm for the first half of the marathon stage. Team Desert Dreamers #208 (Ariel Jen/ Melanie Morimoto) will be the first off the line at 7 AM PDT in their Bone Stock Honda Pilot. You can track the teams in realtime here.

Daily Tech Tip – What Is A Marathon Stage?

A Marathon Stage takes place over two days with minimal outside support (only fueling is allowed). The teams are required to carry all of their own camping gear and cook for themselves, without the luxuries of Base Camp, which include mechanics, showers, and bathrooms. Mountain House freeze dried meals and MREs will substitute for Drew Deckman’s cuisine.

Sponsor Highlight – Corkcicle

Corkcicle is a fan favorite amongst Rebelles and staff. Since 2017, we’ve counted on the triple-insulated canteens to do everything from keeping our coffee hot in the mountains, to keeping our water cold in the dunes. They also help us minimize trash on the rally, keeping plastic out of our oceans and landfills. Rebelles have also found some creative ways to make use of the sleek, easy grip design that does it all — including a make-shift radiator replenisher and a source of hot water quickly on the go. We interviewed Corkcicle Founder Stephen Bruner last year to find out how he got started, and how his knack for innovation is bringing the refined to our rough at the Rebelle. Check out our throwback interview here, and our go-to Corkcicle choice here (cupholder friendly included).

Kingston to Diamondfield

October 13, 2018

Rebelle Rally competitors departed Kingston, Nevada this morning after a chilly night camping at Miles End Lodge Bed and Breakfast. The course took them through Monitor Valley and past the iconic Diana’s Punchbowl. Also called the Devil’s Cauldron, this geothermal hot spring is the result of a fault where the earth’s crust has sunk into a cup shaped depression. The uplifted dome around Diana’s Punchbowl is approximately 50 feet across and 600 feet high, making it an excellent vantage point to get their bearings for the navigation that is the foundation of the Rebelle Rally.

The first scored day of competition then got serious in a hurry, with a 63-mile long Rebelle Enduro Challenge. Held on publics roads on a Saturday, teams not only had to manage their speed and time, but also contend with ranchers with horse trailers on the narrow mountain backroads. The stage was won by defending Rebelle champions Kaleigh Hotchkiss and Teralin Petereit (Team Blondetourage #125), who sit just one point ahead of Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe (Team #140). The highest placing rookie team is Team Jeep Thrills #177. The mother and daughter team of Christine and Emily Benzie are in fifth place after Day 1.

Both the 4×4 and Crossover classes serve as the ultimate proving ground for vehicle manufactures and aftermarket parts builders as well. Marty Lawrence and Kate Lundin (Team Artemis #206) lead the Crossover Class in their Subaru Outback, ahead of rookies Emily Winslow and Alicia Farrar (Team Naviguessers #210) and Ariel Jen and Lili Melikian (Team Desert Dreamers #208) in their Honda Pilot. The Crossover Class boasts twice as many competitors in 2018 than the prior year, ensuring a battle will play out over the next seven days of competition.

The day ended at the tiny mining town of Diamondfield, east of Goldfield. The Base Camp contained a remote fueling truck, repair station, mobile showers and bathrooms, and dinner prepared by Michelin star chef Drew Deckman. The competition is certain to become even more intense tomorrow as the course heads across dry lake beds and over narrow mountain passes on the way to Silver Peak, Nevada.

Daily Tech Tip- What Is A Rebelle Enduro Challenge (REC)?

RECs are precision driving sections that involve a set route with an assigned start time and assigned target average speed through the route. Participants use a roadbook common to rally raid events, such as Dakar, to navigate to the next Green CP while trying to maintain a designated average speed. The goal of competitors is to follow the route and maintain assigned target speeds as closely as possible, points are awarded for being “on time” at each time control. Learn more about RECs here.

Sponsor Highlight- Tepui Tents

Ever arrive in camp after dark? Or can’t find a clear, level spot to set up a tent? These issues are a thing of the past with the addition of a Tepui roof top tent. Tepui makes premium rooftop tents and specialized outdoor equipment for a more secure and comfortable way to get the most out of every adventure. Every Tepui tent is purpose-built, made with the highest quality materials, and designed to withstand the roughest weather and toughest conditions. “Our true-blue passion for rooftop camping continually drives us to innovate and adapt.”

Teams departed The Village at Squaw Valley at 7 AM and headed east into the rising sun on Day 0 of the Rebelle Rally. Why not Day 1? First-year and experienced Rebelles alike were given the opportunity to get a feel for the start procedure, navigating via map and roadbook, and seeing what green and blue checkpoints look like. This mock prologue gives the teams the opportunity to be warmed up for the first day of competition. Note that we called the Rebelle Rally a competition, not a race. While a race is a type of competition, not every competition is a race. Success at the Rebelle Rally is determined by navigational accuracy, driving prowess, and time management.

