Veloce Racing’s reserve driver Gilmour steps up to the plate for Arctic X Prix
Veloce Racing has announced that Emma Gilmour will step up from her role as the team’s female reserve driver to fill the boots of Jamie Chadwick in the upcoming Arctic X Prix – the third event on Extreme E’s inaugural 2021 calendar.
The New Zealander boasts an impressive résumé having competed in several WRC events, finished runner-up in the New Zealand Rally Championship three times in succession and made an appearance in the 2014 X Games semi-final.
Gilmour will now stand in for Jamie Chadwick at Extreme E’s Kangerlussuaq, Greenland event due to a clash with the Belgian W Series race at Spa-Francorchamps. The reigning champion has opted to race in the all-female series to keep hopes of retaining her 2019 title alive.
The pairing of Stéphane Sarrazin and Chadwick proved a potent one at the Senegal race in May, as the duo drove strategically throughout the event, taking minimal risks and building speed as the weekend progressed.
While others fell by the wayside suffering mechanical failures and getting tangled up in incidents, Veloce Racing weathered the storm securing a maiden podium and a second-place finish as a well-earned reward.
Despite her lack of seat time in Extreme E, Gilmour’s wealth of experience combined with Sarrazin’s knowledge of the series so far, will ensure this renewed partnership and the Veloce Racing Squad are as competitive as ever in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.
Emma Gilmour, Driver, Veloce Racing commented:
“I’m so excited to get started. Obviously, I have been involved with Veloce Racing in my role as Reserve Driver so far this season but now to be able to get behind the wheel and go racing is going to be incredible.
“The key is to expect the unexpected. Extreme E has proven in its first two races that anything can – and probably will – happen so I’m going to try and prepare for every eventuality.
“Stéphane [Sarrazin] and Jamie [Chadwick] made an incredible comeback in Senegal after a tough opening round, I’m hoping we can keep that ball rolling into Greenland and secure more big points for the team.
“I’m under no illusions though. This is a tough series with some of the world’s best drivers on the grid. It’s going to be the biggest test of my skills to-date and to do it against such a spectacular backdrop is going to make it even more special.”
Daniel Bailey, CEO, Veloce Racing commented:
“We’re delighted to be able to give Emma [Gilmour] this opportunity to race with us in Greenland. Of course, we were impressed with her abilities from the outset so we signed up as reserve driver for this kind of scenario.
“Her experience speaks for itself. She’s had a hugely successful career both globally and in New Zealand so I don’t think she’ll have any trouble getting up to speed with this new and innovative series.
“Obviously Jamie will be competing in Belgium as well so it’s going to be a very busy weekend for the team and our biggest test yet, but we’re up for the challenge!
“Stéphane and Jamie did an amazing job last time out so we want to build on that result and continue to push forward this season – Emma is the perfect person to help us do that.”
About Veloce
Veloce is a London-based organisation that focuses on disruptive areas of the sports and entertainment industries – specifically, esports, motorsport and sustainable, EV motorsport. The brand comprises established professional gaming organisation, Veloce Esports, Extreme E outfit, Veloce Racing and W Series team, Veloce Racing W Series, with all three falling under the overarching Veloce umbrella. As a whole, the business occupies the fastest-growing sectors in motorsport.
Veloce Racing was born from Extreme E’s vision of sustainability-focussed, content-rich and gender-equal sport. The team’s remarkable leadership line-up is spearheaded by legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey and Formula E Champion and ex-Formula 1 driver Jean-Éric Vergne. They are joined by a host of other industry entrepreneurs and innovators who are eagerly awaiting the start of the inaugural 2021 season. Extreme E is an innovative new motorsport championship that sees electric SUVs going head-to-head in areas of the world that have been damaged by climate change or environmental issues.
Veloce Esports is the world’s leading esports and racing growth platform focused on innovation within the gaming, sport, media and entertainment sectors; comprising high-profile drivers, influencers and teams from across the globe. Among them are the official Mercedes F1, McLaren Racing, Alfa Romeo, Sauber and YAS HEAT esports programmes as well as YouTube sensations Tiametmarduk, Aarava, Xpertgamingtech and Lando Norris’ Quadrant channel to name but a few. The organisation’s digital broadcast network, across its various channels, generates in excess of 230 million views per month.
To learn more, please visit: veloce.gg
Sources: Izzy Hall/Veloce Racing PR