2014 Tacoma double cab - Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles

Keep up the good work, looks great

 

Here is the recap after yesterdays leg 4.

March 28th, 2016 (CORONA, CA) – In the history of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, no American team has ever won the coveted 4×4 class. Although three U.S. teams including Team #180 American Chaos were in the top 5 of the class going into today’s Leg 4, a major shake-up is still possible as gaps begin to close between teams.


The CRC/TOTAL CHAOS Toyota Tacoma canvassing the terrain

After an exhausting Marathon Leg over the weekend, today’s Leg 4 wasn’t the most difficult of days with the biggest challenge being fatigue, heat, and total distance covered – a looped leg of 160 km estimated at 9 hours with 7 checkpoints. If teams wanted a chance of being dead-on, they needed to plot well and drive smart. Team American Chaos did just that.


Beavis plots her checkpoints

A Key Player – Strategy

With the Leg taking teams up over a very large muddy hill before they even hit CP1, some teams decided to go around the obstacle rather than take the risk head-on. The “safe” option; however, led them straight into mud. Team American Chaos made the decision to go over the hill and it paid off. Beavis noted that with only 1.91 kilometers separating their team from the leaders, she and Pitell-Vaughan were really strategic during Leg 4.

“Our strategy today was definitely to take some chances to see if we could take back the lead, and we got lucky right away,” said Beavis. “We took a risky bet at CP 1 and it paid off big time. We went over a hill where we watched a lot of other competitors have to turn around. I put some MAXTRAX down, and we got up and over. Everyone else who had to go around then got stuck in the mud. We probably shaved about three kilometers.”


Team #180, the “Morocco Taco,” and recovery devices MAXTRAX

Another influential area of the course was between CP 6 and 7. Team American Chaos decided to take an easier line here to conserve energy, whereas current leaders Team #179 Régine Zbinden and ElaSteiner took the opposite. They drove an exceptionally straight line in their Jeep Wrangler through the difficult dry riverbeds in an attempt to hold onto first place. Ironically, right when Pitell-Vaughan and Beavispulled into CP 7, Team #179 pulled in behind them after having done the harder line. The two teams will likely be jostling for the lead the next few days. Beavis said they had an unofficial penalty for the day of 6.4 kilometers, which would be good news for the team.

Teams in the top must continue to bring their A-game with an excellent pace and navigational accuracy for a chance at first. A tough final three days are ahead.


Pitell-Vaughan spreads the cheer

LIVE TRACKING

6 a.m. local time (10 p.m PST)

Rankings
Rankings from each Leg are not official until noon local time the next day on the official rally website:
www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com

MEDIA INQUIRES
David Brumbley

media@chaosfab.com

951.737.9682

All Photos: Nicole Dreon/Maïenga

 

Here is last nights update about all of the American teams.

American teams fight for position at Rallye Aicha des Gazelles
Three U.S. teams in Top 5 as offroad event reaches halfway point

TAFRAOUT, Morocco (March 28, 2016) -- Monday marked the halfway point in the 2016 Rally Aïcha des Gazelles and three American teams started the day in the Top 5. While the Swiss duo of Regine Zbinden and Ela Steiner held a slight lead, Americans occupied positions two through four.

Second overall was the #180 team of Nicole Pitell-Vaughan and Chrissie Beavis. Jo Hannah and Susanah Hoehn of Hoehn Motors Land Rover were third in the #107 Land Rover LR4 and the #178 Land Rover Defender team of Emme Hall and Sabrina Howells was fourth.

The challenge of the event is to drive an as-the-crow-flies route through the course, navigating the fewest possible miles between checkpoints. At the end of nine days in the desert, the team that has driven the fewest kilometers over the straight-line ideal is the winner. And while the rally is not about speed, the top competitors are so close that it's officially a race.

Only 1.91 kilometers off the lead Monday morning, Beavis and Pitell-Vaughan started the day determined to make up ground. Putting their off-road racing skills to the test early in the day, they successfully maneuvered their Toyota Tundra straight up and over a muddy hill that other teams chose to avoid. Navigator Beavis estimated the move saved as much as three kilometers on their final tally. "Our strategy was definitely to take some chances to see if we could take back the lead, and we got lucky right away," she said.

The third-place Hoehn sisters achieved all their checkpoints but said they struggled on Monday. "Today shouldn't have been a difficult day, but I just wasn't getting accurate headings and never hit a checkpoint dead-on," said Susanah Hoehn. "There were really long stretches between checkpoints and if you're off by even a half a degree that can make you off by kilometers in the end."

