Top Kiwi rally driver Emma Gilmour is competing in the Cambrian Rally in Wales later this month and will reunite with old friend Claire Mole.
Cole was Gilmour’s co-driver in the Finnish and British rounds of the World Rally Championship in 2006.
In 2008, the pair finished 16th in the WRC Rally of New Zealand. A year later, they were second in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship.
“We haven’t been in the car together since 2013 when we did the International Rally of Whangarei in my Suzuki Swift AP4, which was pretty early on in its development back then,” Gilmour said.
Gilmour and Cole are driving a Ford Fiesta R5 MkII in the Cambrian Rally, set in the challenging forests of North Wales.
“It’s the best class of car out there that’s accessible at a world level. Obviously, it’s not a WRC car but it’s the next best thing.”
Gilmour last raced in Wales 15 years ago in the WRC Rally GB, again with Mole in the co-drivers seat.
The opportunity to enter the rally came about from a dilemma several top New Zealand athletes are suffering.
“I’m a bit stuck because I can’t get a MIQ spot to come home to New Zealand after the Sardinia round of Extreme E on October 23 and 24.
“I’ve been staying with Claire in Scotland and after reminiscing about our past rallying escapades, we decided to grab the opportunity to do it again.”
Rally organiser Alyn Edwards says it is “very exciting” to have an all-female team capable of challenging for the overall win.
The Cambrian Rally is a one-day event on October 30.