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The eighth annual Rebelle Rally is underway with female teams from all over the country racing through the Nevada and California desert. The off-road navigation rally covers 1,500 miles through harsh southwest desert terrain, combining old-school navigation, comradery and mechanical know-how over eight days. This year, Jeep is honoring one of its drivers with a short film. Two-time Rebelle champion and Jeep Wrangler 4xe driver Nena Barlow is hoping to inspire more women to join the grueling competition.
“We are changing the stereotypes of off-roading, and my hope is to provide more pathways for entry, especially for women,” Barlow said.
‘Rebelle With a Cause’
This year’s Rebelle Rally happens to coincide with the International Day of the Girl, so it is a wonderful time to celebrate the women in the Rebelle Rally. After the first full day of competition, Nena Barlow and her partner Teralin Petereit are leading the pack. You can keep updated on the daily standings here.
The Jeep short film is called “Rebelle With a Cause.” The video highlights some of the amazing women as they train for the Rebelle. It especially focuses on two-time Rebelle Champion and Jeep Wrangler 4xe driver Nena Barlow. Barlow is a great example of what the Jeep brand stands for. Barlow exemplifies adventure, freedom, authenticity and passion as she works to empower a new generation of women off-road drivers. Barlow’s training sessions are designed to inspire confidence and welcome new competitors into the sport.
Barlow’s Lifelong Interest
Barlow has been guiding off-road tours in her fleet of Jeep Wranglers for 30 years. She credits her father for sparking her interest in exploring. As a back-to-back Rebelle Rally champion at the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler 4xe, she also conducts training sessions to help new Rebelles get ready for the incredibly grueling eight-day competition.
“The more events we have like the Rebelle Rally, the more women are breaking down barriers, making the route smoother for the next generation to enter this world, and I am already seeing change with Gen Z feeling like this is more of their world,” Barlow added.
Eight-Annual Rebelle Rally
As I reported earlier, Jeep brand is teaming up Barlow and Teralin Petereit for the third consecutive year. Team 4xEventure will drive a 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon and will work to defend the overall, electrified and bone stock titles won the last two years in a stock Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The brand is also joining new Rebelle Rally partner Pennzoil in supporting rookie team Full Synd Sisters (#149) behind the wheel of a stock Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The team is comprised of sisters Alex and Megan Taylor.
The Rebelle Rally features 10 automakers and 65 teams from 28 states and three countries. Vehicle classes include the 4x4 class and X-Cross class, and feature crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks. The 2023 Rebelle Rally started Thursday, Oct. 12 in Mammoth Lakes, California, and concludes Oct. 21 in the Imperial Sand Dunes in Southern California.
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Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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