New Zealand female Rally driver Emma Gilmour is set to join fellow Kiwi Rhys Millen for a full 2014 Global RallyCross season programme.
Hyundai Motor America in conjunction with Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) has announced that the two racers from New Zealand will join forces for the 10 rounds of the 2014 Global RallyCross Championship (GRC) series. The male/female duo is set to drive the two well-known by RMR prepared Hyundai Veloster 4WD SuperCars, now updated to the latest specs. The cars were previously raced by Millen himself, Frenchman Stéphane Verdier, Belgian David Sterckx, Briton Marcus Dodd and Millen’s compatriot Robbie Maddison.
Two Kiwis join forces: Rhys Millen and Emma Gilmoure are ready for the 2014 Global RallyCross Championship. © Hyundai/ERC24
For Rally driver Emma Gilmour it should become the pinnacle of her already successful driving career. “It really is a dream come true. Going to America to race in a professional series with a professional team like Rhys Millen Racing is hard to believe. I have to keep pinching myself to remind myself it isn’t a dream. I am so excited about the opportunity and the new challenge of learning Rallycross. It’s a true privilege to be the first female driver in the GRC series. Also to be joining Australia’s Sarah Burgess [the lady Drifter is expected to race in a Chevrolet Sonic/Aveo RS SuperCar] in making history as the first female X Games Rally car drivers, racing against men, is a great honour,” Gilmour said.
During the entire 2012 GRC season one of the RMR Velosters was raced by Frenchman Stéphane Verdier. © QBA/ERC24
Gilmour feels she “couldn’t be more honoured” to be teamed-up with Rhys Millen, the in New Zealand born and US-based son of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) legend Rod Millen: “Rhys is one of the most sought after performance drivers, known worldwide for his legendary car control skills and combined with my years of successful Rally experience, we are a perfect fit for the RMR team effort,” the 34 years old Rally lady from Dunedin in New Zealand concluded.
Top photo: Millen and Gilmour will each use an almost 600bhp strong Hyundai Veloster SuperCar in GRC. © Hyundai/ERC24