There are certain moments in automotive culture that remind you why this community is so special. The inaugural Trinitē Road Rally, from May 4-7, 2026, was one.
By: Valerie Caprigno
When my teammate Stephanie and I arrived at the rally, we were complete strangers who decided to embark on this adventure one month prior to the event. Neither of us had rally experience. Neither of us had ever competed in a Time Speed Distance (TSD) rally. One of us had never even driven on a racetrack. And yet, within a few short days, we found ourselves navigating Northern California’s incredible roads, learning precision rally skills on the fly, and building a partnership inside our BMW X3 that became stronger with every mile.
What could have been intimidating instead became one of the most rewarding automotive experiences I’ve ever had.
The Right Vehicle for the Adventure
Our rally vehicle was graciously provided by Enterprise Exotics Bay Area, which supplied us with a BMW X3 for the event. It quickly proved to be the perfect companion for the rally’s diverse challenges.
The Trinitē Road Rally combined scenic touring roads, technical TSD segments, observation challenges, and performance driving at Sonoma Raceway. The X3 handled all of it effortlessly.
What stood out most was the versatility of BMW’s X platform. On the winding mountain roads and coastal routes NorCal is so famous for, the X3 remained composed and confidence inspiring. During transit sections, it was comfortable and refined. And when precision mattered during TSD exercises, the vehicle’s stability and predictability helped reduce stress for two rookies trying to learn an entirely new motorsport discipline in real time.
The beauty of the BMW X lineup is that it allows drivers to pursue adventure without sacrificing driving engagement. Something I hear from our BMW CCA X Chapter members repeatedly. Over the course of the rally, we experienced exactly why so many enthusiasts continue to embrace these vehicles for road trips, motorsports, and everything in between. Many discount them as grocery getters or kid shuttles but #IYKYK.
Rally-Ready Thanks to Incredible Sponsors
One of the things that made this experience even more special was the support we received from sponsors who helped prepare us for the adventure ahead.
FCP Euro equipped us with road-trip-ready essentials that quickly became invaluable throughout the rally. Their tire inflator gave us peace of mind during long transit sections, while the Gyeon quick detailer and glass cleaner helped keep the X3 looking sharp and windshield visibility crystal clear through changing road and weather conditions. They also sent along FCP swag that added even more excitement to the experience and reminded us how enthusiast brands continue to support and invest in automotive communities. Especially a company like FCP, which does so much to make sure it’s dialed in and supportive of the car community. There’s even a dedicated BMW team to ensure the products we order meet the test of being trusted on their own vehicles. An assurance we can consider when placing orders with FCP for our own projects.
We were also proudly supported by Harveys California, and its iconic seatbelt bags became the perfect rally companion. Beyond looking stylish throughout the event, the bags helped us stay organized while constantly moving between route books, timing equipment, mobile devices, and all the miscellaneous items rallying seems to require. Functionality and fashion do not always coexist in motorsports, but Harveys delivers both effortlessly.
Having support from companies that genuinely embrace automotive culture added another meaningful layer to the experience.
Learning Time Speed Distance… in Real Time
For newcomers, Time Speed Distance rallying can feel overwhelming at first. Maintaining precise averages, following route instructions, monitoring timing, and staying coordinated as a team requires constant communication and focus.
There were moments where we absolutely felt like rookies—because we were.
Missed turns. Confusion over timing calculations. Trying to interpret instructions while simultaneously enjoying some of the best roads California has to offer. Every stage became a lesson in teamwork and adaptability.
But that’s also what made the experience so rewarding.
Rather than competing purely on outright speed, TSD rallying rewards consistency, communication, and precision. It forces driver and navigator to function as a cohesive unit. By the end of the rally, Stephanie and I had developed a rhythm that simply didn’t exist on day one. On day one we were given the opportunity to practice, and it was a hot mess. We didn’t know how to communicate, what the symbols in the sample road book meant, struggled to understand the external odometer and Richta Competitor app to name just a few of our initial challenges.
The learning curve was steep, but the rally community never made it feel intimidating. Some of the experienced Rebelles like Rebecca Donaghe (BMW USA’s driver in the 2025 Rebelle Rally, driving for Bentley in Trinitē) and Jill Ciminillo (driving for Lucid in Trinitē) even taking time out of their own teams’ preparation to help us understand some of the mechanics with patient explanations and kind words of encouragement.
Roads Worth Remembering
Emily Miller, the event’s founder.
