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Mercedes Lilienthal
Team Anam Cara (#164) following its roll over late in the game. Fortunately, no one was injured.
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Mercedes Lilienthal
Clearwater Design Team (#100).
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Mercedes Lilienthal
Fast 'N Curious Team (#145) at speed.
Words and photos by Mercedes Lilienthal
Long days, short nights, dust, dirt, and determination encompasses each competitor as they participate in the 2,414 km (1,500 mi) off-road traditional navigational run known as the Rebelle Rally.
The Rebelle Rally is a unique 10-day event that’s held every year in October and guys can’t be a competitor at this rally, it’s only for women. As 2019 marks its fourth year, this off-road event starts north of Lake Tahoe, CA, and winds its way south to the Mexican border. While the course is top secret, Rebelle women drive their way through the Nevada and California deserts – navigating through an endless array of dirt, rock, mud, and sand. It’s the perfect setting to offer limitless chances to test a competitor’s stamina. Two Canadian teams, as well as two half Canadian/half US teams ran the 2019 Rebelle.
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Mercedes Lilienthal
Michelle Laframboise and Elise Racette.
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Mercedes Lilienthal
Michelle Laframboise and Elise Racette.
Seasoned ralliers Michelle Laframboise and Elise Racette have partnered for three of the four Rebelle Rally competitions. Three-time International Cup winners and top 10 4x4 class recipients, this powerhouse of a duo even tied for first place in the 4x4 category in 2018. Laframboise, an experienced competitor, was the driver in stage rally in Canada and the US for six years. She also raced for two years in GT Sprints in Ontario, the first year in GT4 in a Mitsubishi Evo 9 and the second year in GT2 in a 700 HP NasTruck. Racette, from Mirabel, QC, also a seasoned competitor, works as a project manager, is a single mom of a seven-year-old boy and also co-drives in performance rallies.
Team: #100 ClearWater Design
Driver: Michelle Laframboise (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Rebelle and Canadian participant)
Navigator: Elise Racette (2017, 2018, 2019 Rebelle and Canadian participant)
2019 Vehicle: Barlow Adventures customized Jeep Rubicon JL
Why did you decide to compete in the Rebelle Rally?
MF: I had never done any off-roading and it was a new challenge.
ER: Michelle asked me to jump in the seat and I can never say no to a new challenge.
What was the easiest thing for you during the rally?
MF: Our routine, the division of tasks and comfort, and working together as a team.
ER: Getting along and getting organized, we know each other well, so this is a big obstacle we don't have to face.
What was the most challenging thing during the rally?
MF: Regrets for mistakes we made.
ER: The new penalty rule was a challenge. Deciding to take the chance to click and risk a 10 point penalty although you really are trying to get that black CP. Especially knowing that you don't really have the time to validate the coordinates to confirm you're within the radius.
What’s your biggest takeaway?
MF: What I liked best about my four-year journey with the Rebelle was the learning process. My competence and confidence off-road – and particularly in the dunes – has improved substantially. This year, I was trying to share tips and tricks that we had learned over the last four years. Now I’m ready for a new challenge. I am not sure what that will be.
ER: The friendships
Mercedes Lilienthal
Nathalie Lanthier.
Team: #102
Driver: Martine Béliveau (rookie, Canadian participant)
Navigator: Nathalie Lanthier (rookie, Canadian participant)
Vehicle: 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Edition
2019 build list:
- Rubicon Express 2.5” Lift
- Poison Spyder Rock Sliders
- Aftermarket Flat Fenders
- 33” BF Goodrich KO2 Tires
- Pro Comp Wheels
- Smittybuilt Front Winch Bumper
- Runva 10,000 lb. Winch with synthetic rope
- TrailFX Rear Bumper
- FrogFab Skid Plates
- Body Armor Roof Rack and Roof Basket
- Teraflex Steering Component
French Canadians Martine Béliveau and Nathalie Lanthier were rookies at this year’s Rebelle Rally, but that didn’t stop them from having fun. Béliveau, from Montréal, has always been a little bit of a tomboy. Her mother called her “her guy.” When there was something wrong in the house, her mother would ask her to fix it, rather than her brother. Lanthier, a Montréal native now living on the South Shore of the city for more than 30 years, works as a patient assistant. Being friends for more than 30 years, Béliveau asked her if she’d be interested in participating in the Rebelle. She raised her hand, and the rest is history.
How did you do during the rally (how did you place, how did you feel)?
MB: I must admit I didn't think it was that difficult. At times, I felt completely lost and out of place. I'm a natural go-getter, so I rolled up my sleeves and said let's go, one day at a time. That's how I passed through it.
NL: It wasn’t really easy the first day. Everything was new, [especially] the language. I speak English but technical things are something else. The environment was new; it was my first time in USA and a first rally for me.
What was the coolest part(s) of the rally?
MB: For me, it was nice to see the new landscape. It was the first time I have been trail riding in the sand and it's really different from my reality. I really enjoyed it.
NL: Seeing new faces and becoming friends. It was great to meet so many nice, friendly people.
What did you learn from this experience?
MB: This is the kind of situation where you really get to know a person. Even after more than 30 years, I learned things I didn't know about Nathalie.
NL: Never, ever give up. No matter what happens.
Mercedes Lilienthal
Elise Bent of Fast 'N Curious.
