Emma Gilmour headed off reigning national champion Richard Mason, of Masterton, to win New Zealand's most prestigious rallying award, the Rally Founders Trophy, on Saturday night.
Gilmore, currently third in the championship behind co-leaders Mason and Chris West, said she was "stunned, delighted and honoured".
The Rally Founders Trophy is awarded annually
to the rally driver who not only performs with distinction, but who also demonstrates a sportsmanlike attitude and is a worthy ambassador for the sport. Gilmour, Mason and Kiwi 2 champion Dave Strong were the finalists for the trophy, which was awarded on Saturday night at the national motor sport awards dinner in Auckland.
Motorsport New Zealand President Steven Kennedy described her as an "outstanding young driver who competes tenaciously and fearlessly in a predominantly male sport."
"I feel really hugely honoured, especially to win the trophy so early in my driving career," said Gilmour. "Among the past winners are many of the great names of Kiwi rallying, including Possum Bourne, who won it four times in his life. Possum was, and is, someone we all look up to, and to have my name on the same trophy as him makes me feel quite humble."
Gilmour says the award gives her an extra boost as she prepares to compete in her Vantage Team Subaru Impreza WRX STI on the Rotorua International Rally at the end of the month.
