Revving Up for the Unknown

They say that “life truly begins at the end of your comfort zone,” a belief I’ve long held close to my heart. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, encouraged by my friend Cheryl, I decided to take a leap and apply for the SCCA Foundation Women on Track United States Road Rally scholarship. As a seasoned rally Navigator, I knew my next step was finding a reliable driver. Unexpectedly, my usual partner in adventure, my husband, declined the invitation. Then, I thought of my sister, Cyndi English, who happened to live in the area where the rally would take place. With little prior experience in rallying, she eagerly accepted the challenge. 

The catch? We hardly knew each other, and effective communication between the Driver and the Navigator is paramount in the world of rally racing. The Navigator must orchestrate the road directions and convey them in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. At the same time, the Driver must listen attentively, all while keeping an eye on their speed, odometer, and the road ahead. A wrong turn, inevitable in rally racing, could cost us valuable time. Our venture could have gone one of two ways, and we were about to find out. 

Until 19, I had always believed I was an only child. Then, one day, my mom revealed a family secret: she had given up a baby for adoption during her college years. With a determination that fueled three years of searching, I finally located Chris in Pittsburgh. Over the past three decades, he and his wife and two daughters made annual summer visits to Alaska. However, the routine changed last October when the youngest niece tied the knot, prompting our family to converge in Pittsburgh for this unforgettable occasion. 

On this journey, I had the privilege of meeting Chris’ adopted family for the first time, and among them was his adopted sister, Cyndi. Our meeting was nothing short of serendipitous, and from the very first moments, it became clear that we shared a unique bond. After all, if we were both proudly Chris’ sisters, then it was only natural that we, too, were sisters in every sense of the word. However, it’s important to note that we presented a striking contrast in appearance. Her Korean heritage and my Caucasian background meant that we didn’t fit the traditional mold of sisters. We knew our resemblance, or lack thereof, would raise questions, but it didn’t deter us in the slightest. In fact, it became the catalyst for an exciting idea. We had long contemplated traveling together to strengthen our newfound connection, and this unique situation provided the perfect excuse to set our plans in motion. 

In 2021, I embarked on a remarkable journey, competing in the Rebelle Rally alongside Michelle Hanson, a woman I had scarcely known. The Rebelle Rally stands as the longest off-road rally in the US, a unique all-female race that disallows the use of GPS, relying solely on maps and compasses for navigation. This adventure was a profound lesson in communication and teamwork. Discovering my passion for this sport had ignited an exhilarating spark within me. I was excited to share this with her; however, in the world of road rally, there was always a chance that our teamwork might be put to the ultimate test. Deep inside, I believed this experience would be transformative for both of us, altering the course of our lives in ways we couldn’t yet foresee. 

The USRRC is an SCCA National RoadRally event, changing locations each year as different SCCA Regions across the USA host it. In 2017, the honor of hosting this prestigious event fell to the Arctic Alaska Region. It was a year to remember! My husband and I, driving our vintage Mini Cooper, clinched first place for our Regional Class, marking a triumphant moment in our journey. We secured a victory, and the rally brought us closer together, serving as a wonderful bonding experience. 

What’s more, our win had a broader significance. In the world of motorsports, many women often don’t see it as something within their reach or know where to begin their journey. That’s why I’m immensely thankful to the SCCA Women on Track for their proactive efforts in promoting inclusivity. They’ve opened the door for many, like me, to explore the thrilling world of motorsports. 

With only a few weeks until the rally, Cyndi and I found ourselves in daily conversations, meticulously discussing the upcoming days on the road. But how do you adequately prepare someone for the whirlwind of intensity they’re about to experience? I arrived a few days early to ensure we were well-prepared, packed, and primed for the challenging three days ahead. We decided to wear a different costume each day to lighten the mood and keep the spirit of fun alive. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when dressed like a unicorn. Along with the costumes, we equipped ourselves with the essentials: snacks to keep our energy up, lip balm to battle the elements, and trusty highlighter pens for our road instructions. 

We arrived at Registration in style, donning our matching SCCA Driver/Navigator shirts, cut up with the rebellious flair reminiscent of 80’s metal tees. The reception we received from the crowd hinted that they might not quite know what to make of us. With the releases duly signed, and the rule book fresh in our minds, we settled in for a quick sleep before the early AM departure. 

Day 1, we set off from Exton, Pennsylvania, dressed as butterflies, and little did we know how tricky these road instructions would be. There were intricate rules, some taking precedence over others. If you missed an “onto” rule, it could potentially negate subsequent instructions. Unsurprisingly, we found ourselves making a plethora of wrong turns throughout the day. However, despite our meandering path through the Amish cornfields, we ended the day with a sense of victory, proud of how we’d managed to stay calm and composed. 

That evening, we drove to Vineland, New Jersey, where we would kick off days 2 and 3 of the rally. 

On day 2, we transformed into pineapples. The road instructions were extremely specific, demanding an exact interpretation. We faced a challenge distinguishing a 4-way stop from a 4-way blinker light — a seemingly straightforward distinction that perplexed us for the day. We felt a touch of disappointment when we couldn’t locate our final checkpoint, but we had poured an incredible amount of effort into it before we called it a day. 

After a good night’s rest, we awoke ready and determined for day 3. On this last leg of the journey, we embraced the role of unicorns, complete with blinky lights on our wings and horns. The road instructions for the day were all about timing, with a time check every 1/2 mile or so. The key was maintaining a consistent speed to hit each checkpoint at the appropriate moment. We felt accomplished as we navigated this challenge with our best precision. All in all, we cherished every moment of the rally experience we shared. 

Cyndi and I emerged from this experience with a profound, newfound respect, love, and appreciation for each other. The downtime between rally stages allowed us to engage in deep conversations, revealing countless more similarities that bind us closer. Cyndi learned the intricacies of a Driver’s world — how to modulate speed, ask precise yet straightforward questions, and unleash the throttle when necessary — valuable lessons that extend beyond rallying and into life itself. For me, this journey reaffirmed that there are kindred spirits who comprehend my thought processes and connect with my heart. It opened my eyes to the vibrant community of women who find this sport exhilarating and are eager to share in future adventures. Together, we’ve discovered a unique blend of camaraderie, adventure, and personal growth, strengthening our bond as sisters and allies in life and rallying. 

Her interest has been piqued in response to the fun we experienced during this adventure. She’s already excited about introducing her friends to it. This is how a movement gains momentum — through that heartwarming, accomplishment-driven fun where you tackle challenges head-on, even in those moments where enjoyment wavers, you discover your inner perseverance to see things through to the end. 

I cannot express my gratitude enough to Women on Track – SCCA for extending your support and fostering interest in us, female members and participants. As I look across the diverse landscape of motorsports, I can’t help but notice the conspicuous absence of women in the upper echelons of professional racing. When you inquire about the journeys of these young men racing at the highest levels, they often recount tales of being introduced to go-karts or other motorsports from a very young age. It’s a stark reality that introducing a 3-year-old girl to motorsports is often perceived differently than introducing a 3-year-old boy. However, I encourage you to expand your influence and be a part of the effort to reshape this perception. Our world is embracing inclusivity, and the motorsports industry must adapt and catch up. 

In conclusion, this entire experience has significantly influenced my life. I’m enthusiastic about sharing this journey with other women and providing them with a catalyst to forge new and more profound connections with their siblings, loved ones, and even strangers. When people seek ways to connect with others, it’s important to remember that SCCA road rallies exist in most Regions. And there is more than just road rally. There is a plethora of ways to have fun with cars! 

Jennifer Bersch, Navigator

USRRC Car #15, #16, #15