Bestop, a supplier of factory soft tops on Jeep Wranglers, is sponsoring Team HD members Shelby Hall and Amy Lerner as well as Team Wild and Free members Holly Freeman and Coralee Lack in the inaugural Rebelle Rally, a seven-day off-road navigation and driving competition across the American Southwest. Taking place Oct. 15-21, the rally covers 1,200 miles of rugged terrain from Lake Tahoe to San Diego, California and requires competitors to find their way to 8-10 checkpoints each day using only a road book, map and compass.
Hall and Lerner will be competing in the first women’s off-road navigation rally race in the U.S. in a 2015 Jeep Wrangler equipped with a Bestop Sunrider soft top that works with the Jeep’s factory hardtop to provide instant access to the open air. The flexible yet durable fabric top is made of black sailcloth that can quickly be thrown open to allow the duo to stand on the front seats to navigate instead of completely exiting the vehicle for the 30-plus times they expect to have to stop to check the course during the event. Lerner says the Sunrider eliminates the hassle of bulky factory sunroof panels and gives the team the competitive advantages of saving time and effort. It also provides light protection from the elements when they need it.
The team’s competition Jeep Wrangler also is equipped with Bestop’s RoughRider saddle bags, seat covers and seat back organizers to help keep essential gear securely in place and within quick reach.
“There’s no substitute for experience, but having the right equipment and accessories to assist us during this competitive off-road event will help us have a successful race,” said Lerner. “We are thankful for the support of Bestop and the proven products they have supplied for this event.”
New to competitive off-road rallying, Freeman and Lack say they were so enthused about news of the all-female race that they had to sign up to compete. Freeman’s 2001 Jeep Wrangler TJ is being outfitted with Bestop’s Trektop NX soft top, two TrailMax II Sport front seats, a RoughRider spare tire organizer and Bestop lock-in-place floor mats. Bestop also is supplying an Instatrunk for storage and sport bar covers to fit the factory roll cage.
“Bestop is our biggest sponsor and they have been awesome in getting us equipped for the rally,” said Freeman. “The new top is going to be incredible because it fits tightly and perfectly under the roof rack. If I want to take out the windows, it’ll be super easy to do. I’m in love with the sleek look of the soft top and the way it gives my TJ a fresh look.”
