What’s it like to compete in the longest US off-road rally with no GPS?
The Rebelle Rally, a pioneering event in the realm of competitive off-road racing, has celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of empowering women in motorsports. Since its inception in 2016, the rally has transformed from a grassroots initiative into a prestigious competition that showcases not only driving skills but also navigational prowess. Spanning over 2,000 kilometers across the challenging terrains of California and Nevada, the Rebelle Rally is unique in that it forbids the use of GPS, cell phones, or any external support crews. Instead, teams of two rely solely on traditional map-reading skills to plot their routes and locate both marked and unmarked checkpoints. This focus on navigation over speed sets the Rebelle apart from other racing events, emphasizing strategy and teamwork in the face of rugged landscapes.
For this milestone event, the author, who has been involved with the Rebelle Rally since the beginning, returned as a driver in a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, alongside navigator Kendra Miller. Their goal was not just to compete but to defend their history of podium finishes and stage victories. The rally features two classes: the 4×4 category, which includes vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, and the X-Cross category, accommodating vehicles like the Honda Passport and BMW X5. Notably, heavy modifications to the vehicles are not required, making the competition accessible to a wider range of participants. Many teams aim for the prestigious Bone Stock award, which recognizes those who compete with minimal vehicle modifications. As the Rebelle Rally continues to grow, it not only highlights the capabilities of women in motorsports but also fosters a community of adventurers who share a passion for exploration and challenge.
I’ve been involved with the Rebelle Rally since its inception in 2016, either as a competitor or live show host, and over the past 10 years, I’ve seen it evolve from a scrappy rally with big dreams to the world-class event that it is today.
In a nutshell, the Rebelle Rally is the longest competitive off-road rally in the United States, covering over 2,000 kilometers, and it just happens to be for women. Over eight days, teams of two must plot coordinates on a map, figure out their route, and find multiple checkpoints—both marked and unmarked—with no GPS, cell phones, or chase crews. It is not a race for speed but rather a rally for navigational accuracy over some of the toughest terrain California and Nevada have to offer. There are two classes: 4×4 with vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco and X-Cross for cars like the Honda Passport and BMW X5. Heavy modifications aren’t needed, and many teams compete for the coveted Bone Stock award.
For this 10th anniversary, I got back behind the wheel of a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness as a driver, with Kendra Miller as my navigator, to defend my multiple podium finishes and stage wins and get reacquainted with the technology, or lack thereof, that makes this multi-day competition so special.
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