Interview: Molly Taylor

Australian rally driver, Molly Taylor, completed a successful season in 2013, driving for United Business in the European Rally Championship. Taylor's results saw her clinch the European Ladies Championship whilst gaining valuable experience with a professional motorsport team.  RallySport Mag recently spoke to Taylor, who is back home in Australia for the summer, about her plans for 2014 and beyond.

Congratulations on a great year in 2013 and winning the ERC Ladies' title. How much does that title mean to you, and your future career?

Thank you! It is a great feeling to finish the year achieving the goals we set out at the beginning of the season. From an exposure point of view the Ladies Championship is a valuable title to have under my belt. Although, personally, as a driver my main focus is and will always be for the outright position.

Do you think the ERC Ladies' competition has been well accepted, and could it work around the world?

The support and feedback has been very positive. The number of females is definitely growing and having a dedicated category has helped highlight what women are achieving and encourage more to get involved. Ultimately though there is no difference between men and women when it comes to competing so overall performances and results is the most important factor for developing as a driver. These initiatives are important because we need to continue to encourage more females to compete. After that we are out there to compete just like anyone else.

What are your rally plans for 2014? Will you be continuing your partnership with United Business?

I am still working very hard to make my goals for 2014 happen. We have an exciting opportunity to compete in the Junior World Rally Championship and I am really focused at the moment on achieving this. I still have to raise a significant amount of funding but I am getting closer and closer every day!

How difficult was it to move from the UK to Italy and deal with native Italian-speakers on a daily basis?

Not easy! But it was a fantastic, challenge and experience. My Italian still needs a lot of work but I really enjoyed learning a new language and experiencing a different culture. Sometimes the simple day-to-day tasks are more difficult, you don’t realise how much you take for granted when you know your surroundings and how everything works. Especially when you need to drop by the shops at 2pm and everything is closed for the afternoon siesta! It was great though, the team and everyone I worked with were extremely friendly and welcoming, it was as if I had my own little Italian family.

What do you think you gained most from being involved with United Business in 2013?

To be able to compete in eight rounds of the European Rally Championship was a fantastic opportunity for me as a driver and a full season like this wouldn’t have been possible without the backing of United Business. It was also a big learning experience for me working in that kind of environment. The level of exposure I received this year was much greater than I have ever had before. Their PR support really helped to raise my profile and all of this helps to create new opportunities moving forward.

What's the next step for you to take in rallying? Is it getting into the WRC, or do you feel you need to move up and get some outright results in other championships first?

I really think the next best step for me is the Junior WRC. I have experience in the Citroen DS3, I am the right age and I am ready. Until I am satisfied I am consistently giving the best performance I am capable of, then there is still room for me to develop before moving to an outright car.

What could be done in Australia to help more females into rallying?

That’s the million dollar question! Through my work with the FIA Women in Motor Sport Commission it has been fantastic to be a part of a motivated group of people from all over the world working on lots of projects to promote female participation in all forms of motorsport, servicing, marshalling, engineering etc. What has been really encouraging is the work that WAMS has been doing in Australia and from this perspective we are one of the most proactive national groups encouraging females. We need to lead by example, encouraging from a grass roots level whilst having higher profile females kicking goals at an international level so young girls can see what is possible.

How long will it be until we see Molly Taylor (or another female) in a full-time WRC drive?

If I had my way not very long! But the reality is that it’s extremely difficult for anyone, even with a large amount of funding behind them. So when the funding is tight, it’s very hard to get the experience and seat time to be able to compete successfully at that level. It’s only a matter of time. How long….we will see!!

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