Molly Taylor

As a decorated Australian Rally Champion, SAS Australia contestant and motorsport commentator, Molly Taylor lives life in the fast lane! We were extremely humbled for the opportunity to chat with Molly about her incredible achievements in Australian motorsport, and how she continuously pushes through new challenges with inspiring results!    

WHAT AGE DID YOU START RACING?   

I grew up around racing with my Mum as a professional rally co-driver and my Dad competed. It was something we were very involved with as a family and I thought it was cool, however I was obsessed with horse riding and equestrian in my childhood, with dreams of going to the Olympics to compete in equestrian when I was about 8-9 years old.   

At about 16 years old, I jumped into a rally car to do some driver training for basic road skills and defensive driving, but once I got out onto the dirt, I loved it! I started competing in local rally races, then sought out more competitions, and realised that I had a thirst for racing. I started becoming competitive after I had gained more experience behind the wheel.  

WHAT’S THE SCARIEST PART OF YOUR RACING CAREER?   

If you’re scared about going too fast or racing through a forest, racing isn’t for you! It’s obviously risky but the equipment is very safe and built for racing, so you need to trust your equipment, your team and your capability. So the fear is more about performing well and the cost of crashing can really change your season, so making mistakes can be costly in so many ways. I wouldn’t say it's scary as such, but it’s something that you definitely have to find a way to deal with so you don’t let fear impact your performance. 

Career Highlights

• 2021 Extreme E Champion 

• 2 x Dakar Rally finisher, 2021, 2022 

• 2017 Australian Rally Champion Runner Up

• 2016 Australian Rally Champion 

• 2015 Peter Brock Medallist & Australian Rally Champion Runner Up 

• 2014 Rally Finland 3rd Junior World Rally Championship 

• Pirelli Star Driver – WRC Academy

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?  

In a motorsport context, we have always worked extremely hard to win championships, so winning the Australian Rally Championship in 2016 and internationally, Extreme E in 2021 is a great achievement for our team. I also competed in Europe in the Junior World Championship and reached the podium at Rally Finland, so that has always been something that’s felt special to me. 

My partner Dan and I are also building our own workshop, called The MaD Garage (Molly and Dan), where we ran our rally program last year, work on car projects and run a YouTube channel, so we have some big ideas for the future!  

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU?

Loyal, chaotic and a little bit mad – I'll give anything a go!  

HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR SAS AUSTRALIA?

When I was originally notified that I had been selected, I had less than 1 week’s notice to start! But, when we went to start filming, it was the beginning of covid, so it was postponed during lockdown. I then had some time to prepare, so we made some DIY equipment in our apartment courtyard with monkey bars and equipment from a gym, and I also started pack marching around the house. The preparation definitely helped with some of the physical challenges, however having done the program, there were definitely other ways I could have been more prepared - but that’s hard to know until you are in the deep end!  

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR SAS AUSTRALIA?  

I learned how much you can actually push yourself, further than you ever thought possible, which is further than you typically push yourself in normal life or at the gym. I also liked the concept of the SAS challenge and that it was a level playing field - the enemy doesn’t care who you are. Everything was set up for someone to fail, so it really didn’t matter who you are or what your strengths were. It’s how you encounter the challenge and then figuring out a solution, especially when you’re working with other people and bringing something valuable to the team. Everyone is trying to survive, so I learned that you had to find your strengths and bring it to the team situation.   

This type of experience changes your perspective on everything and what you are capable of. Nothing was produced; it was all real - you can’t hide anywhere in that environment.  

I always respected the military and I have a huge amount of respect for the various challenges that are not always physical, and the high level of commitment that comes with maintaining that lifestyle and career. The Special Forces guys are an incredible example of what is possible for a human to do.  

HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS AND PRESSURE?  

There will always be expectations, especially the ones we put on ourselves. You want to perform and not let the team down. But you need to separate yourself from that and use that energy to focus on the process and do the best job you can in the situation you are in. There’s no point in pretending that the pressure and nerves aren't there, at least for me. I just put my head down and focus on what I need to in the moment, then I execute it. The SAS experience helped with this too. Whatever the situation is, you’ve just got to get the job done!   

WHO IS YOUR RACING IDOL OR MENTOR?   

My Mum, Coral Taylor, was a massive role model for me and changed my perception of women in motorsport and seeing other women winning world championship events.   

Neal Bates has always been a mentor for driving and coaching as my Mum was his co-driver many years ago. He is still a phone call away and happy to support me if I ever need assistance. Since 2023, Mum has been co-driving for Neal’s son Harry, and she took her 6th Australian title last year! Internationally, Sebastian Loeb, Michelle Mouton and Carlos Sainz have been drivers I’ve always looked up to. 

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO OTHER WOMEN IN MOTORSPORT?  

We do a lot of work with the Girls on Track program, so the first bit of advice is to give it a go. It can look daunting, but once you are in the sport, you notice that everyone is passionate, and no one really cares about gender. It’s a lot more welcoming and supportive than it might look from the outside. It’s not an easy sport, or as glamorous as it may sometimes look, but it’s an incredible challenge, buzz and sense of community. 

If you are good at what you do and you show passion, you are accepted. It really doesn’t matter who you are - there’s a lot of respect in our community.  

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY?   

There’s lots of favourite racing memories, but our most recent win at the Hydro X-Prix (round 4) event in Scotland was an incredible moment. When you come back into the team and that feeling of complete elation, it’s such a celebration! It’s a team sport and everyone is working hard to make it happen.   

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MOLLY?  

Our team is always working towards more driving opportunities and I’m working on some dreams for overseas competitions. For the Extreme E series, it will move to the world’s first hydrogen world series, Extreme H. The cars are still being developed, so it’s a project that I’m excited to be part of. I’m also focused on building The MaD Garage and seeing what we can achieve next – you can follow our adventures on Instagram and YouTube!   

Follow Molly at MaD Garage:

Interviewed by Deb Herring

Committee Member

The Top Ender Magazine

The Top Ender Tri-Services Magazine team wishes to sincerely thank Molly Taylor and the team at TLS Talent for their support with this feature interview.