Crash mars Gilmour’s Island X Prix debut

Dunedin rally driver Emma Gilmour crashed out of the first Sardinia round of the Extreme E series yesterday.

Gilmour, driving for McLaren, took a spill during the "Crazy Race", the frenetic shootout that determines the final place in the semifinals.

“The Crazy Race is always a tough ask and probably even more so on this track," Gilmour said.

"Four or five cars have got to go down into two chutes and I sadly bore the brunt of it at the start.

"Thankfully, I am OK, just a bit stiff and sore. As a team, we are a really strong unit and we will come back fighting.”

McLaren sporting director Mark Grain thought Gilmour had been in good shape at the start of the race.

“Emma made a great start, but she got moved over by one of our competitors and hit a big divot," Grain said.

"The car went up and over, and unfortunately the chassis has been written off.

"That means we have got a long night ahead of us, but we have got all day tomorrow and we are really going to push hard and do everything we can to be in the next race.”

American team Chip Ganassi Racing, better known for its IndyCar exploits, won its maiden Extreme E event at the first Island X Prix.

Rosberg X Racing was the on-road winner but was later penalised for a collision that resulted in Carlos Sainz sen retiring from the race.

Sainz, whose son celebrated his maiden Formula One victory at Silverstone on Monday, was taken to hospital to be assessed.

Gilmour and co-driver Tanner Foust can bounce back straight away, as the second Sardinia race is this weekend.