FROM horse-riding to trail biking to car-racing - Emma Gilmour is constantly seeking that adrenaline rush.

The gutsy 29-year-old from New Zealand is the latest addition to Singapore-based Motor Image Racing Team (MIRT), formerly known as Motor Image Rally Team.

Gilmour is one to watch out for in this year's Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), as she will be the first female driver to compete in the series.

Said Gilmour: 'Having a female driver in the APRC is great for the media profile of the sport. But I am not here to make a statement about being a woman. I want to promote the sport and not just myself.'

Together with reigning champion Cody Crocker, Gilmour aims to win the manufacturers' title for MIRT.

MIRT has won the Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles for the past two years.

Said Gilmour: 'I do not try to beat Crocker, who has won the Drivers' Championship for the past three years.

'But it will be a good learning opportunity for me.'

And for her first leg in Rally Queensland, Australia, Gilmour will start her race in the MY09 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, which has just been assembled in Singapore. It sports a new hatch body.

Last week, Gilmour flew in to Singapore and test drove the new car over the weekend in Malaysia.

She said: 'The new car has a lot more balance. Overall, it is more stable on the roads.'

It was Gilmour's first trip to Malaysia, she revealed.

Although she had heard that it would be hot in Malaysia, she was not prepared for the humidity.

'I drank about five litres of water at the site every day. The circuit was greener than I imagined and I enjoyed seeing the wildlife, like the monkeys and squirrels in the plantation as I drove past,' she said.

'On the other hand, the roads in New Zealand are much smoother and I can go faster. In Malaysia, I have to keep reminding myself to slow down at the corners,' added Gilmour, who describes herself as an impatient and aggressive driver.

'Speed is in my blood and I have always grown up around cars. My grandfather and father are both mechanics and my sister is also a racecar driver,' she said.

After three years of co-driving for her sister, Gilmour finally got behind the wheel to do some serious rallying herself.

Her list of achievements would stun many.

In her first race in 2002, Gilmour claimed first place in the 4WD class and sixth overall from 98 entries in the Targa Bambina Rally in New Zealand.

First woman

Three years ago, she was invited to compete in the Bettega Memorial Trophy in Bologna, Italy, where she drove in a world rally car for the first time.

She was also the first woman to compete at Bettega in the event's history.

In 2006, she was awarded the Rally Founders Trophy, which recognises rally drivers' performances of distinction. The award is for those who demonstrate a sportsman-like attitude and are considered worthy ambassadors for the sport.

A typical New Zealander, the other sport that Gilmour follows faithfully is rugby.

And like most women, she too enjoys shopping.

She said: 'I love handbags, shoes and buying new clothes. But I don't get to wear the clothes that I buy because I always end up in the team's racing suit.'