- INFINITI QX80 makes bold debut in international women's navigational off-road competition
- Also new to the event and driving for INFINITI, the Wander Women (Team 142), Nicole Wakelin (driver) of New Hampshire and Alice Chase (navigator) of Texas will pilot the powerful QX80 on the 2000+ kilometer challenge
- 10-day competition will take place from October 8 – 17, 2020 and will be followed on INFINITI social channels
Yokohama, Japan – The luxurious INFINITI QX80 has graced auto show stages and red-carpet events, but this October it will show off the substance underneath all that style entering the storied 10-day all female navigational off-road competition, the 2020 Rebelle Rally.
Like INFINITI, the team captaining the QX80 is accomplished in the automotive world but new to the competition- Wander Women (Team 142) is comprised of Nicole Wakelin (driver) of New Hampshire and Alice Chase (navigator) of Texas. Both women are professional automotive journalists, who possess decades of driving experience on and off-road and have covered the Rebelle as journalists.
"At INFINITI, we believe that luxury should be lived in and there are few who will test that theory more than our team in the Rebelle Rally this year. 10 days navigating the desert in a QX80 will certainly showcase that our flagship SUV has as much grit as it has grace," said Phil York, INFINITI general manager global marketing.
Rebelle Rally 2020, in its fifth year, will take place October 8-17 through the California and Nevada desert. The rally spans over 2,000 kilometers and participants will navigate using maps, a compass and a route book to find hidden checkpoints with time checks. No GPS or outside help is permitted. This year, 40 pairs of women will drive production vehicles in 4x4 and Crossover classes. Supporters will be able to follow Wander Women's journey on INFINITI's Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels and www.rebellerally.com.
"We are excited to welcome INFINITI in this year's Rebelle Rally. As the ultimate proving ground for vehicles, we look forward to seeing the QX80 showcase its abilities through the course's wide variety of terrain," said Emily Miller, founder, Rebelle Rally. "The entry is a testament to our motto, 'the vehicle in your driveway is more capable than you realize.'"
INFINITI's participation in the 2020 Rebelle Rally in California marks its first involvement in the rigorous off-road challenge and falls under the banner of "QXploration" - where INFINITI encourages owners of the QX line-up to use the luxurious vehicle on their driveway for urban escapes and adventures. The activation follows previous expeditions in breathtaking but unforgiving terrains of the Gobi Desert and Jordan. The QX80 is sold globally, and is a favorite in regions like North America, the Middle East and Russia, where available, the All-Mode® 4WD and advanced Hydraulic Body Motion Control system make light work of conditions such as sand and snow.
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About Rebelle Rally
The Rebelle Rally, entering its fifth year, is the first women's off-road navigational rally raid in the United States. The event has a unique challenge and scoring system where precise navigation, not speed, is the ultimate goal. Participants trade in cell phones and GPS for old-school navigation in a competition for the elements of time, distance, headings, and hidden checkpoints. Armed with just maps, compasses, and roadbooks, 40 teams of two will be pushed to their limits as they make their way across 2,000+ kilometers of Nevada and California's iconic terrain. Starting October 8 in Lake Tahoe and finishing October 17 along the famed Glamis Dunes, the competition is the longest competitive off-road rally in the nation. For more information including live show and tracking, visit www.rebellerally.com
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan with operations around the world including regional offices based in the Americas, China and INFINITI International Markets based in Dubai. The INFINITI brand of premium automobiles are assembled in manufacturing facilities in Japan, North America and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.
More information about INFINITI and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.INFINITI.com. You can also follow INFINITI on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
Contacts - INFINITI Communications
Wendy Orthman
General manager, Global Communications
wendy.orthman@infiniti.com
Stephen Coughlan
Senior manager, Product, Global Communications
Stephen.coughlan@infiniti.com
Michelle Hogan
Manager, Global Communications
Michelle.hogan@infiniti.com
Kirsten Tiegen
Media Director, Rebelle Rally
Paris, France
media@rebellerally.com