The rally route itself was spectacular. One thing Emily Miller, founder of the Rebelle Rally and Trinitē Road Rally, and her team are known for is building events that are beyond curated. They are meaningful. On day one she welcomed teams and spoke to use about the significance of the rally’s name: “Trinitē is egalitarian…when things exist in threes, they are experienced as deeply satisfying. The power of three is undeniable. Body, mind and spirit. Past, present and future. Driver, navigator and vehicle. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…I hope you have things in life that create your trinity.” As Emily promised that first day, we drove curated routes, experienced exceptional scenery, and famous and special “secret spots”. The event launched in San Francisco’s Presidio and traveled through Northern California, which provided the perfect backdrop for the event, with sweeping vineyard roads, forested sections near Guerneville, technical elevation changes, and scenic stretches that constantly reminded us to look up from our rally instructions and appreciate where we were. And left us wishing we had time to stop and take photos more often than we’d like to admit.
The route design struck an impressive balance between challenge and enjoyment. There were moments that demanded total concentration (one lane roads with two-way traffic?!?! Oh yes, that happened!) and others that simply allowed us to enjoy the drive like cruising along the world-famous PCH (Pacific Coast Highway aka US1)—exactly the kind of experience that makes enthusiast events memorable.
Every checkpoint felt like another shared accomplishment. Here are just some of the impressive stats from the 3-day rally, as shared by the Trinitē organizers:
- 796 kilometers (because among everything else, we also had to learn the metric system!)
- 2,679 corners
- 1,321 right turns
- 183 doglegs
- 381 tight turns
- 107 hairpins
Sonoma Raceway: Pushing Beyond Comfort Zones
Day three brought one of the biggest highlights of the event: Sonoma Raceway.
For many participants, this was a chance to combine rallying with performance driving in one of America’s most iconic motorsport venues. For our rookie team, it also meant confronting a completely new challenge.
One of us (and several other competitors) had never driven on a racetrack before. What could have been nerve-wracking quickly became exhilarating. We participated in timed laps for points and also had the opportunity to experience autocross in a more relaxed environment. Pulling into Garage #22 felt surreal —the kind of moment that reminds you how accessible and welcoming the automotive community can be when the environment encourages learning instead of ego.
The experience reinforced something BMW enthusiasts already know well: performance driving is not reserved for experts. With the right support and encouragement, newcomers can step outside their comfort zones and discover entirely new passions. The spirit of Trinitē which celebrates everyday vehicles also shone a light on the capability of every vehicle in the rally from a Chrysler Pacifica (yes, a minivan was on the racetrack AND shockingly it performed really well!) to the Ford F150 and the 1985 Toyota Tercel, among others.
The Influence of the Rebelle Rally Community
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Trinitē Road Rally was the culture surrounding it.
Many competitors came from the Rebelle Rally community, and their influence shaped the atmosphere of the event in the best possible way. The camaraderie, encouragement, and willingness to help newcomers created an environment that felt collaborative even within competition.
Experienced competitors offered advice freely. Teams supported one another. Questions were welcomed and supported instead of dismissed.
As rookies, that culture made all the difference.
The Trinitē Rally community carried forward the same spirit that has made Rebelle such an influential force in motorsports: empowering drivers to challenge themselves while building meaningful connections along the way.
By the end of the rally, we no longer felt like outsiders trying to figure things out. We felt part of a community.
More Than a Competition
The inaugural Trinitē Road Rally was about far more than checkpoints, scores, or standings.
It was about growth.
It was about learning new skills, adapting under pressure, and discovering confidence in unfamiliar situations. It was about turning strangers into teammates and creating friendships through shared challenges. It was about celebrating driving, adventure, and the incredible people who make automotive communities thrive.
And somewhere between the rally instructions, the breathtaking roads, the timing calculations, and the laps around Sonoma Raceway, two rookies discovered that sometimes the best automotive experiences begin by saying yes to something completely outside your comfort zone.
The miles, the mistakes, the victories, and the community are what made this rally unforgettable — and I have a feeling the inaugural Trinitē Road Rally is only the beginning.
On a personal note, this was my last formal activity acting as the President and representing the X Chapter. The X Chapter has been my BMW CCA home for the past six years since joining in its inception year. It’s hard to step away from the chapter that I have taken an instrumental role in helping to grow and flourish and also to hand over the chapter’s leadership to a new president. It was an honor to be able to compete in Trinitē not only as a representative of the club and chapter but in a highly capable X vehicle as a special nod to my own history with the chapter. As I prepare for my transition to secretary with the club’s national board, I plan for this to be just the first of many Trinitē competitions where I have the chance to represent the club (I may even be looking for a teammate. Any volunteers?).
