Rally season’s final round has ups and downs for Gilmour

Emma Gilmour was left wondering what could have been at yesterday’s Hyundai NZ Raglan Rally of the Coast, after she had some fast stage times, interspersed with mechanical issues.

The final round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) started well for her and co-driver Anthony McLoughlin, as they powered the Vantage Windows and Doors Suzuki Swift AP4 through the first two stages with the third fastest times.

“We had such a good beginning to this event and the Suzuki felt great with changes we had made between rounds,” Emma says.

Then disaster struck on stage three, when a driveshaft broke, meaning they missed stage four as Emma’s team worked frantically to make the necessary repairs.

They were able to re-join and “had an awesome stage five and six,” Emma says.

“The whole point of re-joining was to get some power stage points which we did. We were second quickest in those two stages. But finishing stage six our centre diff stopped working, possibly due to the driveshaft failure in the morning.”

“Due to our earlier withdrawal we had salvaged the most Championship points we could from the day. We were unable to quickly fix the centre diff issue at service, so unfortunately had to withdraw from the event. It was a very disappointing way to finish the season. We had great speed at times throughout the year but our reliability let us down today. It was a case of what could’ve been I guess.”

“Thank you to my supporters and sponsors. We will go back to the drawing board and make a plan of attack for the 2019 rally season,” Emma says.

Emma would like to thank her sponsors Suzuki NZ, Vantage Windows and Doors, Gilmour Motors Suzuki, Koba Batteries, Rothbury Insurance Brokers, PPG Paint, Castrol, Hella, Uniform NZ, Provident, Interislander, NGK Spark Plugs, Custom Signs, Modena Race Gears, Pure Sports Nutrition and Webdesign for supporting the team.

Media release: Catherine Pattison

CAPTION: When it was going well, the Vantage Windows and Doors Suzuki Swift AP4 was achieving top three stage times at the Hyundai NZ Raglan Rally of the Coast yesterday. 

PHOTO: GEOFF RIDDER