Team Toyota ventured into the Mojave Desert for the Rebelle Rally, a unique women’s off-roading challenge, where they put their skills to the test over 1,400 miles of rugged terrain. The challenge pushed the teams to rely solely on traditional navigation methods, with no modern technology like GPS or electronic devices.
This year, 12 Toyota employees made up six formidable pairs of drivers who showcased their driving and navigational prowess, providing valuable insights into the real-world usage of Toyota trucks. The teams operated a fleet of six Toyota vehicles, ranging from some of the company’s most popular off-road options.
Read on to learn more about the Toyota teams that conquered the 2023 Rebelle Rally.
Heather Eich and Allison McGowan
Team 183, comprising Allison McGowan and Heather Eich, claimed the Runner-up Rookie of the Year title. They navigated the rally in a 2023 Sequoia TRD Pro Hybrid, customized by various Toyota departments, including Service Parts and Accessory Development, Product Engineering Tilt Lab, and CALTY Design Research. Both McGowan and Eich, from Toyota Motor North America R&D, showcased their driving and vehicle maintenance skills, having prepared extensively for the event by participating in trainings and internal driving courses.
“When you break it down, there are a lot of skills learned from the Rebelle Rally that can transfer to our work at Toyota and vice versa,” said Eich.
Kara Yde and Susann Kazunas
This year, Susann Kazunas and Kara Yde teamed up to represent the Toyota Tundra Team. The experience provided them with valuable insights into the off-roading capabilities and functionality of Toyota trucks, enhancing their understanding of customer interests.
“I have a newfound understanding of how our trucks are used in the off-roading space,” said Kazunas.
Rie Iida and Silve’a Perelta
Rie Iida and Silve’a Perelta, driving a 2022 Tundra TRD Pro, demonstrated their commitment as they tackled the rally. Iida, a powertrain analyst at TMNA R&D Gardena in California, was inspired to participate in the event after working on an off-road roundtable discussion with organizers of the Rebelle. Perelta, a fuel cell division supervisor, had no prior off-roading experience and underwent extensive training for the rally.
Samantha Barber and Becky Brophy
Samantha Barber and Becky Brophy, Team 152, had a strong performance at the rally, securing a stage win and a top-five placement. Both have been competing together since 2021 and have excelled as a team with wins in previous events.
“The Rebelle Rally this year had new challenges that really put our skills to the test,” said Barber.
Sandra Li and Myra Padda
Sandra Li and Myra Padda, in the 2023 Sequoia TRD Pro, earned the honor of Rookie of the Year for their impressive performance at the rally. Both engineers brought diverse experiences to the challenge, pushing themselves to excel in an unfamiliar terrain.
“The rally this year was definitely challenging with a lot of curveballs, enduros and technical trail,” said Padda. “As a driver, I really focused on Emily’s reminder about ‘Take care of your third teammate – AKA the vehicle.’”
Ai Keskeny and Karli Raimondo
Ai Keskeny and Karlie Raimondo, Team 195, with little off-roading experience, took on the challenge with enthusiasm. Their background in vehicle design provided them with a unique perspective as they navigated the rugged terrain in a 2019 Tacoma TRD ORP (Off-Road Package).
The 2023 Rebelle Rally was an exciting, challenging rally for all Toyota teams, with no mechanical issues and all teams excelling with tire placement and having no flats. With another successful rally in the books, some drivers are already looking ahead to next year.
“Rebelle Rally is an opportunity for personal growth and independence, to connect with a supportive and genuine group of women, to appreciate nature and the world around us, and so much more,” said Brophy. “It has given me the confidence that I can achieve anything, and that’s why I keep coming back.”