The Rebelle Rally is the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid of its type in the United States. It is the ultimate road trip for the adventurous and competitive women. The rally is competition of precise navigation using only map and compass. It takes place over seven days and 1,243 miles of back roads, across deserts and over mountains between Lake Tahoe, Nevada and San Diego, California. No GPS or any electronic navigation is permitted. Thirty-five teams completed the competition last year, with more than forty are competing this year.
The Rebelle Rally is organized by veteran off-road racer and trainer, Emily Miller. Miller was the first U.S. woman to compete in the long-running Gazelle Rally in Morocco.
Nena Barlow comes with more than 20-years of experience in the four-wheel drive (4WD) industry, and grew up exploring the Southwest. She is the owner and operator of Barlow Adventures, a Jeep rental and 4WD training company, and a certified Master Trainer with the International 4WD Trainers Association. Though a competitor, Barlow has also been providing technical 4WD training for teams competing in the Rebelle Rally, as well as offering rally-ready Jeep rentals.
Chris Mayne is a rally veteran on multiple continents, with the last two year’s Rebelle Rally under her belt, as well as twelve Rallye de Gazelles in Morrocco and 2010 winner of the Rallye de Princesses in France. Mayne is, literally, a rock star, having several albums produced in the U.S. and internationally. She can usually be persuaded to wow the crowd at the gala or campfire with some vocals. She says “Nena and I worked very well together last year and had a lot of fun. We are really taking it to the next level this year. I am excited to be returning. ”
The Bone Stock Award goes to the team who attains the most points in an unmodified vehicle, regardless of competition class. Barlow and Mayne brought home the Bone Stock Award and second place overall for 2017 in a Ram 2500 Power Wagon. In 2016, the inaugural year for the Rebelle Rally, Barlow competed with teammate Kande Jacobsen in a 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel Crew Cab 4×4, and brought home the Bone Stock award with an overall third place finish.
Barlow and Mayne will be driving a stock 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel Quad Cab 4×4 in the competition, exactly as the model rolls out of the factory. Once again, Barlow will fill the role of driver, while Mayne fills the right seat as navigator. Both women bring strong driving and navigating skills to the team, and can swap roles if necessary.
Barlow says this 2018 rally is going to see even stiffer competition in the stock designation. “I am proud to have brought home the Bone Stock Award for Ram Trucks the last two years. The pressure is on for a three-peat! 1200 miles offroad is a great proving ground for any vehicle. This will show how tough, capable, and comfortable the Rebel is.”
The event is currently on it’s third day of action and goes until the 20th.
You can follow the action LIVE on the Rebelle Rally site, HERE. Or follow the 4-Corners Rally Team on the Facebook page, HERE.