Monday's terrain included many wide-open plains and challenging dry riverbeds competitors call "oueds" -- the French-language term for wadi. After a weekend marathon leg that saw competitors running on minimal sleep, intense Monday heat added to the challenge. "I think the organization was really mean to the navigators today," said navigator Howells. "The entire day, no matter what direction we were going in, the sun was always on the passenger seat."

The 2016 Rallye Aicha des Gazelles runs from March 23 to March 31. Recaps and photo galleries are available for download at http://bit.ly/1RmgiLG. Final results are presented at the closing gala April 2 in Essaouira, Morocco.

MORE:
> Official rankings from each leg are posted at noon (local time) the following day at: www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com

> Live event coverage is available while vehicles are on course at: http://www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com/en/Rally/2016/live


Most checkpoints are staffed by locals from area villages. Here navigator Sabrina Howells, from Los Angeles, is all smiles as she clears her paperwork with a course worker on Monday.
(Photo: Nicole Dreon / Rallye Aicha des Gazelles)


Rally Aïcha des Gazelles
USA Teams Notes and Quotes
March 28, 2016 (Day 5) - Leg 4

Location: Zougguerhn / Zougguerhn
Ideal distance: 160 km
Estimated time: 9 hours
7 Checkpoints

RANKED 2nd at Day 5 start: Team #180 Nicole Pitell-Vaughan (Corona, California) / Chrissie Beavis (San Diego, California): Toyota Tacoma
Team #180 slipped back to second overall after the marathon leg and took some chances Monday to make up ground. They gambled on a route up and over a muddy hill early in the day to save a few kilometers, but then took a safer line around another challenge. Swiss rivals Regine Zbinden and Ela Steiner, who are leading the 4x4 division, took the opposite course in the #179 Jeep Wrangler. Which gamble paid off won't be known until Leg 4 rankings are released on Tuesday at noon (local time).

RANKED 3rd at Day 5 start: Team #107 Susanah Hoehn (Carlsbad, California) / Jo Hannah Hoehn (Carlsbad, California): Land Rover LR4
Winning the marathon leg over the weekend was a huge boost for the #107 team of Susanah and Jo Hannah Hoehn, but Monday was a struggle. "My confidence was through the roof going into Leg 4, but it quickly faded," said Susanah Hoehn. Still, the pair achieved all of their checkpoints without any major issues and are ready for Day 6.

RANKED 4th at Day 5 start: Team #178 Emme Hall (Oakland, California) / Sabrina Howells (Los Angeles, California): Land Rover Defender
Sabrina Howells and Emme Hall, who finished seventh in the #178 Land Rover Defender during the marathon leg, demonstrated the charitable disposition known as the "Spirit of the Gazelles" during Leg 4. Before arriving at their first checkpoint, they drove out of their way to pull two other teams out of the mud -- including their closet competitors, the #169 of Veronique de Sybourg-Siffert and Emilie Kuhn. "I thought the organizers would have subtracted 20 kilometers for helping dig other people out of the mud," joked Howells. Despite adding some mileage, they achieved all checkpoints for the day.

RANKED 10th at Day 5 start: Team #184 Susie Saxten (Encinitas, California) / Ivy Cass (Encinitas, California): Jeep Wrangler
The #184 team of Susie Saxten and Ivy Cass achieved all of their checkpoints on Monday -- even after making an incorrect measurement that saw them briefly traveling in the wrong direction. The team, who lost their power steering halfway through the marathon leg, said they were grateful to have a fully working car during Leg 4. Teams are allowed to have their cars fixed by mechanics in the bivouac, but they aren't permitted to get outside mechanical assistance while on the course.
RANKED 13th at Day 5 start: Team #182 Teresa Stewart (Kauai, Hawaii) / Sara Jehn (Oahu, Hawaii): Jeep Wrangler
The rookie team of Theresa Stewart and Sara Jehn are proving formidable competition. A great marathon leg moved them into third in the first-time participation rankings. While they found their first six checkpoints with ease on Monday, the seventh and final stop of the day stumped them. After driving in circles, they decided to return to the bivouac for the night. They will receive a penalty for missing the checkpoint but are expected to continue in the event.

RANKED 56th at Day 5 start: Team #188 Elaine Newkirk (Rancho Santa Fe, California) / Keely Sellers (Kihei, Hawaii): Jeep Wrangler
After struggling to find both the first and second checkpoints Monday, first-time competitors Elaine Newkirk and Keely Sellers began making progress. But as they ran out of daylight late Monday, they opted to bypass the seventh checkpoint. They will receive a penalty for the missed checkpoint, but are expected to continue in the event.

