MINI CELEBRATES ITS HISTORIC DEBUT IN THE REBELLE RALLY WITH A THIRD-PLACE PODIUM FINISH AND TWO TEAM AWARDS
MINI is celebrating an extraordinary debut in the 2026 Rebelle Rally, where driver and MINI enthusiast Felicia Killman, alongside co-driver Erika Ferrer—a member of the BMW Group Corporate Communications team in Mexico—managed to reach the podium in third place in the X-Cross category, in addition to securing two additional team awards aboard the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition. In MINI’s first-ever participation in the Rebelle Rally, one of the longest off-road navigation rallies of its kind in the United States, the team demonstrated determination, teamwork, and an intrepid spirit by putting the new adventure-oriented edition of the MINI to the test in some of the most demanding terrains of the American West.
As an all-female competition, the Rebelle Rally honors the skill, endurance, and ingenuity of women in the automotive world. Over the course of eight days and more than 2,400 kilometers of rugged terrain across Nevada, California, and Utah, the participants navigate desert trails, rocky climbs, sand washes, and river crossings using traditional tools instead of GPS. For Killman and Ferrer, this demanding competition presented an opportunity to make history with MINI while proving the capabilities of the recently introduced MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.
The team earned three prestigious awards in recognition of their competitive performance, their achievements as rookies, and their positive impact on the Rebelle Rally community:
• Third Place – X-Cross Category: A podium finish for the team in MINI’s very first participation in the competition.
• Rookies of the Year – X-Cross Category: A standout performance by Killman and Ferrer in their first participation, proving the value of preparation, perseverance, and teamwork.
• “Challenge Accepted” Award – presented by Stryten Energy: This special team award, voted on by fellow participants and event staff, recognizes those who face challenges with an exceptional attitude and inspire others through their example.
Altogether, the three awards mark a milestone for Killman and Ferrer and a memorable first participation for MINI in the Rebelle Rally. While the accolades recognize the team and their achievements, the competition also served as a demanding real-world testbed for the MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.
Three awards. One unforgettable team.
Unlike traditional motorsport competitions that reward pure speed, the Rebelle Rally challenges teams to find checkpoints and accumulate points through precise navigation, strategic decision-making, and teamwork. Since GPS navigation is prohibited, participants must rely on maps, a compass, and a roadbook to plot their routes across more than 2,400 kilometers of demanding terrain.
The 2026 edition pushed teams to the limit, featuring temperatures close to 38°C (100°F), severe storms, rain, river crossings, steep climbs, and challenging sand dunes. In the final stages, wind gusts of up to 80 km/h blew sand across the entire course, creating a sand curtain that drastically reduced visibility.
Despite all of this, Killman and Ferrer perseverered, strengthening their partnership and adapting to the challenges of the course. Their third-place finish in the X-Cross category was a significant achievement for their first time in the Rebelle Rally. The Rookie of the Year accolade honored their impressive debut, while the “Challenge Accepted” award reflected the respect of fellow competitors and event staff for the team’s attitude, determination, and ability to inspire others.
