It can take a huge amount of courage to follow your instincts and do what you think is right.
Emma Gilmour's path from Dunedin equestrian hopeful to McLaren Racing’s first female factory driver is a story defined by determination, adaptability, and relentless resilience. Originally focused on competitive equestrian sport, she stepped away from riding in 2000 and turned her attention to motorsport, a passion first sparked by time spent in her father’s mechanic workshop and early rides on the back of his motorbike.
Her competitive instincts transferred quickly. In her debut rally event, with her father co-driving, she won her class and finished sixth overall in a field of 100. The result cemented her commitment to the sport and began a career marked by consistent, ground-breaking achievements. In 2006, Emma won a scholarship to compete in Europe, launching her international career. She went on to become the first woman to achieve a top-three finish in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, reach the X Games Global Rallycross semi-finals in America, and win the FIA Women in Motorsport Cross Country Selection in Qatar.
In 2022, Emma reached a historic milestone when McLaren Racing named her their first-ever female factory driver, representing the team in its inaugural Extreme E season. The announcement, made during the COP26 United Nations Climate Conference, highlighted both her driving credentials and her alignment with the sport’s shift towards sustainability.
Away from the rally stages, Emma is a respected business owner and leader. She has operated Gilmour Motors Suzuki in Dunedin for more than a decade and has since expanded the dealership with the JAC brand. Her business success has been earned the hard way, navigating a challenging ownership separation, carrying the financial burden that came with it, and steering the dealership through its rebuild while maintaining her motorsport career. She has also overcome the physical and psychological impact of serious motorsport accidents, demonstrating the same resilience in recovery that she shows in competition.
Today, Emma balances her racing commitments with business leadership and an emerging speaking career. She shares insights on resilience, high-performance decision-making, preparation under pressure, and leading through uncertainty, drawing on experiences forged across global motorsport and business ownership.
Emma stands as a role model for women in motorsport and a powerful example of perseverance for any audience. Her story underscores that achievement is rarely linear; it is built on grit, adaptability, and unwavering self-belief.
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Celebrity Speakers Showcase 2025
Get behind the wheel with rally driver Emma Gilmour as she shares powerful insights into life as a high performer in motorsport. In this highlight reel, Emma talks about: The adrenaline of rally driving and trusting her co-driver’s calls How she rewires her mindset from anxiety to focus in high-pressure moments The story of how a surprise email led her to join the McLaren Extreme E team Lessons in handling mistakes, staying forward-focused, and managing that all-important inner voice Whether you’re a motorsport fan or someone chasing big goals, Emma’s stories and strategies offer practical takeaways for pushing through challenges and performing at your best. Watch now and get inspired to keep your eyes on the next corner — both on the road and in life.
