Team Miller Fisher to Compete in the 19th Edition of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles – March 14-28, 2008

Team Miller Fisher heads to the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, a grueling nine-day off-road driving competition held annually in Morocco.  Two primary factors make the rally unique – the competition is open to women only and does not allow the use of GPS or pace notes.  Keen traditional navigation skills are challenged as teams work to reach a series of checkpoints each day.  Only compasses, fifty year-old maps, rulers and calculators are permitted.  The teams leave the line at six a.m. each morning and can expect to drive ten to fourteen hours each day along the northern edge of the Algerian border. The event also consists of two “marathon legs,” where one leg covers two days of competition before teams are allowed return to the bivouac.

119 teams are entered in this year’s event from thirteen countries.  Team Miller Fisher is the only US team to compete and the second US team in the nineteen-year history of the rally.  The team will participate in scrutineering in Sète, France on March 14th before traveling across the Mediterranean to Africa.

About the Team –
Emily Miller is a team driver for Rod Hall Racing and will be piloting an Isuzu D-Max pickup.  Trained by the legendary off-road racer Rod Hall, she debuted at the 2006 Baja 1000 and in 2008 became the first woman to “ironman” the longest off-road race in the US.  Her strengths are endurance, determination and proven ability to finish strong.  “Rod has always emphasized racing smart and being kind on the equipment.  These will be key lessons to take to this rally.”

Wendy Fisher is a two time world-extreme skiing champion, former US Ski Team member, Olympian and star of many action sports films.  She will accompany Miller as navigator – an essential component for success in this event.  Miller noted “Wendy is the perfect choice as a teammate.  She is a tremendous athlete, hard worker and is extremely detail oriented.  Her precision in preparation and navigation training has been unparalleled.”

The team is committed to  a multi-year effort and is sponsored by Rod Hall Racing, Salomon, BFGoodrich Tires, Nite Rider, Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Tony Hawk Family.  To learn more about the team’s sponsors, click on the logo links. Partners include Manifest Group, LoBar and Soulside Network.  Clif Bar is a partner of the team’s humanitarian and environmental efforts.

Follow the Team –
To follow the team’s blog and sign up for Twitter updates, log on to www.teammillerfisher.com.

To learn more about the rally and follow the team during the event via live satellite tracking – March 14-28th – log on to www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com.