Staff Spotlight: Matthew Johnson
Driver. Instructor. Live co-host. This month’s Staff Spotlight Matthew Johnson has been part of the Rebelle since 2016, and he has worn just about every hat possible along the way.
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Driver. Instructor. Live co-host. This month’s Staff Spotlight Matthew Johnson has been part of the Rebelle since 2016, and he has worn just about every hat possible along the way.
When Kristin Shaw signed up for her first Rebelle Rally in 2022, she had no idea how much the experience would reshape her career and confidence. Three years and three rallies later, she is living what she calls her “dream come true,” writing for top automotive outlets, testing vehicles off-road, and saying yes to adventures she once would not have dared to try.
When it comes to the Rebelle, it is not just about your maps and mindset. Your vehicle has to be ready for eight days of dirt, dunes, and surprises. That is where Nick Cimmarusti, our Head of the Mechanics Program by Pennzoil, comes in. Also known as Nickgyver, he can make just about anything work out on course.
The Rebelle Rally announces the return of the Scorpion™ Tire Challenge for its third consecutive year, featuring Pirelli’s newest tire, the Scorpion™ XTM All-Terrain.
Katie Abraham entered the Rebelle Rally in 2022 looking for a challenge. What she found was a spark that shifted everything: her career, her confidence, and her sense of direction. Since that first rally, Katie has stepped into the off-road industry full time, co-driven in desert races, and started teaching recovery and driving skills to others. She’s building a life rooted in adventure, purpose, and saying yes to what scares her.
When it comes to keeping the Rebelle Rally running smoothly, married couple Shelley Krehbiel and Rich Klein are the dynamic duo behind the scenes. Course workers, staff managers, part problem-solvers, part navigators, and entirely indispensable, they’ve been rally mainstays since day one.
Ten years in, and we’ve covered some serious ground. The Rebelle Rally isn’t just about competition, it’s about pushing limits in places most people will never see. Places that mostly go undiscovered. We pride ourselves on these hidden gems. From ghost towns to sand dunes that’ll bury your tires if you’re not paying attention, these are the spots that have defined a decade of Rebelle.
The Rebelle Rally is proud to introduce the inaugural 2025 Pennzoil Challenge, a new addition to the competition that highlights team performance, product reliability, and the demands of navigating remote terrain. Created in collaboration with longtime partner Pennzoil, the Challenge is designed to recognize teams using Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil.
Toyota is returning to the Rebelle Rally in 2025 as a Silver Partner and the Presenting Sponsor of Rebelle Rally LIVE for the fourth consecutive year. Their continued support underscores a strong commitment to real-world vehicle testing, team growth and leadership development, and fan connection through live coverage.
For Keri Porter, the Rebelle Rally opened more than just a roadbook—it opened the door to a new chapter. Since first competing in 2018, she’s retired from her job as a school bus driver, launched Discover 4×4 Adventures with her husband, and now travels full-time teaching off-road skills and leading adventures that welcome all experience levels.