Historic Rebelle Rally Competitors Team Up for Public Lands Advocacy

Blazing Trails for Public Lands: A Milestone in Motorsports

This year marks a significant milestone for the Rebelle Rally, celebrating its 10-year anniversary with an inspiring mission. Competing together for the first time are teammates Kristian Rene and Kathryn Goacher, who aim not only to win but to advocate for the protection of public lands through their remarkable partnership with the Zion National Park Forever Project. This unique collaboration makes them the first competitors in the rally to carry a national park's mission into the challenging terrain of the desert.

The Rebelle Rally, which takes place from October 8 to 18, spans 1,600 miles through stunning deserts and mountains, crossing 200 hidden checkpoints. Drivers rely solely on maps and compasses to navigate, making it not only a test of speed but also of endurance and skill. More than just a racing event, the rally emphasizes its commitment to preservation, ensuring that it adds value to the land it traverses, rather than just being another organized competition.

From its inception, the Rebelle Rally has engaged with land managers across the Western United States. Gaining permits to cross iconic areas such as Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley is no small feat; the event must demonstrate that it contributes more than just a recreational gathering. In line with this ethos, competitors are encouraged to embrace stewardship, illustrating their accountability to the land.

Kristian Rene embodies this commitment, stepping up as an official ambassador for the Zion National Park Forever Project, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks, Pipe Spring, and Dixie National Forest. "Driving across this land isn't just about checkpoints. It's about carrying a covenant forward," Rene emphasizes. He believes that public lands reflect the fabric of the American identity, and that the Rebelle Rally's contests push limits while fostering responsibility towards the environment.

The rally vehicle, the INEOS Grenadier, symbolizes the deep connection between motorsports and environmental accountability. Designed as a modern successor to classic 4x4s, the Grenadier is a rugged tool built for exploration, paralleling Zion Forever's mission to protect these landscapes for generations. "Every mile we drive reminds us that these landscapes aren't guaranteed for the next generation," Goacher adds, highlighting the urgency of preserving public lands while participating in the rally. This partnership transforms the Rebelle Rally into a platform for more than just competition — it's a quest to safeguard the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the American West.

As public lands face ecological pressures and funding challenges, the work of organizations like Zion Forever is more crucial than ever. They actively fund initiatives aimed at restoring landscapes, protecting wildlife, and educating the next generation. Moreover, the Rebelle Rally supports these values through its Rebelle Impact program, which promotes sustainability, champions environmental ethics, and forms partnerships with organizations like Tread Lightly!

This groundbreaking collaboration showcases how motorsports can evolve beyond mere competition. It reveals the potential of rallies to be catalysts for conservation, leadership, and national stewardship — principles that echo the enduring spirit of the landscapes they traverse. By following the journeys of Kristian Rene and Kathryn Goacher in the Rebelle Rally, supporters can become involved in advocating for the mission of Zion Forever at zionpark.org.

As the competitors gear up for this historic event, they embody the belief that exploration and preservation are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they are intertwined in a dance that keeps the spirit of the wild alive, illuminating the important role of responsible adventurers in safeguarding the legacy of America's public lands.