Emma Gilmour shares her thoughts on racing 2022 Extreme Series heading into Round 4 in Chile on September 24-25. With 3 Rounds completed in Desert X Prix, Saudi Arabia followed by a double header at Island X Prix in Sardinia in July, Emma has notched up valuable knowledge and experience racing the all-electric cars for McLaren Extreme E Team.
Having taken on the challenge of racing the all-new-sustainable Championship as reserve driver for Veloce Racing in 2021, Emma could hardly believe her good fortune when the first’s kept rolling in – #1 first female to race with the iconic McLaren Brand, and #2 first female from NZ to race in the all-electric Series paired with American driver, Tanner Foust.
Emma was under no illusions as racing the variable terrain from sand, to rocky tracks, with dust and visibility a major factor to contend with tested all driver’s and Teams capabilities on and off track. Equally, navigating racing from Qualifying through to semi-final and final race would take focus and steely resolve to produce results on table board.
For sure, Emma’s racing career has amassed array of driving skills, both in NZ and overseas. Winning the prestigous FIA Women in Motorsport and QMMF Cross-country Selection in 2015 set precedent on what would come next, with Emma becoming the first female to win a Round of New Zealand’s Rally Championship in 2016. Subsequent runner-up in 3 consecutive years racing NZRC along with competing in Rally Cross and finishing second in Asia Pacific Rally Championship, have undoubtedly contributed to Emma’s extended set of race-craft skills needed on track in Extreme E Championship.
Currently standing P8 from 3 of 5 Rounds, Emma shares her thoughts on preparations ahead of Copper X Prix in Chile, along with what it means to race for McLaren, as a Kiwi.
Emma: ‘Working closely with Tanner and our engineers we’ll try to learn the track as quickly as possibly and get the car set up to optimise our speed. It’s the first round this season where everyone is at a new venue so we’re confident that we can be competitive. Our focus will be to have a clean run in both qualifying runs to ensure we can progress through to the semi finals and then the final.
It’s really special to be part of Extreme E and what it stands for in using sport as a platform to educate and inspire its fans. Being McLaren’s first female driver is a huge honour and a title that still feels like a fairy tale. Growing up in NZ I have always been very proud of Bruce McLaren’s legacy and to race for a team that is at the pinnacle of motoring and motorsport is like a dream come true’.
Extreme E Championship Round 4 Copper X Prix, Chile, on September 24-25. Header photo: Extreme E.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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