RANKED 79th at Day 5 start: Team #181 Karen Hoehn (Del Mar, California) / Maureen Gibbons (Del Mar, California): Land Rover LR4
Rookies Karen Hoehn and Maureen Gibbons also ran out of daylight in their #181 Land Rover LR4. After hitting the first six checkpoints, they decided to skip the seventh and return to camp before nightfall. "It's scary when it starts getting dark out," said Hoehn. "We decided to cut our losses and head back." They will receive a penalty for the missed checkpoint, but are expected to continue in the event.

RANKED 104th at Day 5 start: Team #127 Catherine Chiadmi (St. Petersburg, Florida) / Cecile Vinson (Vaucluse, France): Jeep Wrangler
The French/American duo of Catherine Chiadmi and Cecile Vinson made their first checkpoint easily and drove a near-perfect line between Checkpoints 3 and 4 in the #127 Jeep Wrangler. But after a few detours late in the day, they set a course for the bivouac. They will receive a penalty for missing two checkpoints but are expected to continue in the event.

 

Here is the latest update from earlier this morning.

March 29th, 2016 (CORONA, CA) – In a battle of sheer will with neither challenger backing down, Team #180 American Chaos Nicole Pitell-Vaughan and Chrissie Beavis began today’s Leg just .13 km behind first place Team #179 Régine Zbinden and Ela Steiner. Describing the highly competitive 4×4 class as fierce would be an understatement at this point, as the rally approaches the final few days with three American teams sitting in top five positions.


A great backdrop for the vehicles – the Sahara sky

Teams rose this morning to eight checkpoints, an ideal distance of 170 km and an estimated time of nine hours ahead of them. Straight lines, a notorious sand trap, hills, and rocky terrain throughout would test drivers’ skills, experience and endurance.


The “Morocco Taco” looking comfortable in its namesake country

Rough Roads Ahead

Team American Chaos’ day started out less than positive after a solid performance yesterday. Rewind to day three, Pitell-Vaughan and Beavis drove through a crater and their truck slammed hard on something – they weren’t sure what. The next few days the vehicle was fine, up until this morning when the rear shock mount broke prior to reaching CP1. The damage forced the team to drive slow and methodically straight in first and second gear dependent on the leaf pack.


Vehicles gaining ground

Later between CP 6 and CP 7, Pitell-Vaughan and Beavis came across American Team #107 Jo Hannah and Susanah Hoehn. “The air ride system in their Land Rover L4 had gone out and lowered all the way down, making it impossible for the vehicle to rise back up,” said Pitell-Vaughan, herself experienced in mechanics. Team American Chaos, in true “Gazelle Spirit,” stopped to attempt and fix the vehicle before heading on to their next CP after almost an hour.


The CRC/TOTAL CHAOS Toyota Tacoma in the thick of the competition

The admirable move unfortunately spent daylight, and Pitell-Vaughan and Beavis did not arrive at the bivouac until after first place Team #179. With a longer day spent in the vehicle for Team American Chaos, the move may have cost precious minutes of evening rest before the second grueling Marathon Leg tomorrow.


Driver’s view

Big Picture

With six official competition days behind the teams, vehicles are starting to show their wear and tear. Although this is not a race for speed, the rough rocky terrain and extreme conditions of the rally may begin to take their toll as the competition heads towards the finish. And teams need to be strategic moving and planning for solutions to save kilometers.

Case in point: In 2014, seasoned competitors Syndiely Wade and Florence Pham miscalculated a CP, leading them to a route over an extremely rocky area. They literally got out of the vehicle to physically move huge boulders, creating a route to drive through to shave off distance. Although they did not end up winning, it’s strategy like that which keep competitors in the game

It’s safe to say in true “Gazelle Rally” fashion, anything is possible in these final few days.

LIVE TRACKING

6 a.m. local time (10 p.m PST)

Rankings

Rankings from each Leg are not official until noon local time the next day on the official rally website:

www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com

MEDIA INQUIRES
David Brumbley
media@chaosfab.com
951.737.9682
All Photos: Maïenga/Nicole Dreon

 

The girls are in second place (unofficially) after the final leg of the rally!

March 31st, 2016 (CORONA, CA) – The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles has officially lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest all female sporting events on the planet. In the stretch of final Leg 6, two teams battled it out for the lead. One of them was Team #180 American Chaos, Nicole Pitell-Vaughan and Chrissie Beavis.


The CRC/TOTAL CHAOS Toyota Tacoma stealing the spotlight

The Final Countdown

“My racing has taught me that it’s not over until it’s over,” – Chrissie Beavis, 2013.

