MINI finished third in the X-Cross class at the 2026 Rebelle Rally, its first entry in the all-women’s off-road navigation event in the United States. Driver Felicia Killman and navigator Erika Ferrer also took the class Rookies of the Year title and the “Challenge Accepted” Award. Their car was the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition, which was revealed only days before the start.
A podium at the first attempt
MINI has come away from its first Rebelle Rally with a third-place finish in the X-Cross class and two more team awards. The crew was driver Felicia Killman, who is described as a MINI enthusiast, and navigator Erika Ferrer, who works in the BMW Group’s Corporate Communications team in Mexico. They competed in the MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.
The rally finished in Glamis, California. According to the manufacturer, it is one of the longest off-road navigation rallies of its kind in the United States, and only women can enter.
Navigation, not outright speed
The Rebelle Rally is not scored like a conventional speed rally. Teams collect points by finding checkpoints, so accurate navigation, strategy and teamwork count for more than pace. GPS is banned. Crews plot their routes with maps, a compass and a roadbook.
The event runs over eight days and covers more than 1,500 miles (about 2,400 km) across Nevada, California and Utah. The route includes desert trails, rocky climbs, sand washes and river crossings.
The weather made the 2026 edition especially hard, according to MINI. Temperatures came close to 100°F (about 38°C), and crews also faced strong storms, rain, steep climbs and sand dunes. In the final stages, wind gusts of up to 50 mph (about 80 km/h) blew sand across the course. This caused whiteout conditions and cut visibility sharply.
Three honours for the MINI crew
The team won three awards:
- Third place, X-Cross class: a podium on MINI’s first appearance at the event.
- Rookies of the Year, X-Cross class: an award for the best debut campaign.
- “Challenge Accepted” Award, presented by Stryten Energy: a team award voted for by other competitors and event staff. It goes to crews who take on challenges with an outstanding attitude and inspire others.
The last award matters because it comes from the crew’s rivals and the organisers, not from the results table.
The Countryman Untamed Edition’s first competition
MINI revealed the Countryman Untamed Edition just days before the rally began, so the event was the car’s first competition. The edition gives the Countryman a more rugged look and better ability on rough ground.
The company lists the following equipment for US-market cars:
- MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive
- a raised suspension
- specially developed all-terrain tyres
- exclusive 19-inch Untamed Edition wheels
The release gives no figures for power, ride height or price.
What it means
For MINI, the result is a way to show that the Countryman Untamed Edition is meant for more than city driving. Brands often use the Rebelle Rally to show what their vehicles can do off-road. A podium finish and a peer-voted award in the car’s first event give MINI real results to back up the edition’s adventure image, rather than relying on styling alone.
Facts: MINI Countryman Untamed Edition (US specification)
- Drivetrain: MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive
- Chassis: raised suspension
- Tyres: specially developed all-terrain tyres
- Wheels: exclusive 19-inch Untamed Edition wheels
- Rally result: third in the X-Cross class at the 2026 Rebelle Rally
The equipment listed above applies to US-market cars of the Countryman Untamed Edition.
Source: www.press.bmwgroup.com