Road to Morocco: Mercedes-Benz USA Sponsors Two American Teams with Sprinter Van 4×4 [2015 Gazelle Rally]

Gazelle Rally

The 25th all female Rallye Aicha des Gazelles will take place March 20-April 4 and America will be sending 10 teams. European competitors will start with technical verifications March 20 in Paris, with American teams joining them in Rabat, Morocco on March 24. From there teams will travel over the Atlas Mountains to Erfoud to start the 9-day competition.

Participants in the Gazelle Rally are not allowed chase crews, cell phones, or GPS. Points are awarded for shortest distance between checkpoints, not fastest time. Teams can choose their route with the help of an old map, a plotter, and a compass. There is no roadbook. Teams are given map coordinates and must plot them on their maps, find their heading, then drive in as straight a line as possible. If a team comes upon an obstacle, be it a wash or a mountain, they must navigate around it and then return to their original heading.

Gazelle Rally

With the exception of the marathon legs, teams return each night to a mobile bivouac, where they eat, sleep, gas up, and receive mechanical assistance.

2015 marks the first year of manufacturer participation for the USA Gazelles. Mercedes-Benz USA is sending two teams to compete in their new Sprinter 4×4 vans.

Gazelle Rally Sprinter Van

Both teams will be in the 3.0L V6 turbo diesel with the 5-speed automatic transmission. The BlueTEC diesel is a super-clean engine, on a par with a modern gasoline engine. This goes hand in hand with the Gazelle Rally’s mandate of environmental sustainability and it’s ISO 14001:2004 certification. This certification is based on the identification of environmental impacts and possible solutions for improvement, and the introduction of suitable processes.

The Gazelle Rally Sprinter vans knock out 188 horsepower and 325 lb/ft of torque. While certainly not a vehicle you want take rock crawling, the Sprinter will be a strong contender in the crossover class at the Gazelle Rally. The all-wheel drive system is push button activated, which distributes the torque 35:65 between the front and rear axle. The Sprinter is also equipped with an Electronic Traction System, which will  help the Sprinter get through the notorious Moroccan desert.

Gazelle Rally Moroccan Desert

The Sprinter Van won the crossover class in 2014, driven by a German team. This year Mercedez-Benz USA has two formidable American teams: Sue Mead/Shennen Marschner and Chrissie Beavis/Alyssa Roenigk.

After 25 years traveling the globe testing cars and trucks, automotive journalist Sue Mead is ready to take on the 2015 Gazelle Rally in a Mercedes-Benz 4×4 Sprinter. Mead, an Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee, has competed in the world’s longest and most rigorous off-road races as well as a number of expeditions, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to see the beauty of the Moroccan desert, to meet the people who inhabit this land of rich diversity, and to experience the comradery of the women who challenge themselves in this great Rally. Friend Emily Miller has been her inspiration to become a Gazelle. Sue makes her home in Williamstown, Massachusetts, near her daughter Brooke, son-in-law Duffy Judge, and grandchildren Alex and Eve. Being with them is her greatest joy, when she is not on an airplane or motoring a vehicle.

Sue Mead

Teammate Shennen Marschner is originally from central New York, but is now settled in Los Angeles. She works for Mercedes-Benz USA on the Commercial Van Team in the West. She is very excited to show the world what the Sprinter Vans can do in tough terrain and difficult conditions. She is an avid photographer who backpacks and travels as much as she can.

From racing cars, to welding, to rocking out at festivals, Chrissie Beavis loves to live loud. She is best known as one of the top rally co-drivers in the U.S., having guided drivers including Tanner Foust, Rhys Millen, Brian Deegan, and Travis Pastrana to numerous wins. Her motorsport career is highlighted by X Games gold and silver medals, a win at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and a United States Rally Championship. When she isn’t racing, the California born Beavis works as an architectural designer and fabricator.

Chrissy Beavis

Alyssa Roenigk is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com and a broadcast reporter and host for ESPN action sports broadcasts. In her years covering sports, Alyssa has reported from four Super Bowls, five Olympics, more than 20 X Games and committed countless acts of recklessness in pursuit of a story. A graduate of the University of Florida, Roenigk lives in Venice, Calif., but spends little time at home.

Beavis navigated her way to an 8th place finish in 2013 with pro-surfer Bethany Hamilton behind the wheel. Mead has Dakar Rally experience as both a navigator and a driver. She was Darren Skillton’s co-driver in 2000 and won her class in 2011 as a driver, with Skillton as navigator.

Chrissie Beavis Bethany Hamilton

With the history of these two extraordinary women, look for America to lead the crossover class, but it’s a toss up as to which US team will prevail. They will have to drive smart and make all of their checkpoints, all while using their time wisely and staying alert. Communication will be key. The women have all trained together, but this is their first competition as teams.

Check out the Sprinter in the 2014 Gazelle Rally!

And see what happened when we got our hands on one!

emme hall tflcar

 

Emme is a driver, reviewer, rabble rouser, and Gazelle who can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and either one of her blogs.