Following last year’s cancellation of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC), Emma Gilmour’s excitement levels are higher than usual heading into the 2021 season opener at her home event this weekend.
The Dunedin rally driver will start the five-round NZRC at the Rally of Otago with a tried and proven new team and a fresh perspective. Choice Performance, in Pukekohe, has given the Vantage Windows and Doors Suzuki Swift AP4 its pre-season refresh and has been running it for Emma in the North Island.
After more than a decade working with Australian co-drivers, Emma decided to keep it Kiwi last year and enlisted Cambridge-based Malcolm Peden to call her pace notes.
A competitor since 2003, with co-driving experience in New Zealand and in Asia Pacific Rally Championship events, Malcolm was an obvious choice.
“I was excited to join Emma and in the events we’ve done together she’s shown great pace. Her notes system is well-developed, which makes my job easier. I’m looking forward to teaming up with her again this season,” Malcolm says.
The duo immediately gelled in 2020 in the limited events they were able to contest of the Covid-19-affected season. They achieved a podium finish of third at the Bay of Plenty Rally and went on to a top five result at the City of Auckland Rally, coming home in fourth.
A recent shakedown at the Popotunoa Rallysprint, in Southland, proved the Suzuki Swift AP4 is running in fine form, as Gilmour posted the fastest time for the day.
“We were lucky last year to get the opportunity to rally a couple of times and were able to fine tune the car. The reliability is now dialled in and the Suzuki is set up how I like to drive it.”
“Our team is completely New Zealand-based this year, which is a big, positive change for me. Choice Performance have been doing a great job running the car for me and it takes the pressure off my shoulders,” Emma, who owns a Dunedin car dealership, says.
She is also grateful that her long-term sponsors are all back on board for 2021.
“I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve in the NZRC this season. Being consistent and competitive are my goals as we strive for rally wins. I really missed Otago last year when it was cancelled and can’t wait to roar off the start line for the first stage on Saturday,” Emma says.
Finishing the 14-stage event strongly will be Emma’s firm focus, to get a good start on the five round season.
This year’s Otago Rally route will be held to the southwest of Dunedin and includes popular stages Kuri Bush, Waipori Gorge and McLaren Gulley.
Emma’s fans can see her in person at the rally motorshow and ceremonial start in the Octagon on Friday from 5pm, with the first car leaving at 6.15pm. An easy place to catch her in action is at downtown Dunedin’s tarmac superstage on Anzac Avenue on Saturday from 3pm.
After the traditional season-opening Otago Rally, the NZRC heads north to the International Rally of Whangarei and then back to the Mainland for Rally South Canterbury. Hawke’s Bay features on the calendar for the first time in nine years, before the series finishes with the one-day Rally Coromandel.
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