10TH RALLY EDITION: OCTOBER 8 – 18, 2025

#166

Heck Yeah!

How does a Las Vegas Casino president and a construction supply company owner become great friends and teammates in the Rebelle Rally? By saying Heck Yeah to adventure! We both joined Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort at different times and for different reasons, but as soon as we met we became “fast friends” and when Renee suggested the Rebelle Rally of course we had to do it. The Rebelle is already challenging us as we discover how much we need to learn, but we are both problem solvers and moms, so we have the foundation to figure this out. Our stated goal for our first Rebelle Rally is to finish as better friends than when we start, so we will use that as our guidepost to work together to overcome hard stuff and celebrate each victory, even if it is just setting up the tent or finding a black CP in the middle of the Glamis dunes. Hopefully, we will surprise ourselves and inspire others as we go. We got this.

Sponsored By:

LADB Media
Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club

Karen Wonnenberg

Switching roles

"I'm looking to squeeze every ounce of adventure, experience, success, and joy out of this one "at bat" we get on this earth. And to that end, I am determined to say "yes", as much as possible, to the good stuff in life.

Occupation:

Business Owner/Rupert Construction Supply

Residence:

El Dorado Hills, CA

Favorite Quote:

Stay hungry - by Tim "Cubby" Kerr, North Bend High School Assistant Football Coach, 1978.

Fun Fact:

I had a pet bear when I was a child

Why the Rebelle? Why now?

I like doing things that aren't "regular" or expected and cause people to get that puzzled look on their face when they ask about what you are doing. It is easy to grab a mental picture when someone tells you they are "wine tasting", but they don't know what to think when you are racing cars or doing an off-road rally. So, when Renee asked me to do the Rebelle, I got that puzzled look on my own face, and I immediately said "heck yeah"! Why now? We are "burning daylight", people! Time to do some cool stuff!

Who, or what, inspires you most?

I love creative and innovative people - people that come up with new and unexpected solutions to challenges.

Top three favorite podcasts / books / shows

Book: THE POWER OF ONE by Bryce Courtenay
Podcast: All-In with Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks & David Friedberg
Show: Shameless

Greatest adventure to date?

Wheel to Wheel racing at Spring Mountain Motorsports and endurance racing at Sonoma Raceway and Willow Springs.

Prior Years Competed:
Awards Achieved:

Renee West

Switching roles

I'm a life-long student and regardless of my current stage of life or age, I believe the best is yet to come!

Occupation:

President/COO - MGM Resorts (past)

Residence:

Las Vegas, NV

Favorite Quote:

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller

Fun Fact:

With no experience or connections in the automotive world, I started racing cars when I was 55 years old

Why the Rebelle? Why now?

A friend told me about Rebelle in it's first year and it felt like something so foreign for me it was out of reach. I had zero navigation and off road experience and no idea how to get involved. But, one of my life goals is to stay sharp by challenging myself and learning new things. I do my best to take on a big adventure every other year. I' I'm turning 64 the week after Rebelle 2022 - If not now, when?

Who, or what, inspires you most?

I'm inspired by my 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren and anyone that lives their life based on their own definition of success!

Top three favorite podcasts / books / shows

The Aladdin Factor by Mark Canfield
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Greatest adventure to date?

I spent a month in Nepal trekking the Himalayan Mountains with my grandson. Our adventure took us to both the highest lake in the world (Tilicho lake) and the highest pass in the world (Thorang-la Pass - 17,769 ft elevation)

Prior Years Competed:
Awards Achieved:

Vehicle

2012 Toyota Tacoma