The Infiniti QX80 is really just a fancy-pants Nissan Patrol and this one’s been lifted to take on the Rebelle Rally in the US.
The Rebelle Rally is a women-only rally raid event and it’s running right now. You can follow it via these Blue Words.
The Infiniti QX80 you’re looking at here was built for Nicole Wakelin and Alexis Chase – Team Wander Women. It’s been fitted with a three-inch suspension lift and rides on Off-Road Monster 18-inch wheels wrapped in Nitto Terra Grappler G2 295/70R18 A/T tires, has a rally computer, a PowerTank air-up tank and digital air-down kit. It’s got a full recovery kit on board as well as two Maxtrax recovery boards, fire extinguisher, safety items, and two full-size spares stowed in the boot space which boast a full cage made by CALMINI.
“I’m excited to be driving a luxury SUV in such a challenging, adventurous and pioneering event. The QX80 has real capability, but it’s not the kind of vehicle most people take off-road. Sure, everyone knows you can tackle that rutted dirt road up to the family cabin or driving across the grass and dirt to park at a local fair, but taking it out into the desert? Into sand dunes? That’s different, and that makes this exciting,” Nicole Wakelin said.
“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 of the Rebelle Rally. “The entry is a testament to our motto, ‘the vehicle in your driveway is more capable than you realize.'”
The Rebelle Rally has been running for five years now and 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 goal.
Armed only with maps, compasses and roadbooks the 40 teams of two drive across 2000-plus kilometres of Nevada and Californian desert. No-one’s allowed a smartphone or GPS. This is old-school.
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