Molly Taylor is ready to unpack her full potential racing 2023 Dakar Rally for 2nd consecutive year. Making her debut entry in Dakar finishing P14, Molly sets target to improve overall standings knowing the extra mileage she has clocked up racing 2022 Rally du Maroc, and testing with the Team in US will prove valuable against highly competitive field in T4 category.
From carving her name in history as the first and only female to win Australian Rally Championship in 2016, to winning 2021 Extreme E with Rosberg Racing, Molly defies the odds on setting goals and achieving them, even if the racing discipline is outside her known comfort zone.
Not that any decision to race has been random occurrence of events. Far from it. Molly carefully deliberates where her strengths lie, what skills she wants to develop further, and which disciplines and events will advance her goals as professional driver in Motorsport.
Sure thing, Molly freely admits that switching race-mode from competing in traditional road rallies to full-blown 14 days of racing in Saudi Arabia’s desert sand was learning curve she took on board with committment, determination, and courage earlier this year.
Did she enjoy it? Heck yes! That is what Molly is like, full of enthusiasm for racing against unknown factors which she controls to the best of her ability, to achieve performances ready to be improved next time out.
As Molly explains what it was like racing Dakar for the first time: ‘The first year was certainly a jump in the deep end, but I learnt so much to take into this year. I think one of the most rewarding things about the Dakar is overcoming all the challenges you face during the race. Although the end result wasn’t what I had hoped for, the feeling of finishing my first Dakar despite the issues and also showing some strong pace were the most rewarding parts. There are so many elements of the Dakar, but just the sheer length of the stages, the terrain and backing it up day after day is pretty intense. But also the best fun!
Performance data collected from racing 2022 Rallye du Maroc confirms the upward trajectory of Molly’s performance behind the wheel of Can-Am factory South Racing Team’s vehicle, finishing P2 in both Stages 2 and 5 for P8 overall. With further testing in USA in last couple of weeks, along with racing final Round of 2022 Extreme E, Molly looks set to start 2023 Dakar on December 31.
Molly: ‘Yes, I have certainly had to adapt my driving quite a bit, and that’s one of my biggest focuses. The style is very different to the traditional rallying I’m used to and whilst there are a lot of skill crossovers, there’s a lot to adapt to. There’s nothing like having time behind the wheel, so it was great to do Morocco in the lead up to Dakar to get in the right zone, with both the driving and navigation elements. Overall, I think doing all these different categories helps me as a driver to improve, I am always learning and feel as though I am always improving.
Morocco was a great preparation and I have spent some time with my co-driver Andrew in the US ahead of the Dakar. Physically I train most days, so staying as consistent with that is important to me to arrive in the best condition both physically and mentally. To compete in the Dakar is an incredible opportunity, so embracing the challenge, working hard, keeping perspective and enjoying the wild ride is what we are here for :)’.
Dakar Rally December 31 – January 15. Header photo: Molly Taylor racing 2022 Rallye du Maroc.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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