Off-Roadrunners

Our friendship began 25 years ago when we met at an event at Stanford University. Introduced by a mutual friend, we quickly bonded as fellow German natives and have been close ever since. Our shared sense of adventure led us to the Rebelle Rally after Heike was inspired by the competitor lineup of the Gazelle Rally in Nice, France, in 2023. Intrigued by the challenge, we did some research, and it didn’t take long for us to decide to sign up.

Our third teammate is a 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, our “little orange Taco.” Chosen for its proven off-road capabilities and reliability, this truck has seen it all. Plus, we couldn’t resist the funky orange color (“solar octane”) that adds a splash of fun to our journey.

As a team, we are perfectly in sync, sharing priorities and approaches to challenges. We trust and rely on each other, understanding the importance of forgiveness and laughter when mistakes happen. While we initially underestimated the mental and physical challenges ahead, we’ve embraced the preparation process with enthusiasm. From learning how to lower the spare wheel chain (and ditching that approach to access a spare tire entirely!) to attending a Ridgecrest Rebelle U course, we are committed to honing our off-road driving and navigation skills.

As rookies in the rally, our goal is simple: have lots of fun, make new friends among other Rebelles and staff, finish the rally, and still be best friends at the end. We carry with us the advice from our training: “Heading and distance don’t lie!” and “Stay focused, methodical, and always have fun!”