June 2024 Newsletter
June 28th, 2024
Welcome to the June edition of the Rebelle Rally newsletter! Summer is officially here, and it’s the perfect time to elevate your outdoor experience with this month’s top gear picks, inspiration from our latest 2024 team highlight, a fantastic Q&A offering sponsorship insight with Pirelli’s very own Meghan Gilmartin, and a Rebelle Trials update – because adventure is calling.
Sold-Out Success at Rebelle U Navigation Intensive + Rebelle Trials
Last month’s sold-out Rebelle U in Ridgecrest, CA, presented by Pennzoil, was a success! Participants sharpened their navigation skills using maps, compasses, and roadbooks. Day three featured a very exciting Rebelle Trials, the mock rally stage complete with briefing, start/finish line, and scoring, offering a true “day in the life” of a Rebelle:
“Attending the trials at Ridgecrest marked our first official Rebelle Rally training experience.We were genuinely impressed by the kindness and expertise of every instructor. The entire weekend proved invaluable in enhancing not only our navigation and communication skills but also our personal growth as individuals and as teammates.”
-Team #120 Grit & Grace, Danielle Noonan & Cara McClellan
Next Up? Rebelle Trials Canada! A First!
Join us next month at the BC Overland Rally for Rebelle Trials Canada, a 3-day training event featuring intensive navigation lessons and a Day 3 mock Rebelle Rally stage. Whether you’re competing, looking to experience the Rebelle Rally, or aiming to build your vehicle adventure skills, this is the event for you! Participants will camp at BCOR and enjoy all of the benefits that come with the rally, including the famous nightly fire pit events. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience!
What’s Included:
- Pre-event Rebelle U & Rebelle Trials video prep meeting
- Intensive lessons with top instructors
- Materials: maps, roadbooks, and navigation tools
- Rebelle U hat
- Rebelle Trials vehicle stickers
- 2 Iridium® rental trackers & scoring infrastructure
- Course staff support
- Final reception at spectacular finish location
This women-focused event requires two registered participants per vehicle. Separate registration is needed for both Rebelle Trials and BC Overland Rally. Camping is included with BCOR registration. For more details and to secure your spot, visit our website. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity at the BC Overland Rally!
Behind the Brand - Pirelli
Meet Meghan Gilmartin, Events & Sponsorships Manager at Pirelli Tire LLC, USA. With a rich background in sports and events management, including stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Diamondbacks, Meghan now drives Pirelli’s partnerships and events. Committed to sustainability and with a passion for the company and its culture, Meghan reviews countless proposals, offering crucial insights into what makes a standout sponsorship pitch. Whether you want to compete in the Rebelle Rally or seek sponsorship for another venture, her advice is essential. Discover more about Meghan’s journey and her top tips for successful sponsorships in our exclusive interview.
In the News - Popular Science
The Rebelle Rally is designed as the ultimate proving ground for stock vehicles, giving manufacturers a platform for their creations to shine.
4x Rebelle Competitor Liz Long, a chassis reliability test engineer at Honda, helped develop the Honda Pilot TrailSport after participating in the Rebelle. The TrailSport, featuring skid plates, tow hooks, and a tuned suspension, was tested in challenging conditions and crossed the finish line unscathed, showcasing its capabilities and leading to improvements based on real-world performance. This vehicle is a testament to how the Rebelle Rally truly shapes the evolution of off-road technology. Read the full article by 2x Rebelle and journalist Kristin Shaw for Popular Science.
Stay tuned to see if Liz will be back at the start line this year with another innovative, and trail-ready, Honda vehicle!
Rebelle Selects - Big Agnes
Whether you’re navigating the Rebelle Rally (literally) or enjoying a weekend camping trip, the Big Agnes Big Six Camp Chair and mtnGLO® Tent and Camp Lights will take your experience next level.
The Big Six Camp Chair is a game-changer for portable seating. Lightweight and compact, it’s easy to pack and carry. And when unfolded, it provides excellent support, allowing you to lean back and relax after a day of exploration. The perfect blend of comfort and convenience.
Transform your campsite with the mtnGLO® Tent and Camp Lights. These lights provide a warm glow and integrate seamlessly with your tent, adding that extra touch to your camping experience.
Why We Love Them for Backcountry Adventures:
- Portability: Both the chair and lights are lightweight and packable, making them easy to transport.
- Comfort: The chair’s ergonomic design ensures relaxation, while the lights create a perfect camp atmosphere.
- Versatility: Ideal for the varied conditions of the Rebelle Rally, as well as casual camping and backcountry trips.
- Paired together = instant ambiance.
With both comfort and portability, this Big Agnes combo is your go-to choice for creating memorable outdoor moments. Plus, both have the seal of approval from Rebelle Founder Emily Miller, who spends countless days a year camping, pre-running, and testing gear in the toughest conditions!
Team Feature: Gritty Up!
The Rebelle Rally is thrilled to welcome back Team Gritty Up! Tasha Krug and Michelle Kerby, a 2x team heading into their third year of competition together, along with their standout 2019 Lexus GX450, “Betty White,” for the 2024 competition. Read on to discover the incredible journey of Michelle and Tasha (and Betty!), including their triumphs and challenges, and what makes them a team to watch in 2024.
Rebelle U Training Calendar
- July 11-14, 2024 – BC Overland Rally, Kelowna, BC
- For 2024, Rebelle U @ BC Overland Rally will host a 3-day Navigation Intensive training with a Rebelle Trials event. This is a fee-based event and limited in #. Don’t miss it! Register here.
- Get BC Overland Rally tickets here.
- Aug 22-25, 2024 – Ridgecrest, CA
- 4-Day Driving & Navigation Intensive. Can be taken the 4-day or as a 2-day stand alone training in either Driving or Navigation.
CO-ED.
- 4-Day Driving & Navigation Intensive. Can be taken the 4-day or as a 2-day stand alone training in either Driving or Navigation.
- September 5-6, 2024 – Imperial Dunes, CA
- This 2-day course is a sand dune driving intensive, designed for stock 4WD and AWD vehicles.
- This 2-day course is a sand dune driving intensive, designed for stock 4WD and AWD vehicles.
- September 7-8, 2024 – Imperial Dunes, CA
- This 2-day course is a sand dune driving intensive, designed for stock 4WD and AWD vehicles.
In Case You Missed It: Baja Designs Joins the Rebelle Rally
We’re excited to welcome Baja Designs as a Bronze Level partner for the 2024 Rebelle Rally! The San-Diego based company, known for their high-quality off-road lighting solutions, will enhance the safety and performance of our competitors and staff throughout this year’s competition. Baja Design’s cutting-edge technology ensures optimal visibility in all conditions.
Rebelle U Tip Presented by Pennzoil
Great navigators know that skills are perishable. Great navigators also are able to judge heading and distance just by sight. Turn it into a great game with friends and family. Download Roadbook Reader from Rally Navigator or another app that shows distance in km and heading in degrees. Push your eyes down the road and guess how far and what heading that next landmark is. Confirm with the app. You will surprise yourself how quickly you improve!
Parting Shot
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” — T.S. Eliot
Photo Credit: Regine Trias
Enjoy your summer adventures and stay tuned for more updates from the Rebelle Rally as we countdown to year nine this October!
