On the same historic day that two women made history with the first all-female space-walk, two exceptional women set a record in the deserts of California becoming back-to-back champions of America’s premier off-road rally. In turn, earlier this week Rolls-Royce Motor Cars congratulated ‘Team #200’ on taking top honors in the Crossover Class at the 2019 edition of the popular Rebelle Rally.
The Rebelle Rally, now in its fourth year, is the first all-female off-road navigational rally held within the United States. The event has a unique challenge and scoring system where precise navigation and timing — not speed — is the ultimate goal. Participants trade in cell phones and GPS for “old-school navigation” in a competition against the elements of time, distance, headings, and hidden checkpoints.
Armed only with maps, compasses, and roadbooks, 50 teams of two were pushed to their limits as they made their way across 2,300 kilometers of Nevada and California’s iconic terrain. Teams could only utilize the supplies they carried in their vehicles, requiring not only precise navigation, fearless driving, but also meticulous planning. Cullinan provided the Hall-Donaghe duo more than enough room and a luxurious ride through the adventure. The Cullinan performed without any issues, although the rocks and paths of the California mountains did take a toll on their tires, forcing the team to complete the final two days without either of their two original spares.
Driver Emme Hall and navigator Rebecca Donaghe took their “Team #200’ Cullinan through a challenge very few will encounter, facing their struggles head-on as they traversed mountains, valleys, salt flats and treacherous desert sand dunes. “By taking this epic experience in the Rebelle Rally and doing it in a way that is even more epic, was a complete honor and privilege,” said Rebecca Donaghe and Emme Hall as they finished each other’s sentences at the finish line. “The idea that we could do something that people may have thought was absolutely wild and come out on the top was a greater challenge and one we were excited to accept. The Cullinan became like a third teammate to us and will forever be in our hearts as a fierce competitor.” Over the eight-day journey, the team spent more than 80 hours in in the Bespoke leather seats, navigating and driving together to victory.
Said Martin Fritsches, President and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas. “I’m proud to be associated with these talented and wonderful ladies… They competed the way we build each Rolls-Royce… with precision, power and grace. This performance sets aside any questions about the capabilities of Cullinan in the real world.”
More on the Rebelle Rally is online at www.rebellerally.com, while Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas keeps an Internet home at www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com.
