Emma Gilmour just missed out on her quest to reach her first Global Rallycross Championship final at the Florida round at the weekend.
Racing at the Daytona International Speedway on a track nearly double the length of the average GRC circuit, Dunedin's Gilmour was fifth in the last-chance qualifier, one spot off the final.
It did not help her chances that the four drivers she was vying with were Joni Wiman, the Finnish protege of two-time world rally champion Marcus Gronholm, Norwegian Sverre Isachsen, and American stars Scott Speed and Ken Block.
''It was unfortunate that these guys hadn't qualified earlier as they are all round winners and podium placers from previous rounds, so it made for a tough LCQ,'' Gilmour said.
She had been making gains all weekend in her Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster Turbo, finishing heat one in third place.
With the car running well, Gilmour was feeling confident going into the semifinal and she had a good start but got caught up in two cars, which spun in front of her.
''I had to reverse and ended up last in the semifinal, which meant I was in the LQC.
"That's the nature of the beast though, sometimes you just need a bit of luck. The car speed was there. We just need to keep working on it.
''I am happy with the way I drove this weekend and enjoyed the racing. It's just a bit frustrating to have not made the final.''
Racing in the humid, hot conditions of about 34degC, Gilmour's team boss, Rhys Millen, claimed his first GRC win.
He is 12th in the championship standings, one place ahead of Gilmour, after six rounds.
There is now a month-long break before the double-header round in Los Angeles on September 20 and 21.
Gilmour will then race the following weekend in Seattle before the season's final round in Las Vegas in November.
