February 2025 Newsletter
February 20th, 2025
10 Years of Rebelles
Ten years ago, seventy-two women lined up at the start line of the very first Rebelle Rally, not knowing exactly what they had signed up for. Some had never driven off-road. Others had never camped for more than a weekend. Most had never relied solely on a compass and a map to find their way across the desert. They came for the challenge—but left with something bigger.
Since then, Rebelles have raced the Baja 1000, launched businesses, switched careers, and taken on challenges they once thought impossible. Some return year after year, drawn by the competition and camaraderie. Others take what they’ve learned and apply it in ways they never expected—at work, at home, and in life’s toughest moments.
As we celebrate ten years of the Rebelle Rally, we’re checking in. Rebelles, where are you now? How has your Rebelle experience shaped your journey? Let us know by filling out our “Where Are They Now?” form—your story may be featured in an upcoming newsletter, on social, or beyond.
The Rebelle Rally is more than a competition—it’s a proving ground. Ten years in, we’re looking at where it’s taken the women who have competed. Let’s see what a decade of Rebelles has built!
Where Are They Now: LeeWhay Pasek
For 4x competitor LeeWhay Pasek, the Rebelle Rally was more than just eight days in the desert—it sparked a whole new way of thinking. In fact, at Tech Inspection during her rookie year, she made a life-changing decision, sending a down payment on 200+ acres of raw land.
Since then, she’s built a homestead from the ground up, is preparing to teach navigation skills to a group of homeschool kids and parents, and still laughs about an unexpected rally landmark that became a guiding light in Glamis.
Our first “Where Are They Now” feature highlights 4x Rebelle LeeWhay Pasek—see where the rally has taken her.
Behind the Scenes: Adventures in Prerunning
Most people see the Rebelle Rally as a world-class competition, but few know what actually goes into making it happen. It’s not just about setting up a course and counting down to the start line. It’s thousands of miles of scouting, months of fine-tuning, and years of experience from people who know what makes a competition like this work.
In addition to course planning with Jimmy Lewis and Rally Navigator owner Mike Shirley, Emily Miller and Nicole Pitell, co-owner of TOTAL CHAOS Fabrication, have spent nearly a decade logging endless hours—and a ridiculous number of miles—driving, mapping, and problem-solving to create an experience that pushes competitors to their limits. The Rebelle isn’t built in a boardroom. It’s built on the ground, in the elements, by people who live and breathe this world.
From brutal scouting runs to rerouting courses at the last minute, Emily, Jimmy, Mike, and Nicole have been doing this since day one, shaping the Rebelle into what it is today. They’ve lived it—the long days, the unpredictable terrain, and the challenges no one sees.
Revisit this TOTAL CHAOS Fabrication interview from last year, where Emily and Nicole take you behind the scenes of what it really takes to bring the Rebelle Rally to life.
In the Press
Two teams, two different backgrounds—both taking on the Rebelle Rally in their own way. Yacht captains Lou Clark and Shelley Morton swapped sea charts for roadbooks, proving that navigation skills translate from water to sand. GM engineers Nicole McKinnon and Kristen Goslawski put the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison through its paces, bringing both technical expertise and real-world grit to the course—along with one unexpected passenger.
Ready to level up your skills? Rebelle U offers expert-led training in driving, navigation, and off-road strategy—whether you’re prepping for the rally or just want to build confidence behind the wheel.
2025 Training Events
- Apr 17-20: 4-Day Driving & Navigation Intensive (Ocotillo Wells, CA)
- Jun 6-8: 3-Day Navigation Intensive with Rebelle Trials event (Ridgecrest, CA)
- Aug 21-24: 4-Day Driving & Navigation Intensive (Ridgecrest, CA)
- Sept 4-5 & 6-7: 2-Day Sand Dune Driving Intensives (Imperial Dunes, CA)
We’re also bringing Rebelle U to Overland Rallies with 1-hour classes covering vehicle prep, navigation basics, and more.
Stay tuned for an announcement about a special edition of Rebelle U & Trials in a new location. We can’t wait to share!
Rebelles know boots…because we live in them. After many days of training and 11 days of rally, you almost have to surgically remove them from your tired feet. Ugh.
“I’m personally always looking for the boot I can fly in, hike in and go to a decent dinner in, without looking like I’ve been marching across the desert for days. While my shortlist of favorites is limited, BED|STÜ is a boot company that we love.” -Emily Miller, Rebelle Founder (This is not a sponsored post. Just an honest recommendation.)
While the Blanchett is no longer in production, we have literally turned to The Turn.
The first-ever Rebelle Rally pushed limits, tested skills, and set the stage for a decade of adventure. See where it all began.
Navigation Practice: Set Your 2025 Goals. Navigation skills are like muscles—they need regular work to stay sharp. Start the year by practicing with your compass, map, or roadbook. Create a small challenge on a weekend adventure: plot a short course and navigate without tech. Learn how to find north with an analog watch. It may just save your life. Building confidence now means you’ll be ready when it matters most. #LongMayWeDrive
Parting Shot
“The only way to do it is to do it.” —Amelia Earhart
Photo Credit: Ernesto Araiza of Baja Authentic
