MINI kicks off first-ever Rebelle Rally with new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition
MINI officially kicks off its first-ever participation in the Rebelle Rally, with the green flag dropping today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway October 8 at 7am PT, opening a new chapter in MINI’s legendary motorsport history.
The 2026 Rebelle Rally marks the competitive debut of the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition, an adventure-focused variant created to bring greater capability, versatility, and freedom to explore beyond the pavement. The rally will serve as a demanding real-world proving ground for the new model as it takes on approximately 1,500 miles of rugged terrain across Nevada, California, and Utah.
MINI’s entry comes as part of the global introduction of the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition, connecting the brand’s newest expression of adventure with a motorsport heritage built on challenging convention and succeeding where others might not expect it.
MINI’s First Rebelle Rally Team
Behind the wheel of MINI’s inaugural Rebelle Rally entry is Felicia Killman. An accomplished rally competitor and longtime MINI enthusiast. Killman competes in the American Rally Association and has experience both driving and navigating rally cars, including campaigning a specially prepared MINI in stage rally competition.
Joining Killman in the navigator’s seat is Erika Ferrer, a member of the BMW Group Corporate Communications team in Mexico. Ferrer began her motorsport career managing championship rally teams before moving into competition as a co-driver, earning three consecutive regional rally co-driver championships in Mexico. She has also co-driven renowned rally champion Benito Guerra during La Carrera Panamericana.
Together, Killman and Ferrer bring complementary experience in driving, navigation, motorsports and the MINI community to one of the world’s premier off-road competitions for women.
1,500 Miles. No GPS. One MINI.
The Rebelle Rally challenges teams to navigate more than 1,500 miles of demanding western U.S. terrain using traditional navigation skills. Competitors rely on maps, compass, road book, and teamwork, with GPS navigation prohibited.
For Killman and Ferrer, preparation has included intensive field training across dunes, rocky terrain, and loose surfaces, along with extensive practice in map-and-compass navigation and decision-making under pressure.
“Being part of MINI’s first Rebelle Rally is an incredible opportunity, and now that we’re at the starting line, the excitement is real,” said Felicia Killman, MINI team driver. “We’ve put in the work to prepare for the terrain, the navigation and everything the rally can throw at us. Erika and I know there will be challenges along the way, but that’s exactly what makes this experience so exciting. We’re ready to put the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition to the test and see where the adventure takes us.”
“The Rebelle Rally is as much a test of judgment and teamwork as it is of the vehicle,” said Erika Ferrer, MINI team navigator. “Out here, every decision matters, from choosing the right line to staying on course when the terrain doesn’t look anything like the map. Felicia and I have spent a lot of time building that rhythm together, and I’m excited to put our preparation to the test when the rally begins.”
A dedicated BMW Group engineering team has prepared the MINI Countryman Untamed Edition for the demands of the competition, balancing their regular engineering responsibilities with the unique requirements of a vehicle that must operate far from paved roads and conventional support.
The vehicle preparation has also been supported by a group of technical and outfitting partners, including e.g. Thule, DealerTire, Pelican Cases, Morimoto Lighting, Heinlein Racing Development, Peak Design, and GoPro.
A New Chapter in MINI’s Rally Heritage
MINI’s Rebelle Rally debut adds a new chapter to one of motorsport’s most celebrated rally legacies.
The original Mini Cooper S earned its place in rally history with overall victories at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967, using its compact dimensions, agile handling, and innovative engineering to challenge significantly more powerful competitors. More recently, MINI has achieved international success in the Dakar Rally, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for tackling some of the world’s toughest off-road competitions.
With the green flag falling at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the MINI Countryman Untamed Edition moves from global reveal to real-world competition, putting its adventure-focused character to the test across 1,500 miles of demanding terrain.
*Information provided by the publicist.
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