Over the years, we have competed in a variety of competitive automotive rallies in North America and abroad. Most are road rally events, some have more of an off-road component. But here, you can find all of our information regarding these competitions. Click each rally’s title for more information.
National & International Competitions
2024 Baltic Sea Circle Rally
Dates: June 22–July 7, 2024
Length: 4,771 miles (7,678 km)
Time: 16 days
Rally Type: Charity/Gimmick road rally
Location: Europe (Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland)
Vehicle: All-electric 2024 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro van
Accomplishments: First-ever non-European EV team to compete/finish Baltic Sea Circle Rally, only EV team who competed in 2024
Overall Finish: 47th of 140
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
This event—the northernmost rally in the world—started near Hamburg, Germany, and took us all the way to Nordkapp, Norway and finished back in Germany. We used an all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro, which introduced challenges within itself: charging a vehicle in nine countries in different currencies over a 16-day duration. We also raised over $3,000 USD for The Jessi Combs Foundation, our charity of choice.
2024 Alcan 5000 Winter Rally
Dates: February 22–March 1, 2024
Length: 4,790.9 miles (7,710 km)
Time: 10 days
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: U.S.A. (Washington, Alaska) and Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory)
Vehicle: 2024 INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster
Overall Finish: 1st of 17 (first place 2S class – Truck & SUV); 10th overall of 36
Accomplishments: Go Farther Award, Arctic Award
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
Our third Alcan 5000 Rally was our best performance to date. We took 1st place in the 2S (SOP or “Seat Of the Pants”) class in a 2024 INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster 4×4 SUV, partnering with the auto manufacturer, INEOS Automotive. Through a host of wintery driving conditions, the road rally competition was exceptionally close in the 2S class, providing non-stop excitement as we navigated through two U.S. states and four Canadian provinces to claim the top spot in our class, 10th overall, and two other awards.
2023 Rebelle Rally
Dates: October, 2023
Length: 1,500 miles (2,414 km)
Time: 8 days (7 days scored)
Rally Type: Traditional map-and-compass off-road desert navigational rally + enduro sections (no GPS)
Location: U.S.A (California, Nevada)
Vehicle: bone stock 2024 Honda Pilot TrailSport
Overall Finish: 8th of 10 (X-Cross Class)
Accomplishments: Honda’s first embedded journalist/competitor
Driver: Mercedes Lilienthal
Navigator: Emily Winslow
This was Mercedes’ fourth year as a driver in the Rebelle Rally and the third year she partnered with an auto manufacturer (first with Volkswagen, then Jeep, and this year, Honda). Mercedes drove a 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport, and was Honda’s first embedded journalist/competitor. This was the third year Mercedes teamed up with seasoned Rebelle Rally navigator, Emily Winslow.
2022 Rebelle Rally
Dates: October, 2022
Length: 1,600 miles (2,575 km)
Time: 8 days (7 days scored)
Rally Type: Traditional map-and-compass navigational rally + enduro sections (no GPS)
Location: U.S.A (California, Nevada)
Vehicle: Bone stock 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Overall Placement: In top 20 of 40 (4×4 Class using stock odometer and no non-GPS-enabled odometer)
Driver: Mercedes Lilienthal
Navigator: Emily Winslow
Mercedes and her navigator became the first (and still only) duo to finish the rally series employing internal combustion engines, an all-electric powertrain (partnering with Volkswagen of America in 2021), and piloting Jeep’s first-ever plug-in hybrid off-roader. Her team is also one of a small group of teams who participated in both 4×4 and crossover segments. Mercedes managed to finish in the top 20 of 40 4x4s using a stock odometer (something few teams do) as the supplied TerraTrip rally odometer wasn’t functioning correctly. A true testament to Mercedes/Emily’s communication and commitment!
2022 Alcan 5000 Summer Rally
Dates: August 22–September 1, 2022
Length: 5,040 miles (8,111 km)
Time: 10 days
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: U.S.A. (Washington, Alaska) and Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory)
Vehicle: 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Overall Finish: 6th of 8 in 2S (2S class – Truck & SUV), 17th overall of 38
Accomplishments: Gravel Travel Award and Arctic Award
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
We partnered with Subaru of America and Subaru Motorsports for the 2022 Alcan 5000, the summer iteration, and our second running of this endurance road rally. The event showcased nearly 1,500 miles (2,414 km) of dirt and gravel, with the rest being tarmac. The weather was far more cooperative than the 2020 winter edition, and the Outback Wilderness proved to be an optimal vehicle for this dirt-laden rally.
2022 Great Race
Dates: June 18–26 2022
Length: 2,400 miles (3,701 km)
Time: 9 days
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: U.S.A. (Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota)
Vehicle: 1966 Ford Mustang (289 V-8) belonging to the LeMay Auto Museum
Overall Finish: 90th of 130 (Donated 1.5 week’s worth of time and expenses to help team.)
