July 2024 Newsletter
July 19th, 2024
Excitement is in the air as we count down to the 9th edition of the Rebelle Rally! With less than three months to the start line, teams across the country (and beyond!) are deep into their driving and navigation practices, vehicle prep, and final touches. It’s becoming real for many of our registered teams, and we can’t wait to see them in action. Check out this month’s updates, including highlights from our inaugural Rebelle Trials Canada, a spotlight on essential gear, and a feature on a returning team back for more. And don’t forget, for even more Rebelle news, make sure to follow us on our social channels and YouTube!
Success for Our Inaugural Rebelle Trials Canada
From July 12-14, 2024, in the beautiful (yet hot!) Kelowna, British Columbia area, we hosted one of our favorite events to date: the inaugural Rebelle Trials Canada. The Rebelle U Presented by Pennzoil 2-day training, plus a 1-day mock Rebelle Rally stage, offered the closest experience to the Rebelle Rally without competing. Featuring intensive navigation lessons with Rebelle Rally Scoring Director, Chrissie Beavis and former rally winner, Christine Benzie, the grand finale was Rebelle Trials on day three. This event provided future competitors and women interested in the rally with an exciting way to prepare and get a taste of the actual competition. Participants were fully immersed in the experience held at the BC Overland Rally, camping at Heartland Ranch, engaging with vendors and fellow participants, and enjoying the nightly fire pit gatherings.
Ten teams took part on the final day. The course was a bow-tie configuration that covered 175 kilometers of fun-driving rally roads with an 8-hour time limit. Given the nature and length of the course, every last minute was used by the teams. The day began with map and compass checkpoints to the south, before turning north on an on-time enduro using traditional rally roadbooks. Upon reaching Green CP #7, they returned to map and compass taking them through an area known as “Lake Country” before descending the mountains to Lake Okanagan with a beautiful reception at Gray Monk Winery overlooking the stunning water.
Emily Miller, Founder and Director of the Rebelle Rally, shared her gratitude: “We couldn’t be happier with the success of our first Rebelle Trials Canada. A huge thank you to BC Overland Rally, Pennzoil for presenting Rebelle U, YB Tracking, our fantastic students and dedicated instructors, and especially our partner Overland Training Canada for making it all happen.”
Wondering where in the world Rebelle U is headed next? Check out the schedule to join us for our next session. With only three remaining training sessions before the rally in October, now is the time to get your Rebelle prep on!
Rebelle Rally Course Director Jimmy Lewis Inducted Into Off-Road Motorsports Hall Of Fame
Congratulations to our incredible Course Director, Jimmy Lewis, for his much-deserved induction into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2024! Since the beginning of the Rebelle Rally, Jimmy has been an indispensable part of our team.
Starting his racing career at just 8, Jimmy has achieved remarkable success with Class and Stage wins at Dakar, Overall Wins at Dubai Rally, Baja 1000, and Incas Rally. He is a 4-time ISDE Gold Medalist and multi-time AMA National Champion. Beyond racing, Jimmy has excelled as a journalist and editor for Cycle World Magazine and Dirt Rider Magazine. He runs the Jimmy Lewis Off-Road Training School with his wife, Heather, in Pahrump, Nevada, and continues to coach and mentor new talent, especially in the realm of Dakar. In 2017, Jimmy received a Hall of Fame Impact Award for his work as course director for the Rebelle Rally and King of the Motos. This November, he will be formally inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, a testament to his extensive racing success, and lifelong dedication and impact on the sport. Congratulations, Jimmy! Your passion and commitment inspire us all. We are proud to have you as part of the Rebelle Rally family.
Want to see Jimmy in person as he accepts this prestigious award? Tickets for the ORMHOF Gala in Las Vegas are now on sale here. Don’t miss off-road’s biggest night of the year!
Behind the Brand - Baja Designs
Discover the future of off-road lighting with Rebelle partner Baja Designs in our latest interview featuring Wes Wheeler, Race Support Lead. From their groundbreaking innovations in performance lighting to their unique experience through the Baja 1000, Wes shares insights into what makes Baja Designs an essential partner for the Rebelle. Learn how their products redefine reliability and performance under extreme conditions and uncover their vision for the future of off-road adventures in the July Behind the Brand now live! This is a journey illuminated by passion and innovation, and we are very thankful to Wes and the team for their support this year—and for keeping our adventures lit up!
Team Feature: B3 Rebelles
Marie Reyes and Hanna Temkin, the enthusiastic duo behind Team B3 Rebelles, are preparing for their second year in the Rebelle Rally. After their rookie experience in 2023, these friends-turned-family are back with renewed energy and new goals. Read about their journey, the upgrades to their Land Rover Discovery 2, and their advice for first-time teams. Dive into their full story to see how they’re ready to take on the rally once again in 2024!
Rebelle Selects - Wagan Power Cube
“As I write this post, I’m sitting in a remote location in Montana charging my computer and phone with a Wagan Lithium Cube™ 500. The refrigerator and freezer in the 4×4 Sprinter are powered by our Lithium Cube™ 1200. Our radio banks are charged with the 500 at every Rebelle U training event. These impressive products power so many key functions at Rebelle and throughout the year. They are durable, dependable and long-running. Since the introduction of these products, Wagan has continued to innovate with the Lithium Cube™ EX5 and Lithium Cube™ EX18. We don’t leave home without them.” – Emily Miller, Rebelle Rally Founder and Director
It is fire season. A simple spark or overheated vehicle parts such as your catalytic converter can cause chaos. Make it your standard practice to always check around your car, under your tires, and the brush around you. Be cautious and proactive to prevent problems and care for our environment.
Parting Shot
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” —Joshua J. Marine
Rebelles at their final green checkpoint on the final competition day of 2023.
Photo Credit: Regine Trias
