Motorsport: Gilmour to pull stops out

Emma Gilmour is aiming to become the first woman to win the national motor rally championship. Photo / Ron Burgin

The formula for national motor rally championship contender Emma Gilmour is simple - she has to pull out the stops at this week's final round in the Wairarapa if she is to harbour any hopes of becoming the first woman to win the title.

Current series leader Dean Sumner has a healthy 29-point advantage over Gilmour and can afford to drive tactically.

"With Dean having a 29-point advantage over us it's a bit of a long shot to take the title," Gilmour said.

"The best way we have of putting pressure on him is by scoring the maximum points possible.

"That means winning Saturday's opening leg of the rally for starters, and then following up with another win on Sunday's second leg."

Gilmour had wanted to pile the pressure on at last month's penultimate round in Nelson but was thwarted by the effects of a severe cold and an engine problem with her car which forced her to settle for third placing.

"As it turned out, the engine problem in Nelson was even more serious than we thought; basically, the crankshaft was about to go, and we were probably lucky just to make the finish," Gilmour said.

Strong challenges are also expected on his home ground from former national champion Richard Mason, who finished second at Nelson last month.

Another ex-national champion Chris West has been on the pace this season, and will be out to make an impression on the final round of the series.

The Wairarapa rally comprises 14 special stages totalling 230 kilometres. Saturday's route opens with two all-new stages east of Carterton and Masterton before heading north to Eketahuna.

Sunday's stages are based around Eketahuna, and have all been used in previous years.

Leading championship standings ahead of this weekend's final round: Dean Sumner 264 points, Ema Gilmour 235, Chris West 179, Hayden Paddon 168; Richard Mason 152.

- NZPA