Turbo issues for Gilmour

Emma Gilmour had a rough ride at the Dirt Track in Charlotte with mechanical issues hampering her Rhys Millen Racing Veloster Turbo’s performance meaning she missedout on a place. The fifth round of the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship (GRC) started off with the Dunedin-based racer and car dealer one second off team owner and boss Rhys Millen. She pulled that back to 0.7sec in the next practice before losing boost. “The track was so rough and they watered it down, so it became like ice,” says Gilmour. “My head has been rung like a pinball so many times within the seat wings going over the rough ground.” She had throttle problems in qualifying and was only able to record one flying lap. Her team changed the turbo, hoping for a better result in the first heat. “The boost hose came off again in heat one. The second heat was a struggle too and the team later found the front strut had blown, which wouldn’t have helped the handling.” It was in the semi-final when everything started to turn in Gilmour’s favour.“I had an awesome start and got up to fourth after starting seventh. I battled with Nelson Piquet Junior and Scott Speed, but missed out and finished sixth.” The last chance qualifier was tough, with Gilmour lined up against Millen, Speed, Piquet, Patrik Sandell, Bucky Lasek and Austin Dyne. “We had made some set-up changes that weren’t quite right. Rhys, Patrik and I missed out on the final, so it will have to be the next event where I make my first final.” Ken Block won the final in his Ford Fiesta ST over Subaru Rally Team USA’s Sverre Isachsen and SH Racing Rallycross driver Nelson Piquet Jr. Gilmour has a month back in New Zealand before Daytona from August 22-23 with the GRC’s Detroit round scheduled for next weekend being changed to a two-round event at Los Angeles on September 20 and 21.