INTERVIEW: Molly Taylor 2008

After a brilliant start to her rally career, things haven't quite gone to plan for talented young driver, Molly Taylor.

We recently caught up with Molly to find out what hurdles she has had to face this year, and what lies ahead for one of the sport's young guns.

RSM: It’s been a while since you last competed in a rally so you must be really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel in Canberra?

MT: I can’t wait! I haven’t been in the car since Rally of Melbourne last year so I have been waiting for this for a long time.

After leasing one of Neal Bates’ Corolla’s for December’s Rally des Femmes, you must have really been hoping to put together the funding to run the car in the 2008 ARC season.  When did you realize the dream wasn’t going to eventuate this year?

I was optimistic probably until the entries for the Forest Rally closed, which was when I had to accept the facts. I still have the lease deal with Neal and am hopeful of doing some smaller rallies towards the end of the year, but for sure the dream has been ‘postponed’…. until I find a sponsor.

Has not being able to put together a deal been hard to take or does it just make you want to work harder to make it happen in the future?

Both. It’s been a real reality check and definitely disappointing coming off a fantastic season in 2007. On the other hand, it has made me far more determined to make it happen despite all this – it takes up most of my thoughts, most days!

You had such a successful year in your rookie ARC season, how did you see your development over the year?   Were you a better driver at the end of the season than you were at the start, or was it more about being smarter and more confident behind the wheel?

I progressed a great huge deal last year. I really haven’t had that much time behind the wheel so every time I drive I learn more and become a better driver. I think a lot of that is also down to confidence, which comes from more and more time in the car, but learning the skill is a huge part of it too and there is still a lot more to learn, especially when getting into a 4WD.

You’re taking the Mirage out for a run in Rally of Canberra.  What are your expectations for the event?

The number one thing for me is to get behind the wheel again. It won’t be far off six6 months since I last drove competitively so I am just anxious to get some more miles under my belt. It will be exciting to have Guy Wilks there competing also, but realistically I won’t be worrying too much about my times against his!!

What other rallies are on the agenda for you in 2008?

Whatever I can afford! Obviously I would love to compete in the rest of the ARC but the most important thing is getting as many kilometreskms in as I can. I have three jobs now so whatever the collective wages add up to, will be the events I do. I am actively seeking sponsorship and currently talking to some people about sponsoring individual rounds, so hopefully we can put something together there.

You’re still only very young (19) and have proved you have the talent to be an excellent driver, but in the past the sport has tended to lose a number of young, talented drivers. How do you think we can encourage (and keep) other young drivers in the sport long term?

It’s the million dollar question. We all know how expensive it is to compete and at the end of the day no matter how talented you are, you need to have money and/or sponsors. It’s a big subject and there isn’t enough space here, but in broad terms, the sport needs the coverage it absolutely deserves, which will in turn attract more sponsors/manufacturers. I think there is also an opportunity to create youth programs which directly link to driver training and road safety….. I could go on for hours!!

Pirelli have recently announced their ‘Search for a Star’ competition.  This would be a great stepping stone for a young Aussie driver to get a foot in the WRC door, and potentially become the next Chris Atkinson.   Is this something you would like to pursue?

It’s a fantastic concept and opportunity and something I wish to pursue. Obviously finding an eligible car is the first step. It’sIts not often a series comes along offering what this offers, so it’s definitely in my sights.

Earlier this year, ARCom, the sport’s governing body, appointed a number of new advisers to the Board, of which you were one. How are you enjoying your role as an ARCom adviser and what does it entail?

I’m enjoying it., I have grown up with the sport and it’s my passion, so having the opportunity to help with its growth is something I am very interested in. We have had a number of meetings and from them I have some individual areas which I am looking at, to further improve, along with other members.

Even though you haven’t competed for nearly six months, no doubt you have still been maintaining your fitness levels and trying to keep yourself mentally fit? How much training would you do in a ‘normal’ week?

For sure, I have found it’s the only preparation I can do at the moment because it costs nothing to go for a run! I try to fit in as much as I can which involves a lot of running and I am in the gym most days. I enjoy going for a bike ride also. I have just done a Personal Training course and one of my jobs is working at a gym, so it works out quite well for that.

I think it can be difficult to stay mentally fit given I am not doing what I love, but I have pictures everywhere of rallying and what I want to achieve to keep me focused!

With only three weeks to go until Canberra, what testing and preparation have you got lined up?

At this stage it looks like we will only be able to do the testing in the week of the rally, which isn’t ideal, but ultimately you just have to do whatever you have to do! The main thing is to get everything in place so we will be able to get there. 

And your goals for the rest of 2008, and 2009?

My first goal for this year is to keep developing my driving; there is so much I still have to learn. Sponsorship strategies are foremost in my mind, it’s a critical hurdle for my future driving career, so I’ll leave no stone unturned! There are a few options I would like to pursue in 2009, but each is about getting experience in different conditions, cars and countries. I’ll keep you posted!

Photos courtesy Hubble Photographix, Ryan Lahiff and Team Taylor.

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