Team: #145 Fast 'N Curious
Driver: Kris Vockler (returning Rebelle and US participant)
Navigator: Elise Bent (2018, 2019 Rebelle and Canadian participant)
Vehicle: 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
2019 build list:
- Dana 44 Heavy-Duty Axles
- 3.5" Rubicon Express
- Teraflex 3.2 Shocks
- Fuel and transfer Case Skid Plates
- Ace Engineering Rock Sliders
- Eagle Alloy Wheels
- Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 35” LT35X12.5R17 Tires
- Barricade Trail Force Front and Rear Bumpers
- Teraflex Heavy Duty Tire Carrier
- Teraflex Nebo Roof Rack
- WARN 9.5xp-s Winch With Synthetic Rope
- ARB Twin Air Onboard Air System
- EVO Oil Pan Armor
- ARB Differential Covers
- Goose Gear JKU Plate System and Cubbies
Elise Bent, a native Canadian living in Bozeman, MT, is a two-time Rebelle competitor. In 2018, she rallied with me as Team Free Range Dames (I was the driver and Bent was the navigator). This year Bent navigated for Team Fast 'N Curious (as Vockler drove). Bent, who has a background in animal agriculture and geospatial data science, spends a lot of time outdoors. She enjoys hiking, camping, and skiing, and going on road trips to visit National Parks or other beautiful destinations.
How did you two meet each other?
EB: When Kris' partner and cousin had to drop out in August, Emily Miller recommended me as an alternate navigator. Although I'd been planning to skip 2019 and come back in 2020, I just couldn't resist this opportunity. We met in person for the first time two days before tech inspection and hit it off right away.
Were you prepared for the Rebelle Rally? If not, how did you compensate for that?
EB: I have to say, this year we were very prepared. There are always things that can be improved on and having six weeks notice on my end meant little time to practice. However, we had both done this before and knew what to expect. We were comfortable with our navigation abilities and (miraculously) didn't forget anything. This year was more about really challenging ourselves to give 100 percent every day to improve and learn as much as possible for future years.
What did you think of the rally course?
EB: The course this year was phenomenal. It was beautiful, fun, and the driving was more interesting. I really enjoyed the diversity of the terrain throughout the course as it challenged driver and navigator in different ways every day, and kept things fresh.
Mercedes Lilienthal
Thayer Low (foreground) and Penny Dale of Team Anam Cara (#164) looking for a checkpoint.
Team: #164 Team Anam Cara
Driver: Thayer Low (returning Rebelle and US participant)
Navigator: Penny Dale (2018, 2019 Rebelle and Canadian participant)
Vehicle: 2013 Land Rover LR4
2019 build list:
- Voyager Racks: Skid Plate, Roof Rack, Tire Carrier, Rock Sliders
- WARN 9.5xp-s Winch With Synthetic Rope
- Hidden Winch Mount
- Compomotive Wheels 18" Rally Raid Wheels
- Knightsbridge Overland Tactical Seat Covers
- BritPart 2" Fully Adjustable Suspension Lift Rods
- BFG K02 All-Terrain Tires
- Baja Designs Driving Lights
Penny Dale, a resident of Vancouver, BC and native of Salt Spring Island, is a registered interior designer and owns her own business. Penny rallied with her US teammate, Thayer Low, for the 2018 and 2019 competitions in Low’s 2013 Land Rover LR4. These two-time Rebelles took the custom-wrapped Rover through 2,424 km (1,500 mi) of dirt, rock, mud, and sand. They tested their endurance, navigational skills, and driving prowess. Sometimes the unexpected can happen, which can turn even a seasoned off-roader’s world upside-down.
Were you prepared for the Rebelle Rally? If not, how did you compensate for that?
PD: I felt much more prepared this year, but it’s inevitable to think you could be more prepared. This year was a lot less effort than last year and dare we say the preparation felt easy. There’s always more to learn about orienteering and there is always more terrain to train in, but that shouldn't hold you back from competing because “if not now, when?”
How did you do during the rally (how did you place, how did you feel)?
PD: This year we felt great during the rally. We were focused and placed well all week, starting with a second place start and maintaining top ten almost every day. It was clicking and it felt pretty surreal, honestly. We were pushing ourselves to maintain our ranking, or better, but we knew the dunes would be our biggest struggle since we’ve had the least amount of time training in that type of terrain. After a perfect start to the morning, we wiped out in the larger dunes and couldn’t continue on. In the end, we finished 18th, which we’re still really proud of especially considering the number of points we couldn’t pursue and the “demerit” points from mechanical assistance that we lost.
Any unexpected things happen?
PD: Well, you could say our vehicle doing a somersault in the dunes was a little unexpected.
TL: We were rocking the last day and were going for a black checkpoint in the larger dunes. We came down a steep slope and got stuck at the bottom. After a little digging with our trusty MAXTRAX we were out and I gunned it to get back on top of the dunes, probably driving right past the black we were going for. However with the warmer, softer sand and the weight of the vehicle I could feel it gradually slipping. I turned downhill but not fast enough. The roll was completely slow motion for me. Peanuts, water bottles and rulers were flying on me as the vehicle rolled and landed back on the tires. I’m just so grateful that Penny wasn’t in the car. Driving the LR4 across the finish line still made it feel like we ended on a high note.
The LR4 had rolled in the hot mid-day sand and although it ended up being a total loss, the team succeeded without injury.
Conclusion
No matter what happens during the Rebelle Rally, people are there to help. Things happen but the community of competitors and organizers quickly rally around those in need. That’s one of the many things that make the Rebelle Rally truly special. It’s a rally that tests skill, time management, and determination. I can’t wait to see what next year brings.