Team American Chaos began their morning back from a broken rear shock mount on Leg 5, where they had to drive in first and second gear only. It was sent to the mechanics that evening, but coupled with little sleep the night before, it’s safe to say they knew this final leg would be their ultimate test of endurance.


Vehicles gather at a CP

Leg 6 was a 235 km landscape mixed with small dunes, a huge dry lakebed, and the famed Chegaga dunes. Although not as spectacular as the Erg Chebbi dunes, they are nonetheless haunting and have a reputation amongst competitors.


Competitors will be dreaming of these dunes about two months from now

Beavis remarked prior to Leg 6, “The Chegaga dunes can be tricky to navigate through if it’s a hazy or sand-stomy day. My fingers are crossed for good weather that day.”

Unfortunately, Beavis did not get her wish. The winds kicked up and made long distance navigation virtually impossible, with sandstorms in the dunes so bad that teams could barely see the horizon. Since this is a competition about reading terrain features, that lack of visibiliy meant teams had use every ounce of mental sharpness left in them.


You can always count on sandstorms in the Sahara

Pitell-Vaughan and Beavis performed well the first day, nailing all of their checkpoints. Despite the weather, they seemingly breezed through a few expert X CPs early in the dunes.

Going into the second day of the Final Leg, the competition still could not be predicted. First place Team #179 Zbinden/Steiner, two air-traffic controllers, had neatly impeccable lines – setting a difficult path for even the experienced to beat. Pitell-Vaughan and Beavis began on point, yet as their route continued, took a few wider lines which ultimately affected their score.

“We gambled and went all in today, and we doubled down. The map lied where we thought we could save some kilometers and it made it more challenging because we were on a Marathon Leg,” said Pitell-Vaughan. “But the CRC/TOTAL CHAOS Tacoma performed flawlessly in the dunes .”


If these tires could talk

The team nailed all 11 checkpoints without any major issues and had a solid pace during the 2-day leg. And being prepared didn’t hurt. Team American Chaos’ well-prepped Toyota Tacoma was a crowd stand-out.

“We torture tested the TC +2” Race series LT kit for 1048 kilometers through the most brutal terrain imaginable. The King shocks worked flawless,” stated Pitell-Vaughan. “The TRD supercharger made navigating the dunes so easy and the Baja Designs LED Lights allowed us to find our way back to the bivouac at night.” All in a day’s work for the Morocco Taco.


Teammates pause to survey the scene

Unlike previous Gazelle Rallys, no sudden plot twists in the top were presented in these final few days, which demonstrated the utter concentration that went into these teams’ performances.

History in the making

Team American Chaos’ provisional results show they’ll likely keep their second place standing. And if that’s the case, they’ll be packing some well-deserved bragging rights.


There’s no monetary prize for podium-finishing, which Beavis is just fine with

No American team has ever podium-finished the 4×4 class in the rally’shistory, but this 26th edition will change that (in 2011 Emily Miller was the first American competitor to podium, alongside teammate Armelle Medard of France). Team #180 officially placing second will not only make them one of the first American teams to podium in 4×4 class (American Team #107 Hooehn/Hoehn’s provisional results show third place) they’ll become the highest ranking American team ever in the class. Not bad, Chaos.

Pushing limits, tackling the highest dunes in Morocco, Macgyveringvehicles – just another day for Pitell-Vaughan and Beavis.


Pitell-Vaughan in the middle of it all and loving it

“We had an amazing adventure filled with laughs,” stated Pitell-Vaughan. “And Team 179 were awesome competitors that kept us in the game. Thank you to CDV mechanics for repairing the busted rear shock mount. Thanks to Zakaria and Atraxion 4×4 for rescuing the Morocco Taco from container prison. And thank you to team TC for believing in us.”

Rankings

Official final rankings, including today’s, are expected Saturday, April 2nd on the official rally website:

www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com

MEDIA INQUIRES

David Brumbley
media@chaosfab.com
951.737.9682
All Photos: Nicole Dreon/Maïenga

 

Team American Chaos Officially Makes History as Highest Ranking American Team Ever in 4x4 Class

April 4th, 2016 (CORONA, CA) – This past weekend, Team #180 American Chaos became the highest-ranking American team ever in the 4×4 class of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles’ 26 year history.

With a beachside parade on Friday and prize ceremony the following day in the coastal town of Essaouira, Morocco, Nicole Pitell-Vaughan and Chrissie Beavis’ ranking of second place was officially confirmed.


