Gilmour set for challenge

Emma Gilmour has returned from testing with Rhys Millen Racing in the US to begin her national campaign at the VINZ International Rally of Whangarei this weekend. Over in America, she will be driving a race-tuned Veloster as the first female to race in the 10-round Global Rallycross Championship. Back in New Zealand, she’s piloting her Suzuki Swift Maxi rally car. Gilmour says: “Although it was an amazing experience to spend some time in a 600hp rallycross car, I can’t wait to get my Suzuki back out doing some competitive kilometres.” Beginning with a ceremonial start on Friday night, the event takes in 241km of rural roads in the Far North and around Whangarei regions. Her new co-driver, experienced Australian Ben Atkinson, is no stranger to sitting next to Gilmour and she’s looking forward to teaming up with him again. They contested the International Rally of Whangarei in 2010 and 2011. Their first outing proved their compatibility with Gilmour achieving her highest placing in the event – a second outright in 2010. She believes she has the right package to press for victory this year, with testing and development work on her home-built car during the off-season improving its handling and tailoring it more to her driving style. On Saturday night, she will be able to try out the Suzuki in the dark when she joins nine international entries and 39 Kiwi teams tackling the short-sharp 1.25km Hella Pohe Island Super Special Stage. It’s the first time the event has run cars at night time and this stage accounts for two of the 14 speed tests. The International Rally of Whangarei is the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, driven by VINZ and Top Half Rally Series.