Emma makes X Games Semis
Emma Gilmour at the second Red Bull Global Rallycross round at the X Games in Austin, Texas this weekend. Photo Rob Lescaille.
Avoiding the carnage around her, New Zealand’s Emma Gilmour has stormed through to an incredible Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship (GRC) semi finals result at the X Games in Austin, Texas this weekend.
Competing as the sole female, due to the non-appearance of Australian drifter Sarah Burgess, Emma became the first woman to ever compete at the X Games in rallycross.
“It was such an unbelievable experience to make the semis at the X Games. There was alot of carnage going on around me but basically I just kept it clean and made it through,” Emma says.
Her Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster Turbo rallycross car ran faultlessly all weekend in the mid 30degC temperatures at the impressive Circuit of Americas venue. “The facility itself was huge and although the track was tough, it was an amazing environment to race in,” Emma says.
She was forced to keep her wits about her with the heats repeatedly red flagged due to accidents stopping the racing. “The drivers were just desperately trying to be the first into the first corner and there was no room for more than two cars, which caused the bottleneck crashes,” Emma explains.
The eventual GRC winner was Scott Speed, who was also victorious in the opening round in Barbados last month.
Dunedin-based Emma was the best-placed Hyundai team member after her team mate Rhys Millen struck problems in the quarter finals. “I finished 12th of 19 drivers, which shows I’m improving and moving up the ranks,” Emma says.
She flies back to New Zealand tomorrow and will spend just over a week at home before leaving again for the third GRC round in Washington.
Emma Gilmour at the second Red Bull Global Rallycross round at the X Games in Austin, Texas this weekend. Photo Rob Lescaille
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