Nissan Armada powers Team Wild Grace to strong finish at the 2018 Rebelle Rally

After 10 days, 1,600 miles (2,575km) and innumerable coffees, Sedona Blinson and Leah Heffelfinger crossed the finish line of the third annual Rebelle Rally behind the wheel of 'Babe', a 2018 Nissan Armada. The work-from-home mothers finished 11 out of 41 total entries, out-performing 30 off-road competitors.

The 2018 Rebelle Rally, the only women's off-road navigation rally in the States, is a 10-day off-road adventure that began 11 October in Lake Tahoe and concluded 20 October in San Diego.

"Rich in off-road heritage, we felt the Armada was an ideal vehicle to navigate through the stunning and challenging terrains of the Rebelle Rally - and Team Wild Grace made us proud," said Tiago Castro, Director of Trucks and SUVs, Nissan North America.

"Congratulations to Leah and Sedona, and thank you for showing the world how capable and comfortable the Armada really is."

'Babe' competed in the Bonestock category - created for stock, unmodified vehicles to provide a platform within the 4×4 and Crossover classes. Heffelfinger noted that fellow competitors originally were surprised to see the Armada alongside other 4x4 Bonestock entries, but by the end, people had a 'newfound respect' for the Armada's capabilities.

"The Bonestock category was designed to prove that the vehicle in your driveway is more capable than you think it is, and the Armada proved exactly that," said Heffelfinger, an adventure-seeker from California who now resides in Flagstaff, Ariz. "It proved to be a powerhouse, dominating whoops, crawling up large and rocky hill climbs with ease in 4-Low. The fact that we came in 11 out of 41 vehicles proves the Armada is every bit as capable as its competitors."

Competition days were long and challenging, beginning at sunrise and often lasting well past sunset with few breaks in between. Team Wild Grace said the shortened checkpoint time restraints made this year's Rally especially challenging. By the end of the 10-day marathon, Blinson and Heffelfinger departed San Diego understandably exhausted but already looking forward to next year's competition.