Competing in the Rebelle Rally is not an easy feat. From planning for months to making quick decisions on the trail, it requires preparation, perseverance and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.
In the interview below, Keri Porter shares what it takes to prepare for the rally and the skills she relied on the most.
SBN: What does participating in the Rebelle Rally mean to you?
Keri Porter: Participating in the Rebelle Rally is an honor. As an event planner myself, I understand the time and effort it takes to put together an event of that magnitude. It's humbling to watch it unfold.
From a competitor standpoint, it's a time where so many amazing women from all walks of life come together with a common goal in mind. We all have our own stories of how we got to be there, and no two teams will have the same rally story. But each day we come together to have a meal, share our accomplishments or defeats from the day and encourage one another to get up the next morning and do it all over again.
There's also something magical about disconnecting from the everyday responsibilities that pull us in different directions and hyper fixating on one objective. There is satisfaction in working to improve those skills daily with your teammate - to be able to share the highs and lows of each decision made together.
SBN: What type of preparation is needed for this competition?
KP: There could be a great deal more said about preparing for the rally, but to sum it up: Fundraising (privateer teams) to cover expenses, navigational and drivers training, physical training, vehicle prep, understanding the vehicle and how it operates, learning its possible weak points and how to mitigate those failures if they occur, successfully packing the required items and gear so it travels well and it's easily accessible when needed.
SBN: What was the most challenging part of the race (rally) for you?
KP: While participating is not easy by any means, the most challenging part of competing was the fundraising and preparation leading up to the rally. There is so much work that goes into preparing for a successful rally. I am so appreciative of our sponsors and local community for rallying behind our team. We wouldn't have been able to participate otherwise.
SBN: What was the most rewarding experience?
KP: I've participated in the Rebelle Rally three times previously as a navigator, and returning as a team driver has been a goal of mine since I first participated in 2018. I was excited to finally return as a team driver. Preparing for the rally takes a great deal of work, determination and sacrifice. Working together all year with my partner, Heather Lindvall, and seeing our goal come to fruition was the most rewarding experience.
SBN: What three skills did you use the most?
KP: While there are so many skills required to successfully and safely make it to the finish line of the rally, I would say that communication, time management and being adaptive are the most imperative. I often compare the Rebelle Rally to an eight-day game of offroad chess. Each day starts with a game plan and as the day unfolds, so does your game plan. A team has to be able to work together to adjust on the fly and to not get overwhelmed when things don't go the way they anticipated.
SBN: Was there a point that you wanted to give up? If so, why didn’t you?
KP: I'm stubborn and quitting never crossed my mind. Were there hard or discouraging times? Absolutely. But each checkpoint was a new opportunity to learn. As a team, we agreed to let our disappointments go at the end of each day and start new the next. That's the cool thing about the Rebelle Rally. We get eight or nine days to try to get it right. Participants get the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and to utilize that lesson the next day to do better.