Top Ten Advice for Rookies — From Head Scoring Judge Chrissie Beavis
April 16th, 2025
To kick off our Top Ten series, we figured—who better to start with than Chrissie Beavis?
Chrissie’s been with the Rebelle since the very beginning. She’s our Head Scoring Judge, but more than that, she’s seen it all: the wins, the wipeouts, the “what were we thinking?” moments. Her advice isn’t sugarcoated or overly complicated—it’s the kind of stuff you wish someone had told you before your first rally.
Want to know the #1 mistake rookies make—and the mindset shift that actually makes a difference when you’re deep in it? Chrissie lays it out straight.
- Know the Rules. Read the rulebook and all the bulletins carefully. If you are unsure of what something means, ask the online rally community, and if you’re still not sure, contact the Rally for clarification.
- Test Gear. Many first-time teams go out and buy a bunch of camping gear but don’t try it out first. Make sure you know what you’re bringing and how to use it efficiently.
- Pack Light. Even seasoned teams find themselves wishing they had brought less, and newcomers tend to pack their vehicles full of items they don’t use. Keep your vehicle neat and organized by bringing only the essentials.
- Share Goals. Make sure to discuss your goals for the event with your teammate. You don’t need to have the same goals, but you should definitely be able to understand each other’s stance. The more aligned your goals are, the easier it will be to make joint decisions during the event.
- Bring Spares. Know your vehicle well enough to know what parts are the most likely to be a problem. Doing this research and bringing the right spares will also help you understand the weakest parts and allow you to drive in a way that protects them.
- Take a Class. We highly recommend coming to a Rebelle U training! The Rebelle format requires a combination of skills and knowledge from a variety of off-road adventuring types. Taking regular navigation or off-road driving classes is a start, but Rebelle U’s broad curriculum and method of ‘scaffolding’ skills make even the most challenging tasks seem easy.
- Take Responsibility. Most people have never been in a situation where they’re relying so much on another person for so long. It can be easy to start blaming your teammate, but don’t do it! Realize that you are the only person you have control over, and by modifying your own attitude/tone/actions, you have the power to change any situation.
- Ride the Middle. During the event, there will be highs and lows, but remember: it’s a long event, so make sure you can focus on the task at hand.
- Actively Listen. You will be given a lot of information during the event (in both verbal and written form); listen—or read—carefully, and without assuming you know what’s going to be said. This will keep you from missing important changes and details.
- Have Fun! Yes, we can all agree that this might be ‘Type 2’ fun, but the more you can relax and enjoy each moment, the sooner you’ll realize how much fun each new challenge really is!
