Recap of Rebelle Rally 2018

Photos Provided by Rebelle Rally

The 2018 Rebelle Rally finished on October 20th in San Diego, CA. After driving more than 1600 miles off-road, navigating to over 234 check points across two states and two national parks, 84 competitors from 6 nations and 68 staff celebrated the finish.  Winners of the 4x4 class were Canadians Michelle Laframboise and Elise Racette tied with Americans Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe. Laframboise-Racette also won the International Cup while Hall-Donaghe were also winners of the Bone Stock with the their Jeep JL.

DMOS was proud to sponsor the Rebelle Rally which is the longest endurance off-road event in North America.  Competitors have to be completely self-reliant and use only map and compass to earn points by staying on route and on time. Alongside other sponsors including Hoehn Adventures, Tepui Outdoors, Mapbox, PrAna Living, Corkcicle, Big Agnes, Maxtrax, Total Chaos Fabrication, Suunto, Mountain House, Roam Built, Jeep, COOLA, Cafe Moto, Rally Navigator, Satellite Phone Store, Chocolove, Deadman Off-Road, Treadlightly, Off-Road Like a Girl, DMOS supports the spirit of adventure, self-reliance, and general badassery required to complete this event. Congratulations to all involved!

Founder, Susan Pieper, was also a competitor in the 4x4 class acting as navigator alongside partner, Heather Berman, driving Berman’s own Mercedes G550 4x4 Squared.  That vehicle turned some heads as, though it is built to withstand the toughest terrain, the few owners who have it as a daily driver, infrequently put it to the test like Berman and Pieper did.  However, the vehicle performed well and finished requiring nothing more than routine service, wheel alignment, and a good detail.

We caught up with Susan in the office this week and here are here reflections on the race:  

“We entered knowing that we were complete rookies. Both my partner and I had raced in other events but never in off-road motorsports events.  We had to learn how to compete at off-road driving and navigating not just checkpoints but also enduro-style timed racing. Rebelle founder, Emily Miller, advised us  that winning is a long-tail game. “First year, you learn to finish. Second year, you learn to compete. Third year, you’re ‘in it to win it’ so come back stronger next year.”    Now that the Rebelle is in my soul, I get what Emily advised and I, for one, want to return to drive in the best wild open spaces, all public lands, in the lower 48.”

DMOS plans to continue to support the Rebelle and introduce new off-road shovels and mounts for people who drive off-road and need the best recovery shovel.  

We might even make one in Rebelle blue.  Stay tuned for next year.