The Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t just the newest pickup truck to show at your local Hyundai dealership; it’s also the latest entry into the annual Rebelle Rally happening on October 6th, 2022. This is Hyundai’s first-time supporting the large off-road race, and everyone is excited to see what the Santa Cruz can do.
An All-Women Off-Road Challenge
The Rebelle Rally is a women-only off-road navigational competition that takes riders over eight days and 1,400 miles through the deserts of the western United States. The event starts in an undisclosed location in Nevada and ends near the Imperial Sand Dunes of Southern California.
The Rebelle Rally first took place in 2015 when Emily Miller, a winning off-road driver, wanted to give women a chance to take stock vehicles across remote and amazing terrains. That’s right, vehicles that enter this competition are not specifically modified to handle off-road conditions.
This year, there will be fifty teams that bring their SUVs, crossovers, and pickups to the desert to see what they can do. Jill Ciminillo and Kristen Shaw, automotive writers, will pilot the Santa Cruz in its first-ever jump into the Rally.
A Different Kind of Race
The Rebelle Rally isn’t a race based on speed. It’s more of a navigational event that requires participants to find hidden checkpoints. No one is allowed to use a cell phone, GPS, or other electronics, not that they would work that deep in the desert. That means drivers have to work with maps, a compass, and instinct.
To prepare for the race, Ciminillo and Shaw had to first visit a Hyundai dealership to learn about the new Santa Cruz. They are also attending a two-day navigation school and a two-day off-road driving school. They’ll learn about troubleshooting problems with the truck, how to read maps, route planning, and more. Since this is the first time either of them will compete in this kind of event, they’re looking forward to the preparation.
The New Santa Cruz
Ciminillo and Shaw will be bringing a brand new Hyundai Santa Cruz into the competition. This beast comes from the Hyundai dealership with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It comes with an all-wheel-drive and 8.6-inches of ground clearance, along with a skid plate and off-road tires.
This is an exciting time for Hyundai to show off its new pickup truck. While the Santa Cruz isn’t as big or meaty as full-size vehicles in the race, it should hold its own. Hyundai Motor North America is proud and eager to sponsor the automotive writer team. This event should give these writers a story to tell. If it works out like Hyundai plans, there will be nothing but great news after they tackle this huge challenge.
Learn more about the Santa Cruz at your local Hyundai dealership. Track the event and learn how to show your support at www.rebellerally.com.
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