The final round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC), this weekend’s Rally New Zealand, in Tauranga, is Emma Gilmour’s last chance to claim a podium this season.
The Dunedin rally driver showed good pace at the previous NZRC round last month – the Handy Rentals Rally of Waitomo – to finish fifth and she and Australian co-driver Anthony McLoughlin will be looking to further increase their performance in the Vantage Windows and Doors Suzuki Swift AP4 on Saturday and Sunday.
Emma has had more seat time than usual lately, having taken advantage of the Suzuki’s trip back down south from Waitomo, to compete in some local events along the way.
First up was the Phil Fiddymont Memorial Rallysprint in Nelson, which Emma contested with up-and-coming co-driver Samantha Gray. The pair won the event and Emma enjoyed the chance to pit her Suzuki against the 8km course over a series of three runs.
Heading back down the South Island, Emma also contested the Eastern Southland Car Club’s Tokonui Hill Climb earlier this month and then finished runner-up at the Otago Sports Car Club’s Ridge Road event the following day.
“It was near the end of the season and I felt like I hadn’t been driving that much. There are several elements to finding some more speed and having three events in two weekends gave me some great opportunities to spend more time in the Suzuki,” Emma says.
A podium finish has eluded Emma this year and she and Anthony will be doing their best to rectify that situation over the 14 special stages covering 280km this weekend.
Based from the host city of Tauranga, Saturday’s competitive action will start with teams heading over the Kaimai ranges to the West Coast. Here they will contest eight stages totalling 200km, based from a central service park at Raglan. Stages including Te Akau, Te Hutewai and the iconic WRC Rally NZ signature test – the world renowned 29km Whaanga Coast – await the drivers.
Leg two on Sunday is based from the ASB Baypark Stadium and takes in six special stages to the south of Tauranga including the 25km Manawahe test. A traditional favourite from Rally New Zealand events of the 1980s and 1990s, the road winds through farmland and around Lake Rotoma with the popular spectator vantage point at Helicopter corner.
“I can’t wait to get out on the incredible Rally New Zealand stages again, especially the Whaanga Coast, as it has been five years since we last drove them,” Emma says.
Rally New Zealand organisers have also combined with Motorsport Bay of Plenty to run a special stage in the TECT Park motorsport facility, in Ngawaro, which is about half way between Tauranga and Rotorua, providing a number of great spectating opportunities for rally fans.
Emma’s supporters can head along to the Strand in Tauranga, as it will host a pre-event rally show and ceremonial start on Friday evening. They will have the opportunity to get autographs, see the cars and chat to the drivers.
The victory celebrations and podium presentations will be held on the finish ramp back at Baypark on Sunday afternoon.
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