SAN DIEGO – This may be Nissan Armada Mountain Patrol's crown jewel. Armada Mountain Patrol1 powered Team Wild Grace to a sixth place finish (out of 38 total competitors) at the 2019 Rebelle Rally – marking Team Wild Grace's highest finish in its four-year history at the rally.
It's the latest in a series of adventures for Armada Mountain Patrol, which previously had mastered the dunes of The Sahara Desert in Morocco, scaled the rocks of Moab, Utah, and encountered a myriad of terrain in between.
Team Wild Grace, comprised of veteran off-roaders Sedona Blinson and Lyn Woodward, piloted the Armada Mountain Patrol across more than 1,500 miles of stunning off-road terrain in California and Nevada over eight days before crossing the finish line of the longest competitive off-road rally in the United States on Oct. 19.
"It's been a thrill to watch Armada Mountain Patrol thrive at one of the most grueling rallies in the world," said Tiago Castro, director of trucks and SUVs, Nissan North America. "A huge congratulations and thank you goes to Sedona and Lyn, who handled this beast of a vehicle as well as anyone we've seen and made us all proud on one of the biggest stages in the off-roading world."
Team Wild Grace, which finished 11th last year behind the wheel of a stock Nissan Armada, competed in the 4x4 class, where all vehicles must be street legal, plated, and able to travel on interstates at the posted speed limits. Among its modifications, Armada Mountain Patrol features a long list of custom vehicle protection, lighting, comfort, storage, and auxiliary recovery systems.
To help reduce weight and increase agility over sand dunes and challenging terrain, Armada Mountain Patrol's tent and awning were removed, tire size was reduced slightly, and the suspension lift was lowered to from 6-inches to three.
"The Mountain Patrol had heads turning," said Blinson, who competed in her fourth Rebelle Rally. "The extra clearance and custom suspension were a huge bonus. The vehicle did everything we asked of it, and with ease – it really gave Lyn and I the ability to push our skills in the best ways."
Added Woodward, an automotive journalist at Kelley Blue Book competing in her second Rebelle Rally: "The Rebelle is a great proving ground for any vehicle. Armada Mountain Patrol was sturdy and steadfast, and the power of the V8 was substantial – I always knew I had the power when I needed it."
Competition days were long and challenging, beginning at sunrise and often lasting well past sunset with few breaks in between. Per the rally's rules, no electronic devices were permitted except for rudimentary digital cameras – meaning teams had to use maps and a compass as they weaved their way through some of the most scenic and challenging terrains America has to offer.
Given these and a long list of other intricate rules, teamwork, communication and organization became even more crucial elements to success as the days wore on.
"Having the spacious, cushy interior helped us stay organized and together even after the exhausting 11-to-12 hour days," said Blinson. "You can have the very best driver, very best navigator, but if they can't work together it will fall apart. Lyn and I worked hard to stay focused on our rally, understand the importance of our respective jobs, and be forgiving of any mistakes made."
By the end of the marathon, Blinson and Woodward departed San Diego understandably exhausted – and still trying to wrap their heads around their enormous accomplishment, having competed against some of the top off-roader drivers and off-road vehicles in the country.
"We were elated to finally finish, but it was bittersweet," said Woodward. "It's such a grind, and it wears you down – but we were happy. There's that moment when you really feel that strong satisfaction. We came out and give it our all, and we couldn't have been more proud of our finish."
For more information on the 2020 Nissan Armada and Nissan's complete vehicle lineup, please visit NissanNews.com.
About The Rebelle Rally
The Rebelle Rally is the first women's off-road navigation rally raid of its type in the United States. It is the ultimate road trip for the adventurous and competitive woman. The name of the game is pace and precision. You do not need to be a professional driver or have a race vehicle. The Rebelle is designed for 4×4 and Crossover vehicles and takes place on the stunning dirt roads, double tracks, trails, and sand dunes of the vast American West. Whether you are new to off-road, or a seasoned pro, our goal is to challenge you to embrace and enhance your driving and navigation skills for your future journeys – wherever they may lead you. Learn more at rebellerally.com.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and INFINITI vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites nissannews.com and infinitinews.com.
For more information about our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
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- Vehicle provided by Nissan. Armada Mountain Patrol is a project vehicle not available for purchase. Includes non-Nissan accessories that are not warranted by Nissan. Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution. Always secure cargo. Heavy loading of the vehicle with cargo, especially on the roof, will affect the handling and stability of the vehicle.
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