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Entry · № 40

Shaw / Ciminillo

Austin / Texas & Chicago / Illinois

The Team

Kristin Shaw & Jill Ciminillo

During the start of the pandemic lockdown back in 2020, a small group of women involved in the auto industry banded together to help them make it through the social isolation and their very personal problems that popped up during that time. We created a safe space to cry and laugh — even if it was only on Zoom once a week. We called ourselves “The Fight Club.” Both of us are a part of that group, and during one of the many conversations expressed a desire to do the Rebelle Rally because another two members of Fight Club had just completed it. We decided to team up for three Rebelle Rally competitions and now, the Trinite.

As we got to know each other as teammates and friends, we've only become closer, like sisters. We’re both focused on making this a terrific experience and pushing ourselves to be the best we can, leveraging each other’s strengths.

AUS
Home State
3+
Prior Rally Runs
2026
Model Year
Car
Class
The Drivers
Driver

Kristin Shaw

I'm half Sicilian and half Dutch, so while I think of myself as fiery and passionate, a lot of people find me to be calm and reserved until they get to know me. Ha.

Navigator

Jill Ciminillo

Don't let my size fool you. I'm petite but feisty, loyal to a fault, and sneaky if I have to be; plus, I always play the long game.

Driver 1

Kristin Shaw

Residence
Austin / Texas / USA
Prior Rallies
Rebelle Rally 2022, 2023, 2024
Role
Driver
Occupation
I'm a full-time automotive journalist. My work can be found regularly at Popular Science, Forbes, Ars Technica, Edmunds, and more.
Car Memory
Way back in 2012, I convinced a local supercar rental company to let me drive a Ferrari F430 in exchange for blog coverage. I had to pinch myself, it was such a dream! That was officially my first car review, and I built my whole career on it.
Self Described As
I'm half Sicilian and half Dutch, so while I think of myself as fiery and passionate, a lot of people find me to be calm and reserved until they get to know me. Ha.
Fun Fact
I was a college athlete, rowing for the University of Cincinnati crew for four years. I had no idea how to row when I started, but I figured I'd try it. It was one of the coolest and most amazing things I've ever done.
Dream Car
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air restomod with power steering, brakes, and a Corvette ZR1 engine. In turquoise.
Objectives
One, to have a great experience with one of my best friends: Jill Ciminillo. Two, to make Lucid proud of our representation. Three, to push myself to be the best I can be.
Greatest Adventure
Being a mom, for sure! It's everything I hoped for and more. After that, it's definitely the Rebelle Rally; I learned a whole lot about myself. I didn't like everything I learned, and that was enlightening and an opportunity to improve.
Driver 2

Jill Ciminillo

Residence
Chicago / Illinois / USA
Prior Rallies
Rebelle Rally 2022 - 2025
Role
Navigator
Occupation
I classify myself as a an automotive journalist, which has evolved over the last 20 years to mean writer, videographer, producer, talent, video editor, photographer and all-around digital content creator of things that involve new car reviews.
Car Memory
Since moments with cars are my profession, it's hard to pick out just one. But if I had to, it would be when I was testing the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and my parents were in town for a visit. I took them to the airport in the Ghost, and as we are driving though the terminal for departures, my dad rolls down the back window, and starts to do the "Queen's wave" at the people standing on the sidewalk. I laughed and was embarrassed at the same time. Especially when the people who are supposed to shoo you away at the curb came over to open my dad's door, and then asked if they could look inside. That was a great moment and memory.
Self Described As
Don't let my size fool you. I'm petite but feisty, loyal to a fault, and sneaky if I have to be; plus, I always play the long game.
Fun Fact
I attended Oxford University as a visiting scholar for a year.
Dream Car
Man, of all the cars in all the years I've been testing, that's a hard one. I'm giving you two. Practical car I could actually own is a Toyota GR Corolla with a manual transmission. The OTT aspirational car is a split-window 1963 Chevy Corvette Stingray.
Objectives
I'm not only looking forward to trying something new but also excited about spending time with my former Rebelle Rally teammate. Additionally, every time I try a new experience, I learn something new about myself, so I'm also excited to see what that new thing is. Plus, Kristin and I had a ton of fun with the route-book and TSD portions of the Rebelle, so I'm hoping to be competitive here as well as have fun.
Greatest Adventure
The Rebelle Rally, duh.
The Rig

2026 Lucid Air Sapphire

Car and Driver called the Lucid Air Sapphire "the quickest car it has ever tested" with a 0-to-60-mph time of a blistering 1.9 seconds. But it's also a fantastically comfortable, high-tech car with incredible engineering and a plush cabin. We can't wait to run it in the rally!

Follow the team:
  • Year 2026
  • Make Lucid
  • Model Air Sapphire
  • Class Car
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