10TH RALLY EDITION: OCTOBER 8 – 18, 2025

#153 – Taco-ma Belles

Stacy Danhausen and Jess Buck are both Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) R&D Engineers. Tacoma Chief Engineer, Sheldon Brown, wanted to provide an opportunity for supporting team members to compete in the Rebelle Rally to get firsthand experience with the Tacoma in this use case, to develop as individuals through this rally’s challenges, and to demonstrate the capabilities of a stock Tacoma! Stacy Danhausen’s passion for vehicles started at an early age as she was attending car shows. Her passions have evolved to working on vehicles, and to developing the future of mobility and advanced vehicle systems. Her current position in Integrated Vehicle Systems at TMNA allows her to tap into this passion daily. Jess Buck’s passion for driving started at 16 when she participated in the Michigan State Police’s Defensive Driving Academy—freshly licensed she dove into learning to maneuver slaloms, to safely terminate spins on the skid pad, and started developing other precision driving skills. She now is a Ride and Handling Engineer with TMNA and continues to hone her driving skills while developing vehicle performance. The Rebelle Rally will be her first competitive driving experience! Jess and Stacy will take turns navigating and driving through the California/Nevada terrain.
Sponsored By:

Toyota Motor North America

Jessica Buck

Switching roles
Occupation:

Ride and Handling Engineer

Residence:

Michigan

Favorite Quote:

"Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all." - Ernest Shackleton (Explorer, look up his Endurance Expedition)

Fun Fact:

I've competed in a body building competition, recorded music with a local producer, and am an aunt to two adorable nephews (with a niece on the way)!

Prior Years Competed:
Awards Achieved:

Stacy Danhausen

Switching roles
Occupation:

ADAS Sr. Engineer

Residence:

Michigan

Favorite Quote:

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world” - Harriet Tubman

Fun Fact:

I've both flown a plane and jumped out of one (on separate occasions, fortunately!)

Prior Years Competed:
Awards Achieved:

Vehicle

The "Third Teammate"

Make, Model, Year:

2019 Toyota Tacoma