Beavis and Pitell-Vaughan on the beaches of Essaouira, Morocco

In the hunt for the win since day one, the team fought crucially hard for the top spot. Beginning in first place of their 4×4 class, Team American Chaos slipped into second after Leg 3’s performance, where a scratch ranking of three ultimately shifted their overall ranking to two. Refusing to give up, they battled out the following competition days with consistency in both driving and navigation despite overcoming a broken rear shock mount, blinding windstorms, and a loss of daylight while assisting another U.S. team. A strong performance kept them in the top two throughout, but unfortunately wasn’t enough to clinch the coveted top spot.


Terrain varied from rocky to smooth and kept teams on their toes

Team #179 Régine Zbinden and Ela Steiner of Switzerland were a tough act to beat, with impeccably smooth, straight lines putting them in a prime position. In this ultimate moving chess game where competitors faced difficult decisions of strategy, Team American Chaos provided a nail-biting finish for not only their rivals, but also fans of the team and the rally. They finished just 1.82 km (1.13 miles) behind first place.


The CRC/TOTAL CHAOS Toyota Tacoma performed flawlessly

“It was the kind of thing where we just did everything that we could,” said professional navigator Beavis. “We had excellent competition and it made it really fun and really challenging.”



The rally is a brutal test of skill and endurance, pushing competitors’ limits both physically and mentally. And Pitell-Vaughan and Beavis wouldn’t have it any other way. From crossing the famed Erg Chebbi dunes to the grandiose cliffs of M’daouer to rock crawling the Moroccan desert, these two brought their A-game and are proud to break a record for the United States.


Team American Chaos celebrate their finish

“I would like to thank CRC and TOTAL CHAOS for their support as well as all of our other program sponsors. And thank you Morocco for welcoming the rally,” stated Pitell-Vaughan. “The game was so close and intense for nine straight days. Mental fatigue was a factor on day nine. It was an amazing experience. I look forward to returning to the States and beginning preparation to compete in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno race in August.”

MEDIA INQUIRES
David Brumbley
media@chaosfab.com
951.737.9682
All Photos: Nicole Dreon/Maïenga

 

I have a quick note from Nicole and a few more pictures to post.


"On behalf of Team #180, Chrissie Beavis and I want to thank you for following our 2016 Rallye Aiicha de Gazelles adventure online! We hope it inspired a few of you to push yourselves past your comfort zone. This 9 day event in Africa is a test of physical strength, mental focus & mechanical durability. If you let it win for even a second and get distracted, you’re out of the game! Driving straight over rocks gets really old – really fast. It destroys our equipment. At times we moved mountains of rocks to maintain our heading. Driving the dunes is where the Morocco Taco shined though, and we gave the media crews a great show. Driving 9 days straight and over 1048 KM through the Sahara to earn a 2nd place finish was no easy feat. It was great to get the fan mail during the journey and we proudly accept this podium for the great Red, White & Blue. GO USA!!

For those of you that may be up for a similar type of women’s adventure and off road challenge here in the United States, check out more info on an event this Fall 2016 @ http://www.rebellerally.com/

— The Rebelle Rally is a 7 day adventure/expedition/navigation rally raid for women covering 2,000 kilometers of street legal trails across the Southwest deserts of California & Nevada that are rich with early American pioneer history.

— It is not a race for speed. It is a competition based on driving and navigation skills. Navigate to multiple hidden checkpoints via supplied headings and conclude the day at a mobile base camp. You will be using only maps, a compass, and a supplied road book. Sleep under the stars during the entire adventure.

— No GPS is allowed. Zero electronic devices are permitted. Disconnect from the daily grind for 7 full days.

— No personal support crews. Keeping your equipment together is part of the challenge. Mechanics are on site every night. It is a confidence test for team mates. It is sure to be an unforgettable off road adventure!

— Race vehicles are not permitted. This rally is designed for street legal vehicles that are daily or expedition rigs you would use on the weekend with the family. It will test a drivers' skill to drive smart and smooth - not fast. And will test the navigators role to prove they know their exact location on a map, can problem solve under fatigue, and I am sure will test the team's communication skills too - that is just part of the game spending 7 days in a tight office space. LOL

THANK YOU again for being an extended part of our off road adventure! Now go out and embark on your next off road trip. Or check out this really cool event planned for October 2016 in Nevada & California. " Sincerely, Nicole Pitell-Vaughan

 

How freaking awesome is that!!!!

Great looking truck. LOVE that front skid bumper!

But really, no shackle flip?!?!

 

Awesome read and congratulations on the podium finish. That's one badass Taco