Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series Welcomes Australian Subaru Motorsports USA Rally Co-Driver Rhianon Gelsomino

Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series Welcomes 

Australian Subaru Motorsports USA Rally Co-Driver Rhianon Gelsomino 

The award-winning pro Subaru Motorsports USA rally driver and philanthropist joined the Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series last Thursday, September 4, 2025. Rhianon Gelsomino's spirited presentation centered around her story of resilience and teamwork as she pursued her childhood dream.

Kalamazoo, Mich. (September 10, 2025) - Zeigler Auto Group welcomed professional Subaru Motorsports USA rally co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino as the latest guest speaker in its ongoing Zeigler University Speaker Series, an initiative designed to inspire and empower employees through unique insights and personal stories of perseverance and success.

Gelsomino shared her compelling journey from growing up on a farm in Australia to becoming a world-class rally co-driver. Rally is a sport where racers navigate challenging, off-road terrains in a high-speed race. 

Born in Australia to a motorsports family, racing is in Rhianon's blood, racing go-carts, autocross and stage rally to co-driving, she has come up the ranks and has competed in nearly 200 rallies in 15 countries with over 30 drivers. She joined the Subaru Motorsports USA team in 2020 and in 2021 guided Travis Pastrana to victory in the ARA National Championship. Besides her co-driver rally accomplishments, she supports the development of drivers and co-drivers through her rally training business OzRallyPro.

Rhianon Gelsomino's competitive spirit and passion were evident well before she pursued motorsport full time. While in college, she studied hairdressing and became Hairdresser of the Year for her course in 2000.

Then for six years she thrived as a physical education teacher, earning recognition as the 2005 state of Victoria Teacher of the Year in Australia, demonstrating the same drive and dedication that defines her racing career today. That role also sparked her love for mentoring and coaching, an enthusiasm she continues to carry into her professional journey as a rally co-driver.

Throughout her presentation, Gelsmino spoke candidly about her personal and professional challenges, including a severe car crash that left her with multiple broken bones and a fiery on-track incident. Despite these setbacks, she emphasized the importance of resilience, mental strength, and determination in overcoming obstacles.

"I want people to know that setbacks don't define you, they shape you," said Gelsmino. "It's about facing your fears, stepping outside your comfort zone, and taking action every single day toward your goals."

Gelsmino also offered a behind-the-scenes look at the pace note creation process in rally racing, describing the intricate shorthand system co-drivers use to guide drivers through unpredictable terrain at high speeds. She highlighted the critical role of trust, teamwork, and precision in the sport-lessons she connected directly to the world-class culture at Zeigler Auto Group.

Her message centered on the importance of dreams, determination, and seizing opportunities. "From the farm in Australia to the stages of the American Rally Championship, my journey shows that with passion and perseverance, you can achieve what once felt impossible," Gelsmino told the audience.

As a 2021 American Rally Association National Champion with Pastrana, Gelsomino shared how the pursuit of excellence is never an individual effort. "Success in rallying, and in life, is about trust, collaboration, and continuous growth. The same values I see are reflected in Zeigler's team culture."

Aaron Zeigler, president of Zeigler Auto Group, praised Gelsmino's powerful message: "Rhiannon's story of resilience and her ability to turn obstacles into opportunities is exactly the kind of inspiration our teams can carry into their daily lives. Her journey reflects the drive, adaptability, and teamwork that fuel success both on the rally stages and in business."

The Zeigler University Speaker Series continues to bring together thought leaders, industry pioneers, and inspiring individuals from around the world to help employees reach new levels of personal and professional development.

Click here to listen to Geismino's interview on Zeigler's Driving Vision Podcast hosted by Mike Van Ryn and Sam D'Arc.

About Zeigler University 

Zeigler University is an internal leadership and development program within the Zeigler Automotive Group organization dedicated to attracting, training, and retaining the best talent in the industry.

The program includes one-on-one mentoring, strategic recruiting; and programs such as the Zeigler University Speaker Series which focuses on bringing in entrepreneurs, athletes, innovators, and leaders across different industries, to share their stories and points of view with the Zeigler team. Past celebrity guest speaker appearances include Grant Cardone, Bill Rancic, PJ Fleck, and more.

About Zeigler Automotive Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.

Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.

The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.

Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2024.

The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor's top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.