Gilmour targeting a championship podium at International Rally of Whangarei

Dunedin’s Emma Gilmour is in a strong position heading into this weekend’s International Rally of Whangarei and she intends to finish the event on the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) podium.

Joined again in the Vantage Windows & Doors WRC2 C3 rally car by co-driver Malcolm Read, Emma is fresh off a third-place finish at last month’s penultimate round in the Bay of Plenty. She is tied on 102 points for fourth in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship with Zeal Jones. The two drivers trail third-placed Robbie Stokes by a mere three points.

Emma and Malcolm will contest 18 special stages over 260 kilometres on what are widely regarded as some of the world’s best gravel rally roads in the 2024 International Rally of Whangārei. The fast cambered roads of the north will double as the final round for both the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and the 2024 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.

“I’ve always enjoyed the Rally Whangarei stages and have had some strong results there in the past. Malcolm and I will be aiming to finish on the podium for the championship. We want to end the season on a high and the fact that Whangarei doubles as the final round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, makes it even more appealing to do well,” Emma says.

“This weekend will be the first time I’ve contested all the NZRC rounds since around 2017 – a long time ago! I am keen to get back out there and keep progressing with the C3. I feel like I am getting more out of it every event that I contest.”

“The progression we’ve made was evident at the Bay of Plenty event, with Malcolm and I working well together and having such a strong result in the NZRC. That podium was great for my confidence heading into the final round of the series.”

The rally schedule starts on Friday at a display park on John Street, Central Whangarei with all competing vehicles on site by 4.45pm.

On Saturday, the rally teams will head to the stages south of Paihia and northwest of Whangārei. The Pohe Island Super Special Stage starts from 5pm and all rally competitors will complete the 1km gravel stage twice. The jump will be a great spectacle for spectators.

On Sunday, the teams will head out on stages south of Whangārei. The finish ceremony will be held at 3pm at the service park at Pohe Island.

Emma Gilmour thanks the following sponsors for their support: Vantage Windows & Doors, Gilmour Motors Suzuki, Dura-Seal, Dayle ITM, MITO, Suzuki New Zealand, Castrol NZ, Sparco, Allport Motorsports, Custom Signs, NGK, Webdesign, Pure Sports Nutrition and Body Synergy Gym.