Accomplishments: Journalist/competitor, writing two-page color spread for The New York Times on rally/team. Mentor and adult driver for all-female student team and RPM non-profit organization.
Driver: Mercedes Lilienthal and various
Navigator: Various
Mercedes was asked by the RPM Foundation to be a mentor/adult driver for an all-women’s student team and help lead them in the 2022 Great Race, a vintage car rally showcasing cars 1974 and older. She, along with two other adult drivers, drove a 1966 Ford Mustang on loan from a museum but it broke down daily. Suffering through parking lot fixes and mechanical issues, Mercedes helped lead the team to the finish line—and still managed to liaison with The New York Times photographer during the rally for a photoshoot for her biggest Times article yet.
2021 Rebelle Rally
Dates: October, 2021
Length: 1,400 miles (2,253 km)
Time: 8 days (7 days scored)
Rally Type: Traditional map-and-compass navigational rally + enduro sections (no GPS)
Location: U.S.A (Arizona, California, Nevada)
Vehicle: all-electric 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 (stock height)
Overall Finish: 8th of 10 (X-Cross Class)
Accomplishments: First-ever all-electric crossover to compete in and finish the rally series, Volkswagen of America’s first embedded journalist/competitor
Driver: Mercedes Lilienthal
Navigator: Emily Winslow
Mercedes and her navigator jumped into the unknown as the first-ever all-electric AWD crossover to compete in this grueling 1,400-mile off-road map-and-compass rally. The team partnered with Volkswagen of America, the first time the manufacturer competed in this circuit, too. EV off-roading wasn’t a thing, and still isn’t for the most part—so the team worked hard to successfully bring this colorful EV across the finish line with zero mechanical or battery issues, never once running out of range.
2020 Alcan 5000 Winter Rally
Dates: February 26–March 6, 2022
Length: 5,040 miles (8,111 km)
Time: 10 days
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: U.S.A. (Washington, Alaska) and Canada (British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory)
Vehicle: 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero XP (5MT, turbodiesel)
Overall Finish: 2nd of 2 in Historic Class, 31st overall of 36
Accomplishments: Go Farther Award, Arctic Award, Finisher Award, Rod Hall tribute vehicle
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
In 2020, we ran our first Alcan 5000 Rally, the winter version. We built up our trusty 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero XP—a two-door JDM SUV complete with a tractor-like turbodiesel (we call the vehicle the “Terra Tractor”). With a host of modifications for wintertime starting, we were able to complete the Alcan 5000 winter rally and competed in the Historic Class, in honor of the legendary late racer, Rod Hall, who competed in a Dodge Raider 34 years prior.
2018 Rebelle Rally
Dates: October, 2018
Length: 1,500 miles (2,414 km)
Time: 8 days (7 days scored)
Rally Type: Traditional map-and-compass navigational rally + enduro sections (no GPS)
Location: U.S.A (California, Nevada)
Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Tacoma TRD (6MT)
Overall Finish: 21st of 35 (top 1/3 of rookies)
Driver: Mercedes Lilienthal
Navigator: Elise Young (Bent)
Not only did Mercedes switch careers in 2018 (leaving interior design/project management of nearly 20 years for freelance journalism and PR/marketing), she got her own 4×4 (the aforementioned 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero XP), and competed in her first Rebelle Rally competition. She drove her navigator’s then-husband’s truck, a heavily modified 2012 Toyota Tacoma with a manual transmission and a brand-new clutch. The team tied for a top-20 finish, placing within the top 1/3 of rookies. One year later, Mercedes wrote her first New York Times article about that rally experience.
Regional Rallies
2024 Mountains To The Sea Rally
Date: September 21, 2024
Length: 170 miles (274 km)
Time: 1 day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon to Seaside, Oregon
Vehicle: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium (6MT)
Overall Finish: 2nd in GPS Class (Equipped), 6th overall of 12
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
The 59th annual Mountains To The Sea Rally, part of the Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinders, ran on a beautiful early autumn day over the Cascade Range mountains in Oregon and finished in picturesque Seaside, Oregon. This rally often showcases some of Oregon’s amazing backroads, and this year didn’t disappoint.
2024 Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinders Rally
Date: May, 25 2024
Length: Half-day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Portland, Oregon area
Vehicle: 2005 Subaru Forester XT (5MT)
Overall Finish: 3rd in GPS Class (Equipped), 10th overall of 20
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
This rally was our first in our turbocharged 2005 Subaru Forester XT, a return to a go-fast vehicle. It was a test of the vehicle’s handling, acceleration, and speedometer accuracy, too. The car proved to be a very good choice for TSD, as it could easily accelerate (and brake) to the needed average speeds, and the AWD system and BFGoodrich tires offered plenty of grip in the numerous corners.
