The engines rev loudly, exhaust fumes cloud the air, and the fans are keyed-up for a kick of adrenaline. As the flag is waved, the cars race off in a jousting blur. And among the competitors is Emma Gilmour first female driver to race in the Red Bull Global Rally Cross.
Emma Gilmour has proven herself to be a strong competitor. This year she will be racing for Hyundai with her team mate and boss Rhys Millen. With her team behind her, Gilmour surprises audiences, showing skills that make race enthusiasts stop in their tracks.
“I was really excited to be the first female taking part in rally cross,” Gilmour told Forbes.
Rally Cross is a relatively new sport, emerging as a niche for city residents with its mixture of stage rallying and motor cross, often held on city street or suburban circuits. While the first race was in Lydden Hill Circuit, London as far back as 1967, it really only gained popularity after a successful relaunch in 2010 at the extreme X Games, following which the Global Rally Cross games started in 2011. These cars can blast from 0-60 MPH in 1.9 seconds – faster than NASCAR and Formula One racers.
With a background in horse riding before moving onto motor sport, Gilmour has realized that it is the feel and finesse of the movement and speed that captivates her. It takes elements such as precision, patience, timing, and having superb vision to drive at this level. She also believes that there is a strong sense of aggression and competitiveness as all her hungry opponents battle it out for that first place at the finish line
“You can’t just simply go out there and drive fast,” Emma Gilmour said.
Involvement started for Emma Gilmour in stage rallying in New Zealand. In stage rallying there are two drivers – a driver and a co-driver who navigates and instructs pace notes. After experiencing this role for a while she decided that getting behind the wheel was something that she wanted to try.
“I’d always really enjoyed driving… I had a go at Rally Cross and I just took to it like a duck takes to water,” she said.
This passion has turned into success for Gilmour, but she still has a long way to go before she can turn professional. She is currently not paid for racing in rally cross, but works a day job to keep her dream alive.
“I’d love to be professional, but you’ve got to start somewhere and work your way up,” she said.
