After a dominant performance at the Rally of Canterbury, where she led from start to finish, Gilmour joins only a handful of women worldwide who have won national rallies.
She is also the first Otago driver to claim a NZRC victory.
At the end of the national championship's third round in the Ashley and Okuku forests yesterday, she had a convincing 1min:15sec winning margin over second-placed Auckland driver Andrew Hawkeswood.
Gilmour and her Australian co-driver Anthony McLoughlin either won or were runners-up in eight out of the nine stages and bought her Vantage Windows and Doors Suzuki Swift Maxi charging home, winning the final power stage.
"I'm really happy; it's so exciting to actually be standing on the top step of the podium.
"So many people have put in so much effort over the years and this is the perfect way to repay them. I am also honoured to be the first female to win a NZRC round and it just goes to show girls really can do anything!''
Her top result has moved her up to second in the NZRC - six points behind Mount Maunganui's David Holder - with two rounds left this season.