2023 Ghouls Gambol Rally
Date: October 28, 2023
Length: Half-day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Portland, Oregon area
Vehicle: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium (6MT)
Overall Finish: 2nd in GPS Class (Equipped), 5th overall of 21
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
The Cascade Sports Car Club’s 57th Ghouls Gambol Rally started in Portland, Oregon, and finished on a crisp fall day at the Spirit of Halloweentown festival in St. Helens, Oregon. This Halloween-themed rally is always a good time and is the last of the CSCC rallies of the year.
2023 RASC Nor’wester Rally
Date: September 15–17, 2023
Length: Three days
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: North-Central Oregon
Vehicle: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium (6MT)
Overall Finish: 3rd of 3 in SOP (Seat Of the Pants); 14th overall of 18
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
Nor’wester is a long-running multi-day regional rally. The ’23 version had lots of rough dirt and gravel roads, and our Crosstrek—complete with all-terrain tires and skid plates—was the right car for the job. This was a very challenging rally with some experienced rallies, but it was an absolute blast to do. This rally is usually held every couple of years, and we try not to miss it.
2022 Mountains To The Sea Rally
Date: May 16, 2022
Length: 200 miles (322 km)
Time: 1 day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon to Seaside, Oregon
Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Yaris
Overall Finish: 7th of 8 SOP (Seat Of the Pants) class, 10th overall of 13
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
Our second Mountains To The Sea Rally was run in our rally Yaris. It was a fun day on scenic roads, and the Yaris did great over 200 miles of backroads out to the Oregon coast.
2022 July Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinders Rally
Date: July 23, 2022
Length: Half-day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Portland, Oregon area
Vehicle: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium (6MT)
Overall Finish: 7th of 9 SOP (Seat Of the Pants) class, 21st overall of 23
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
A new car, another rally. We took our brand-new 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium (6MT) on this event. Getting used to the new vehicle was challenging, and we placed 7th in the SOP class. The Crosstrek, however, would become a staple of TSD rally for us.
2022 March Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinders Rally
Date: March 19, 2022
Length: Half-day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Portland, Oregon area
Vehicle: 1998 Honda CR-V
Overall Finish: 11th of 13 SOP (Seat Of the Pants), 14th overall of 21
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
This was a regular Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinders Saturday rally, but we took our briefly owned 1998 Honda CR-V (AWD, 5MT) on the event. It wasn’t our best performance, but we still learned a lot.
2021 Ghouls Gambol Rally
Date: October 30, 2021
Length: Half-day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Portland, Oregon area
Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Yaris
Overall Finish: 7th of 8 SOP (Seat Of the Pants) class, 14th overall of 21
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
New wheels and tires adorned our rally Yaris for the ’21 edition of Ghouls Gambol. We didn’t have as high of a score as in ’20, but we still had a lot of fun and kept on learning.
2020 Ghouls Gambol Rally
Date: October 31, 2020
Length: Half-day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Portland, Oregon area
Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Yaris
Overall Finish: 2nd of 7 (Novice Class), 3rd overall of 17
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
Our first Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinder’s Ghouls Gambol rally was Halloween-themed. Full of tricks and traps, our car not only matched the holiday’s orange theme, but it was the first time we actually did well in a rally, giving us a confidence boost to continue with the sport.
2019 RASC Nor’wester Rally
Date: September, 2019
Length: Two days
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Oregon/Washington
Vehicle: 1989 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon (L300)
Overall Finish: 4th of 4 (Equipped class), 17th overall of 20
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
Our third TSD ever was the 2019 Nor’wester Rally. This multi-day event had lots of dirt and gravel, and we did it in our ultra-underpowered 1989 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon, the Space Tractor. It was not a great vehicle to rally in due to its low power and inability to average highway speeds, but we still had a lot of fun and learned a lot.
2019 Mountains To The Sea Rally
Date: August 10, 2019
Length: 180 miles (290 km)
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Oregon
Vehicle: 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero XP
Overall Finish: 6th of 8 (Novice class), 21st overall of 23
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
Our second-ever rally was a longer one—180 miles. It was the first rally we entered our 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero into, and we were certainly still novices. The low power made it difficult to increase our average speed and kilometer-only gauges were tough on US roads, but it was still a fun experience, and confirmed we really loved doing TSD rally.
2018 September Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinders Rally
Date: September, 2018
Length: Half-day
Rally Type: Time-Speed-Distance road rally
Location: Portland, Oregon area
Vehicle: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage
Overall Finish: 3rd place Novice class
Driver: Andy Lilienthal
Navigator: Mercedes Lilienthal
This was our first-ever TSD rally, competing as part of of the Cascade Sports Car Club Geargrinders (or CSCC for short). It was full of tricks and traps, yet we still managed to get 3rd in the Novice class. It also sparked something in Mercedes and me: We really liked TSD rally!