Ten hours after departing, the 42 teams arrived in beautiful Kingston, Nevada by way of Kingston Canyon. Numerous water crossings and colorful aspen trees lined the canyon that opens into the Big Smokey Valley. Base Camp was established on the grounds of Miles End Lodge Bed & Breakfast, complete with a wood fired hot tub! Once arriving at Base Camp, each competitor was required to turn in their GPS-enabled devices (such as cell phones, laptops, etc.) for the duration of the event, as no GPS or outside assistance from staff is allowed on the Rebelle Rally.

After setting up their tents, each team was treated to a hearty meal of chili and jalapeno corn fritters. After dinner, Gary Kemp recited cowboy poetry around the campfire. This Nevada tradition shows the softer, artistic side of the cowboy culture that defines this region.

Tomorrow morning the competition officially starts, with Rachel Ridenour and Taylor Pawley – Team Record The Journey (#103) first off the line at 7 AM Pacific.

Daily Tech Tip – What Are CPs?

Rebelle checkpoints (CPs) follow the same color scheme as snow ski runs, with green, blue, and black CPs. “The format rewards those who take risks,” Rebelle Founder Emily Miller explained. The green checkpoints are the easiest, marked by a staff member and a large green flag. The green CPs are worth the most points and are mandatory for all teams. Blue CPs are optional and more difficult to find, marked only by a small stake or flag in the ground. Most difficult to locate are black CPs, which have no visible marker on the ground. The closer teams are to black CPs when they signal their tracker, the more points they receive.

Sponsor Spotlight: DMOS Collective

We couldn’t be more excited to find a shovel company that is purpose built, innovative, and woman-owned. Not only does DMOS founder Susan Pieper pose a never-give-up, positive spirit just like a Rebelle, she is a Rebelle, competing as Team Teton Drift (#178). DMOS is not just another simple SKU in a big company’s catalog. They are all about creating – they are product-specialists who live and breathe design, delivering great products for those who need it.

And this week only, Rebelle fans following the rally can get 20% off with the code REBELLEDIG20 – and just in time for Christmas!

Teams from around the globe have descended on The Village at Squaw Valley near the iconic Lake Tahoe to take part in the third annual Rebelle Rally. This driving and navigation rally spans over ten days and over 1,600 miles across an all-new, uncharted course through Nevada and California, culminating with competition finish in Southern California. Teams then transfer to San Diego for a public awards podium at historic Lane Field followed by a ticketed awards gala to celebrate. Before the teams hit the dirt, rally school and technical inspections take place at Squaw Valley to distribute satellite phones, apply team numbers, and install the Yellow Brick tracers that allow live tracking of team positions on course (www.rebellerally.com/live-tracking). Live tracking begins Friday, October 12th.

This year, we have the largest field to date, and with a Crossover class doubled in size since 2017. The forty-three teams are split between the 4×4 and Crossover classes, as well as special designations for Bone Stock, 4030, and International Cup. 4030 is a nod to 40 is the new 30, and is designated for vehicles over 40 years old. As the name implies, the Bone Stock award is for the best finisher in a vehicle that is exactly as delivered from the factory. All parts must be OEM (Original Equipment Manu-facturer). No modifications are allowed beyond aftermarket wheels and tires. Manufacturer backed entries from Honda, Nissan, Jeep, Ram Trucks, and Porsche will all be vying for the coveted Bone Stock award.

The addition of passports, language barriers, and overseas logistics makes an already challenging rally even more so. The International Cup was designed to acknowledge and honor these teams. This year four teams from foreign countries are vying for the International Cup, with a donation made to the winners’ charity of choice. The International Cup requires that both teammates be non-US citizens (or hold dual citizenship) with at least one team member living abroad full time.

The Team Spirit Award is given to the team that displays the best attitude, helps others, and defines the Rebelle spirit, as selected by their fellow competitors and Rebelle Rally staff. It is searching for solutions, proving encouragement, and treating others with respect and enthusiasm, which ultimately results in fostering a spirited competitive climate. This team will have $2,500 donated to their selected charity in their name.

We are also excited to announce the latest addition to the Rebelle Rally; the Rookie of the Year Award. This is presented to the top scoring team amongst the 26 entries of first time Rebelles. Both team members must be competing in the Rebelle Rally for their first time, regardless of previous competition experience in other events, rallies, or races. One hardworking team will take home the trophy, a pair of Suunto winner watches, and some well-deserved bragging rights!

In addition, awards will also be presented this year for the daily stage winners in both the 4×4 and Crossover classes. Daily stage winners are the highest scoring teams in their respective classes for a given stage (typically one day of competition, except on marathon stages).

Team bios are live now at www.rebellerally.com/2018teams/

Daily Tech Tip – What are the differences in the classes?

The Rebelle Rally is designed for stock vehicles. Roll cages and modified vehicles are not required. There are two vehicle classes, with 37 4×4 entries and 6 Crossover entries:

4×4 – 4-wheel drive vehicles that have a two-speed transfer case (low range)
Examples: Jeep Wrangler, Pickup trucks with SUVs including Toyota Tacoma 4×4, Chevy Colorado, Land Rover / Range Rover

Crossover – Unibody construction and two-wheel or all-wheel drive (no low range)
Examples: Subaru Forrester/Outback, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4, etc.