The Rebelle Rally has never been about simply driving from point A to point B. Since its inception in 2016, the all-women's off-road navigation competition has challenged competitors to rely solely on maps, compass headings, terrain interpretation, and strategy while crossing some of the most rugged landscapes in the American West.
For 2026, Ford Racing is making some of the biggest lineup changes in its Rebelle Rally program to date, bringing together veteran champions, professional racers, and proven navigators in what may be its strongest collection of teams yet.
The 2026 Rebelle Rally takes place October 7-17, 2026, beginning with technical inspection in Las Vegas, before competitors spend eight days navigating through the deserts of Nevada and California to the finish line, which has yet to be announced.
This year, Ford Racing will field four entries split between the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor platforms.
Team 175: Kristen Matlock and Melissa Clark
Perhaps the biggest story coming into the 2026 Rebelle Rally for Ford Racing is the formation of Team 175.
Driving the Bronco Raptor will be professional off-road racer Kristen Matlock, while 10-year Rebelle veteran Melissa Clark moves into the navigator seat.
Matlock is one of the most accomplished racers in desert motorsports. Known throughout off-road racing as the "Iron Woman," she has earned multiple SCORE International championships and made history as the first woman to solo the Baja 1000 in a four-wheel vehicle. Based in Alpine, California, Matlock has built a reputation for speed, consistency, and toughness in some of the world's most demanding races.
While 2026 marks only Matlock's second Rebelle Rally appearance, she joins a navigator with a decade of Rebelle experience.
Clark is one of only a handful of competitors to have participated in every Rebelle Rally since the event's founding in 2016. In ten years of competition, she has earned five podium finishes, including multiple victories and runner-up finishes. Although many fans associate Clark with the driver's seat, approximately half of her Rebelle Rally career has been spent navigating, where her passion for maps, compass work, route strategy, and precision navigation first developed.
The pairing combines one of the most accomplished navigators in Rebelle history with one of the most successful active racers in off-road motorsports, creating a team that becomes a podium contender.
Team 122: Tobi Hlavnicka and Cara Carlson
Joining the Ford Racing family for 2026 is Team 122, featuring Tobi Hlavnicka and Cara Carlson in a Bronco Raptor.
The addition of Hlavnicka and Carlson expands Ford's depth across both Bronco and Ranger platforms while bringing additional experience and talent into the program.
As a new addition to the Ford Racing roster, Team 122 will be closely watched throughout the event as they look to establish themselves among the rally's top competitors.
Team 188: Laura Wanlass and Teralin Petereit
Ford Racing also welcomes one of the most successful competitors in Rebelle Rally history.
Team 188 will compete in a Ranger Raptor with Laura Wanlass and Teralin Petereit sharing driving and navigation responsibilities throughout the event.
Petereit is widely considered the winningest woman in Rebelle Rally history and has become synonymous with success in the competition. Her move to Ford Racing represents one of the most significant driver changes in recent years, as she transitions away from the Stellantis family for the first time.
Wanlass brings substantial experience and consistency to the team, creating a pairing that many competitors will view as an immediate threat to the overall leaderboard.
The combination of Petereit's championship pedigree and Wanlass's proven performance gives Ford another serious podium contender.
Team 131: Karisa Haydon and Trista Smith
Returning in a Ranger Raptor, Team 131 features Driver Karisa Haydon and Navigator Trista Smith.
Both competitors have continued to build experience and momentum within the Rebelle Rally community and will once again represent Ford Racing in one of the most competitive vehicle classes in the event. The team finished with a silver in last year’s event.
The Ranger Raptor platform has proven itself to be exceptionally capable in the rally environment, balancing durability, comfort, and off-road performance over the long days of navigation competition.
Why These Changes Matter
The Rebelle Rally is unlike traditional off-road racing. There are no speed sections. There are no GPS navigation systems. There are no pre-run routes. Success comes from precision navigation, teamwork, strategy, consistency, and the ability to make good decisions under pressure.
By adding Matlock and Team Raptor Rex to the lineup while maintaining experienced competitors throughout the program, Ford Racing has significantly strengthened its chances across the board. The move also demonstrates Ford's commitment to pairing proven navigation expertise with elite-level driving talent.
The Bronco and Ranger Advantage
Ford will once again showcase both the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor during the event. The Bronco Raptor's high-speed desert capability, suspension travel, and stability continue to make it one of the most capable production SUVs in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Ranger Raptor's balanced dimensions, impressive off-road technology, and durability have helped establish it as a strong performer in recent Rebelle campaigns. More importantly, both vehicles continue to demonstrate that production-based vehicles can excel in one of the most demanding navigation competitions in the world.
Looking Ahead to October
With four teams, two vehicle platforms, a professional desert racing star joining the program, and one of the most accomplished navigators in Rebelle history returning to the right seat, Ford Racing enters the 2026 Rebelle Rally with tremendous momentum.
The addition of new talent alone would have made headlines but combined with a stable of Raptors, Ford Racing appears poised for one of its strongest Rebelle Rally campaigns yet.
When the event begins in Las Vegas this October, Ford Racing won't just be bringing capable vehicles to the desert, it will be bringing one of the deepest and most experienced lineups in the history of its Rebelle Rally program. The Rebelle Rally takes place from October 7-17th, you can learn more about the event at rebellerally.com.
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