Thoroughly enjoying it was a pleasant surprise.
Lining up against some of the biggest names in the business at the GRC's first round at the Top Gear Festival Barbados, nerves could easily have dampened her enthusiasm. Instead, Gilmour was effervescent about her weekend.
''Wow. It was so cool. Finally racing with other cars was really enjoyable. It's an unbelievable series,'' she said.
''The car was amazing. In some ways it felt just like a video game lining up against the best in the rallycross game on the start line.''
Gilmour, the first woman to race in the testosterone-fuelled series, hit jumps, battled for corners with big-name drivers such as Ken Block and Tanner Foust, and charmed the 40,000 spectators.
After qualifying 12th, Gilmour did not make the final after competing in the last-chance qualifier after the heats, but said she still had plenty of support from the GRC fans.
''I did the jump pretty big and the crowd thinks its awesome having a lady amongst the boys,'' she said.
United States driver Scott Speed, who races for the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team, overcame a mechanical failure to win the event.
Gilmour's Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster Turbo rallycross car also had its fair share of teething problems over the testing, qualifying and heats.
Only recently built, its issues were rectified by her team, giving her a chance to stay out on the circuit.
''We kept improving each time we went out despite small mechanical issues and I will have a much better idea of what to expect next time,'' she said.
Gilmour returns to New Zealand this week determined to make it through to the final in the GRC's next round.
''I learnt heaps and kept improving throughout the weekend. Despite the racing being a big learning curve, I really enjoyed it.''
The next round is at the X Games in Austin, Texas, on June 7.
In the meantime, Gilmour will be back in her Suzuki Swift Maxi for the third round of the New Zealand Rally Championship at the Canterbury Rally on June 1-2.
