"It has been a long process developing the Suzuki and probably longer than I expected it to be," said Gilmour. "We've had a shocker to the start of the season and there's no other way of describing it. It happens a lot and you just have to take a look at Hayden's [Paddon Kiwi WRC driver] season to see what I mean.
"There are so many variables at an event that all you need is one to catch you out and you pay a heavy price for it. It's just unfortunate really.
"We've worked hard to fix the damage from Whangarei and we've introduced a few improvements, so touch wood everything will be okay."
Gilmour's results look woeful, but for anyone with more than a passing interest in the sport an important part of performance judging is what happens on each stage. Gilmour and McLoughlin have proved time and again they can set the fastest stage times, so all they have to do now is string a rally together and a podium at least is on the cards.
"From the outside looking in you can only see the results and it's really frustrating because we know we haven't lost anything and the car is good - it's just bad luck.
"A lot of people just concentrate on the overall result but it is also about setting fast stage times. On Otago during day two we had some amazing speed. We know it's all there and our luck will just have to turn.
"This rally is quite long and it'll be a big day on Sunday. We rally all day and then we have two night stages. I'm glad they are at the end of the day and we should be okay as I've done a few night stages in the past and it doesn't faze me.
"The forecast is for it to be pretty mild and the road condition and layout will suit our car. If we have a good event we'll be back in contention and now that all the events count [points] and we stay out of trouble we should be okay," Gilmour said.
Returning to the site of her breakthrough rally win in 2016 will give Gilmour the confidence to know that if all goes well she'll be able to at least challenge the front runners, if not pick up her second victory at a national level. Fans know Gilmour is no slouch having at one time been ranked the No1 female rally driver in the world, finished second in the 2009 Asia Pacific Rally Championship and has been runner-up in the NZRC three times.
"Winning here last year is definitely one of my career highlights, that's for sure. We've been there or there about for a long time. It was rewarding to finally get the win and repay everyone's efforts - the sponsors and team.
"It's a bit of a shame though, as we've had a very average run since then. We know the car is good and we just need to make sure it all comes together again. It feels as if the pendulum swings quite widely at times and it is a trying sport.
"When you try and describe it [rallying] to people you explain that the highs are very high and the lows are crushingly low. When it all goes according to plan it really is an incredible feeling," she said.
You could throw a blanket over the top six drivers heading into the event with just 11 points separating them. Series leader Graham Featherstone has been the most consistent.
