Emma Gilmour
Rally racing // Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Rallying teaches you to adapt quickly—every corner is a new challenge, and that’s what keeps me hooked.
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Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Emma Gilmour is a groundbreaking rally driver who made history as the first female driver for McLaren when she joined their Extreme E team in 2021.
EARLY YEARS
Emma grew up in Dunedin, New Zealand, surrounded by motorsport influence. Her father, John Gilmour, was a competitive rally driver who competed nationally during the 1970s and 1980s, even winning New Zealand’s Race to the Sky hill climb in 1998. By age 10, Emma was already behind the wheel of a go-kart on a homemade track on the family farm, and at 15, she became a co-driver for her father in local rallies. This early exposure to New Zealand’s demanding terrain—mixing gravel, mud, and hairpin turns—built the foundation for her technical precision and adaptability.
EARLY SUCCESS
Emma’s competitive nature emerged early when she raced motocross at age 13, competing against boys in local events before transitioning to four-wheel racing. Her rally career took shape in New Zealand’s challenging conditions, where she quickly established herself as a formidable competitor on the domestic circuit. The skills she developed navigating for her father proved invaluable as she transitioned to the driver’s seat, allowing her to read terrains and anticipate challenges with remarkable precision.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2016: Finished as runner-up in the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) driving a Suzuki Swift[1].
- 2017: Set a women’s record time at the Race to the Sky hillclimb event in New Zealand[2].
- 2021: Competed in the inaugural Extreme E season with Veloce Racing, securing 2nd place at the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia[3].
- 2022: Became the first woman to win a stage in the New Zealand Rally Championship at Rally Coromandel[4].
- 2022: Achieved 3rd place at the Extreme E Island X Prix in Sardinia, Italy, with Veloce Racing[5].
- 2023: Secured 2nd place at the Extreme E Hydro X Prix in Scotland with Veloce Racing[6].
REPUTATION
Emma has earned respect for her consistent performances and technical driving ability, particularly on challenging terrain. Her breakthrough into Extreme E racing with McLaren significantly raised her global profile in motorsports. As one of the most accomplished female drivers in rally, she has been recognized for advancing women’s participation in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport. Her ability to adapt to diverse racing conditions—from the gravel roads of New Zealand to the extreme environments of Extreme E circuits—has solidified her reputation as a versatile and skilled driver.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Looking beyond 2024, Emma aims to continue advocating for increased female participation in motorsports through programs like the FIA’s Girls on Track. While not explicitly stated, she has expressed interest in exploring opportunities in higher-profile rally events contingent on competitive offers, while maintaining her focus on achieving podium finishes in Extreme E competition.
References:
Stuff.co.nz Interviews
Emma Gilmour Official Website
New Zealand Motorsport Archives
McLaren Racing
Extreme E Official Results
New Zealand Rally Championship Records
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