Ladies, if you’ve ever dreamed of challenging your mind, body, and soul in a Dakar-style rally but were turned off by the copious volumes of testosterone oozing from every tread block, gearbox, and bicep, the Rebelle Rally has answered your call. Created by Rallye Aicha des Gazelles competitor and U.S. team trainer Emily Miller, the Rebelle Rally will be heralded as the first all-female, old-school, off-pavement navigation rally in the U.S. For those new to this up-and-coming genre in North American automotive competition, “old school” is defined as no GPS track, smartphone, iPad, computer, or chase support. You are given waypoints and utilize a good old paper map, compass, ruler, and dead reckoning to plot the most efficient route. It has been argued that this is the purest form of the sport, and one that will challenge even the most accomplished brainiac.

Teams will depart Lake Tahoe, California, on October 13, 2016, and spend 10 days working their way across Nevada on lonely two-tracks, sand dunes, and alkali flats. On some nights they will rendezvous at organized bivouacs; other nights will be spent solo camping en route. By the time they reach the checkered flag amidst a set of “undisclosed” Southern California sand dunes, they will have covered over 2,000 kilometers of the West’s most rugged and spectacular backcountry. In contrast to the dust and grime of the desert, a black-tie post-competition gala at the Del Mar racetrack near San Diego will bookend the event.

The event is designed for stock four-wheel drives, SUVs, and crossovers; all you need to bring is the yearning for adventure

A noteworthy aspect of the Rebelle Rally is that you don’t need to be a professional driver or own a heavily modified vehicle to compete. The event is designed for stock four-wheel drives, SUVs, and crossovers; all you need to bring is the yearning for adventure. Meals and showers, as well as mechanical and medical support are provided at each bivouac. If you need to sharpen your navigational skills, fear not. Participants receive online training, as well as tracking services so your friends and family can follow your progress. If you are up for the ultimate “all-girls” road trip, the Rebelle Rally might be the adventure you’ve been waiting for.

REBELLE RALLY