Rebelle Rally Field Update: Day 3
Rebelle Rally is more than just a competition and teams chasing checkpoints; it’s about working with our partners to preserve our natural resources and protect our land for future generations. The intense 483-kilometer DAY 3 route, was the second day of the first marathon stage. They started with the final on-time enduro before rejoining the pavement to avoid the sensitive wildlife areas of the Desert Wildlife Preserve and Ash Meadows Wildlife Preserve. Emily Miller, Founder of the Rebelle Rally, had originally hoped to take the route through this section, but after discussions with officials and biologists working on this area, they opted for the pavement route as the area has been challenged by increased traffic and improper use.
Our Bronze Partner, FOX Factory’s Trail Trust, is also sponsoring DAY 3. Since its founding in 2021, Trail Trust has championed sustainable adventure for all. Their goal is to unite diverse communities to build, maintain, and expand access to trails. Through our partnership, Rebelle Rally is committed to amplifying its message to our competitors and the LIVE show presented by Toyota viewers.
Teams followed the pavement around the north side of Las Vegas and transitioned back onto the dirt in the area of Crystal for several checkpoints. Their route this afternoon led them into Death Valley National Park, featuring stunning views of the vast Mojave Desert and, of course, the massive peaks of Dumont Dunes.
Basecamp 2 for the Rebelles is nestled into the Dumont Dunes OHV area, and when they arrived and thought they were wrapping up for the day, teams were thrown for another curveball. They were issued a Distance and Heading Challenge from Rebelle Course Director Jimmy Lewis at checkpoint 15, which affected their hunt for CP16 and CP17. The challenge involved finding two black checkpoints without leaving their car or using their compass. “We wanted them to think a little more instinctively because they rely so heavily on their instruments, to feel it more than having to look at something,” shared Lewis. “When they’re locked in the car, they are forced to do it this way because their compasses don’t work, and they must devise different ways to figure out that heading and distance instead of being precise with tools.”
“The challenge went well,” continued Jimmy. “Teams struggled heavily, and it was meant to be that way. There was a time constraint put on the challenge, so they had to react and think fast, which was much more difficult than they expected. I’m happy about it, and they now have a new skill to practice.”
Results for DAY 3 ended with Team #152 Chaos Finders (Becky Brophy/Samantha Barber) on top for the 4×4 class and Team #204 MtnSubi (Carey Lando/Andrea Shaffer) in the X-Cross® class. This evening was the first time teams saw their scores from the past two days. Whether happy or upset by the results, the teams are now in the thick of competition and realize they must keep focusing to stay on top.
Competition Quotes
#204 Andrea Shaffer
“We had a great couple of days. We have missed either none or only one point on the enduros every day so far this rally and hit one of every single checkpoint along the way, including most of the X’s. Today was very long. It felt like a whole day just in the first half of the day because it was a 294-kilometer transit, and then on top of that was another 200-plus kilometers of checkpoints. I try just to keep looking at the roads and making sure that I don’t miss a turn because missing a turn is not fun.”
#152 Samantha Barber
Tell me what happened this morning. Did you go to bed feeling okay? Were you dehydrated?
“I went to bed feeling fine. I woke up around 2:30 am with really bad stomach cramps and not feeling well. It lasted through until whenever we got up in the morning. We went and woke the medics up, which was hard because I felt guilty for waking them up. Everybody’s still sleeping, but I needed help. Becky walked with me to make sure that I was okay. They got me some stomach medicine and something to help me. The enduro was rough. I cried for almost the entire hour straight because it hurt so bad. My stomach was cramping and hurt so bad. Actually, Nena and Teralin had some medicine that helped me. The medics got some medicine that helped me, and I was able to finish the rest of the day and feel much, much better now.”
#152 Becky Brophy
What was the hardest part of today?
“The Enduro, with her feeling so bad, I could tell. I was like, let me know if you want me to stop in the middle of the Enduro because she needed to do her thing. But she pushed through. I could tell it was really hard for her, which made it hard for me, of course, because I’m feeling for her. She pushed through. She gave it everything she had. So did I.”
#120 Cara McClellan
Rookie team – What were your expectations coming in, and how have they changed by DAY 3?
“I expected it to be hard as far as navigation wise. Driving we’re both good at it as far as the team goes. So we expected some challenges there, but mostly with the navigation. The courses have been absolutely beautiful. When Emily said she was giving us a gift of this rally, she did not sell it short.”
Partner Highlight: FOX Trail Trust
FOX Trail Trust is excited to be returning to the Rebelle Rally as a Bronze sponsor for 2024, and for the first time, FOX is sending a team composed of one of their female engineers and supported athlete, Kristen Matlock, to compete. They are driving the King of the Hammers Edition Bronco. Their presence at the Rally focuses this year on being a different kind of champion, one that leads the way in delivering sustainable adventure to everyone.
“Since launching Trail Trust in 2021, FOX Factory has focused on championing sustainable adventure for all, including expanding access to outdoor adventuring so everyone can experience the thrill of the ride. The Rebelle Rally perfectly embodies the mission of Trail Trust, and we’re thrilled to return as a sponsor for the second year in a row. In an industry often dominated by men, it’s vital that women have the chance to participate in world-class events like the Rebelle Rally. This year, we’re excited to be taking our support a step further by sending a team composed of one of our female engineers and a FOX-supported athlete to compete in the Rally. We can’t wait to see them shine on this impressive stage.” – Jackie Martin, Chief Purpose and Inclusion Officer
For more information, please visit www.trailtrust.com.
About the Rebelle Rally
The Rebelle Rally is the longest competitive off-road rally in the United States. Traversing over 2,100 kilometers through Nevada and California’s iconic terrain, it is an endurance competition for women consisting of precision driving and navigating – not fastest speed. The competition is innovative and unique, using maps, compass, roadbooks and strategy – known as Rebelle Format. GPS and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited. Remote and off-grid for eight competition days, the Rebelle Rally is considered a providing ground for people, products and stock manufacturer vehicles.
