Rhianon Gelsomino
Rally racing // Wedderburn, Victoria, Australia
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Elite rally co-driver with 200+ races across 15 countries, Rhianon Gelsomino has won championships with Travis Pastrana while mentoring the next generation of female racers.
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Rhianon Gelsomino BIO
Rhianon Gelsomino is an elite rally co-driver who has conquered over 200 races across 15 countries, cementing her reputation through championship victories alongside drivers like Travis Pastrana while helping shape the next generation of female racers in a historically male-dominated sport.
EARLY YEARS
Born into an Australian motorsport family, Rhianon grew up surrounded by the roar of engines and dusty rally tracks. Her father Mike Reeves was a rally driver, and both brothers Nathan and Brendan followed the family tradition, creating an environment where racing wasn’t just a hobby but a way of life. From her earliest memories, she was immersed in motorsport culture, spending weekends at races rather than typical childhood activities.
At 17, she got her first taste of competition in go-karts, later graduating to a hand-me-down Datsun 1600 for autocross races on Australian gravel tracks at age 22. Growing up on these dusty roads provided the perfect training ground for her future career, though her path wasn’t immediately clear. Initially pursuing other interests including teaching physical education, the call of rally racing eventually proved too strong to ignore.
EARLY SUCCESS
Rhianon’s transition from driver to co-driver marked the beginning of her remarkable journey in professional rallying. Her natural aptitude for creating precise pace notes and calm navigation under pressure quickly distinguished her in competition. After a serious crash in 2009 forced her to choose between teaching and racing, she committed fully to her motorsport career, a decision that would prove transformative.
Her early competitive breakthrough came with participation in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with a North American team, achieving several impressive top-ten finishes. What made these results particularly notable was accomplishing them without the benefit of two-pass recce (course reconnaissance) that was standard in other regions, showcasing her exceptional ability to adapt to challenging conditions with minimal preparation time.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2021: Won American Rally Association National Championship with Travis Pastrana.
- 2021: Secured four event wins and two second-place finishes in the ARA season.
- 2012: Made career-advancing move to the United States, expanding international opportunities.
- Various years: Claimed multiple US titles in 2WD Open categories.
- Career milestone: Competed in over 200 races across 15 countries.
REPUTATION
In the high-stakes world of rally racing, Gelsomino has earned recognition as one of the most skilled and reliable co-drivers in the sport. Her reputation rests on an exceptional ability to remain calm under pressure, deliver precise pace notes, and form successful partnerships with diverse driving personalities. The collaboration with extreme sports icon Travis Pastrana particularly highlights her adaptability, as she perfectly complements his intense driving style with her methodical approach.
Beyond her technical abilities, Rhianon is respected for her remarkable resilience. After experiencing a severe crash and fire in 2014, she demonstrated extraordinary determination by returning to competition within weeks. This perseverance in a male-dominated field has made her an inspiration for aspiring female racers. Her current work mentoring emerging talents like Lia Block further cements her status as not just a competitor but a vital contributor to the sport’s future.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
For 2025, Rhianon is set to compete in the American Rally Association season alongside Travis Pastrana with Subaru Motorsports USA. Their campaign will begin with the Olympus Rally in Washington, where she’ll navigate a newly developed Limited Four-Wheel Drive (L4WD) car created in partnership with Vermont SportsCar. This initiative aligns with Subaru’s strategic vision to expand rally racing’s accessibility and popularity across America.
Looking beyond immediate competition, her long-term aspirations appear focused on continuing championship success while playing a pivotal role in growing the sport. With strong backing from sponsors including Subaru Motorsports USA, Yokohama Tire, and Kubota USA, she’s well-positioned to achieve both competitive goals and broader ambitions of inspiring the next generation of rally competitors, particularly young women entering this challenging motorsport discipline.
References:
DirtFish: Rhianon Gelsomino Profile
Road & Track: Rally Co-Driving Feature
iHeartFast.com Interview with Rhianon Gelsomino
Subaru Motorsports USA Team Announcement
American Rally Association Championship Records
