MINI celebrates historic Rebelle Rally Debut with Third-Place Podium Finish and Two Team Awards.

Glamis, California. MINI is celebrating a remarkable debut at the 2026 Rebelle Rally, where driver and MINI enthusiast Felicia Killman along with navigator Erika Ferrer, a member of the BMW Group Corporate Communications team in Mexico, earned a third-place podium finish in the X-Cross class, along with two additional team awards, in the new  MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.

In MINI’s first-ever entry 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 a fearless spirit while putting MINI’s newest adventure-focused edition to the test across some of the most challenging terrain in the American West.

As an all-women’s competition, the Rebelle Rally celebrates the skill, resilience, and resourcefulness of women in motorsport. Over eight days and more than 1,500 miles of rugged terrain across Nevada, California, and Utah, competitors navigate desert trails, rocky climbs, sand washes, and river crossings using traditional tools rather than GPS. For Killman and Ferrer, the demanding competition presented an opportunity to make MINI history while demonstrating the capabilities of the newly introduced MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.

The team earned three distinguished honors recognizing its competitive performance, rookie achievement, and positive impact on the Rebelle Rally community:

• Third Place – X-Cross Class: A podium finish for the team in MINI’s inaugural appearance at the competition.
• Rookies of the Year – X-Cross Class: Recognition of Killman and Ferrer’s outstanding first campaign, demonstrating the value of preparation, perseverance, and teamwork.
• “Challenge Accepted” Award – Presented by Stryten Energy: Voted on by fellow competitors and event staff, this special team honor recognizes those who embrace challenges with an exceptional attitude and inspire others through their example.

Together, the three awards mark a milestone for Killman and Ferrer and a memorable first appearance for MINI at the Rebelle Rally. While the honors recognize the team and its accomplishments, the competition also provided a demanding real-world proving ground for the MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.

Three Awards. One Unforgettable Team.
Unlike traditional motorsport competitions that reward outright speed, the Rebelle Rally challenges teams to find checkpoints and accumulate points through precise navigation, strategic decision-making, and teamwork. With GPS navigation prohibited, competitors must rely on maps, compass, and a roadbook to chart their routes across more than 1,500 miles of demanding terrain.

The 2026 competition pushed teams to their limits, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit, powerful storms, rain, river crossings, steep climbs, and challenging sand dunes. In the final stages, wind gusts reaching 50 mph sent blowing sand across the course, creating whiteout conditions and dramatically reducing visibility.

Through it all, Killman and Ferrer persevered, strengthening their partnership and adapting to the challenges of the course. Their third-place finish in the X-Cross class marked a significant achievement in their first Rebelle Rally campaign. The Rookie of the Year honor recognized 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.

The MINI Countryman Untamed Edition: Adventure, Proven.
Revealed to the world just days before the competition began, the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition made its competitive debut on one of the most demanding real-world proving grounds imaginable.

Designed to bring a more rugged, adventure-oriented character to the MINI Countryman, the Untamed Edition combines distinctive styling with enhanced all-terrain versatility. U.S. models include MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive, a suspension lift, specially developed all-terrain tires, and exclusive 19-inch Untamed Edition wheels. Together, these features support confident exploration beyond paved roads while preserving the distinctive personality and driving character of MINI.

FAQ.

How did MINI perform at the 2026 Rebelle Rally?
MINI finished third in the X-Cross class on its first-ever appearance at the Rebelle Rally. The team also received the Rookies of the Year title and the “Challenge Accepted” Award.

Who competed for MINI at the 2026 Rebelle Rally?
Driver Felicia Killman and navigator Erika Ferrer competed for MINI in the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.

Which awards did the MINI team win at the 2026 Rebelle Rally?
The MINI team achieved third place in the X-Cross class, was named Rookies of the Year in the X-Cross class and received the “Challenge Accepted” Award presented by Stryten Energy.

What is the Rebelle Rally?
The Rebelle Rally is an all-women’s off-road navigation competition in the United States. Teams navigate more than 1,500 miles across Nevada, California and Utah using maps, a compass and a roadbook instead of GPS.

Which MINI model competed in the Rebelle Rally?
The new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition made its competitive debut at the 2026 Rebelle Rally, just days after its world premiere.

What equipment did the MINI Countryman Untamed Edition use at the Rebelle Rally?
The U.S. specification of the MINI Countryman Untamed Edition features MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive, a suspension lift, specially developed all-terrain tyres and exclusive 19-inch Untamed Edition wheels.

In case of queries, please contact:
Corporate Communications

Julian Kisch, Press Spokesperson, Product- & Design Communications MINI
Phone: +49-151-601-38072
E-mail: julian.kisch@mini.com

Micaela Sandstede, Head of Communications MINI
Phone: +49-176-601-61611
E-mail: micaela.sandstede@bmw.de