Emma made her racing debut at the Targa Bambina: “The Ultimate Road Race” in 2002. Finishing 1st in the class and 6th overall, she began the path to become the one of the best racers in the sport, with finishes like 2nd overall in the New Zealand Rally Championship (2012, 2011 and 2010), and 2nd overall in the 2012 Group N Rally New Zealand. Between 2009 and 2012, she earned 15 New Zealand Rally podiums, and six Asia Pacific Rally podiums; there is no wonder why she is considered one of the fastest female rally drivers in the world.
Then, in early 2014, Emma received a call from fellow New Zealander Rhys Millen, asking her to join the Hyundai Motorsports team and race alongside him in the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship. Her decision to join the Hyundai/RMR racing team marks her as the first female rallycross driver in the U.S. GRC. “To step up and have the opportunity I have with Rhys and Hyundai is the pinnacle of my career,” Gilmour said. “The opportunity to join a professional team in a professional series like Global Rallycross is just a huge step up for me.” It will be interesting to see how she adapts from her off-road rallying in New Zealand to a variety of tarmac and gravel-based competition in the U.S. throughout the season.
Meet Emma
Occupation:
Business Owner and Rally Driver
Hometown:
Dunedin, New Zealand
Education:
St. Hildas Collegiate, Denedin
Bachelor of Arts, Otago University
Height:
5’ 7”
Driving Style:
Aggressive, Smooth and committed
Biggest Achievement to Date:
Being the fastest female rally driver in the world
Goals:
NZ Rally Champion
What I love about Rallying is:
The buzz of driving a car fast as possible on a closed public road. I love having a car so well set up that it feels like an extension of yourself as you make it dance and glide effortlessly from corner to corner.