- Mini finished third in the X-Cross class on its first entry in the Rebelle Rally.
- Felicia Killman and Erika Ferrer navigated more than 2400km using maps, a compass and roadbooks.
- Their Countryman Untamed had all-wheel drive, lifted suspension, specially developed all-terrain tyres and 19-inch wheels.
Mini has finished third in the X-Cross class on its first Rebelle Rally entry, with driver Felicia Killman and navigator Erika Ferrer earning a podium using paper navigation instead of GPS.
The pair competed in a Countryman Untamed across Nevada, California and Utah, covering more than 2400km in eight days. Ferrer works in BMW Group Corporate Communications in Mexico; for this event, her job was to navigate Killman through the off-road course.
Paper maps through the desert
The all-women event scores crews on checkpoints rather than outright speed. Maps, a compass and roadbooks are the permitted navigation tools, with GPS prohibited. Finding the route is part of the competitive task, alongside driving through the terrain.
That terrain ranged from desert trails to rocky climbs, with sand and river crossings also on the course. The conditions changed with the weather: temperatures approached 38°C and wind gusts reached about 80km/h, blowing sand across the route and reducing visibility. Crews also encountered storms.
The US-specification Countryman Untamed carried Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, a suspension lift and specially developed all-terrain tyres. Those tyres were fitted to exclusive 19-inch wheels.
Two awards alongside the podium
Killman and Ferrer also received the X-Cross Rookies of the Year award, adding a debut-specific honour to their class result.
Their other award came from the people sharing the event with them. The Challenge Accepted award, presented by Stryten Energy, was decided by votes from fellow competitors and event staff. It recognised the pair’s positive attitude through the competition and the inspiration they gave others.
