Molly Taylor is the first and only woman to win the Australian Rally Championship, claiming the title in 2016—and she was also the youngest person ever to do it.

EARLY YEARS

Born on May 6, 1988, in Sydney, New South Wales, Molly Anne Taylor was practically born with motor oil in her veins. Her mother, Coral Taylor, is a six-time Australian rally champion co-driver, and her grandfather, Norm Fritter, was a veteran rally driver. Her father, Mark Taylor, also competed in the Australian Championship. Rallying royalty? Try rallying dynasty.

But here’s the twist: Molly’s childhood dream wasn’t to slide sideways through dirt at terrifying speeds. She wanted to represent Australia in equestrian at the Olympics. She spent seven years competing in eventing around the country and boarded at New England Girls’ School (NEGS) in Armidale, Northern NSW. After finishing school with a Universities Admissions Index score of 98 out of 100, she started a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. Then she got her driver’s license—and everything changed.

At 18, Molly started competing in local motorkhanas, and the adrenaline hit differently than anything she’d experienced on horseback. She left university to chase a high-octane career, and a legend was born.

OTHER INTERESTS

Before motorsport took over her life, horses were Molly’s world. Seven years of eventing taught her discipline, grit, and how to handle unpredictable situations—skills that would prove invaluable when she swapped reins for a steering wheel. She’s also shown she’s not afraid of extreme challenges outside the car: in 2020, she appeared on Seven Network’s reality show SAS Australia, where her toughness and determination made her a fan favorite.

EARLY SUCCESS

Molly’s first major rally was a statement. She finished ninth outright and first in class, proving she wasn’t just there to make up the numbers. By the time she was in her early twenties, she’d already earned a spot in the prestigious Pirelli Star Driver World Rally Championship program, becoming the first female driver to achieve a podium finish in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2014.

Her career gained serious momentum when she returned to Australia to compete full-time in the Australian Rally Championship. Driving a Subaru WRX STI NR4 prepared by Tasmania-based Les Walkden Rallying, with co-driver Bill Hayes by her side, Molly claimed victory after victory. At the 2016 Kennards Hire Rally Australia, she sealed the deal, becoming the first woman—and the youngest person—to win the Australian Rally Championship. She also won WA’s Forest Rally in 2017 with Hayes, cementing her reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2014: First female driver to achieve a podium finish in the Junior World Rally Championship[1].
• 2016: Won the Australian Rally Championship, becoming the first and only woman—and the youngest person—to claim the title[2].
• 2017: Won WA’s Forest Rally with co-driver Bill Hayes[3].
• 2019: Competed in TCR Australia, entering 16 races and achieving 2 podium finishes[4].
• 2021: Won the inaugural Extreme E World Championship with teammate Johan Kristoffersson for Rosberg X Racing, winning three of five events[5].
• 2022: Became the first Australian woman to compete in the legendary Dakar Rally[6].
• 2023: Competed in the Dakar Rally for a second time[7].
• 2024: Led the Extreme E Championship with teammate Kevin Hansen for Veloce Racing before the season was abandoned after four of ten races[8].
• 2025: Won the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup with Kevin Hansen for Jameel Motorsport (formerly Veloce Racing)[9].
• 2025: First female confirmed for the Race of Champions[10].

INSPIRATIONS

Molly’s parents shaped her in different ways. Her mother, Coral, showed her the technical side of rallying and what it takes to succeed as a woman in a male-dominated sport. Her grandfather, Norm Fritter, inspired her love for the thrill of competition. But beyond family, Molly found a role model in Johan Kristoffersson, the four-time World Rallycross champion who became her teammate at Rosberg X Racing. Racing alongside someone she admired pushed her to elevate her game even further.

Molly has also been clear about her belief that the choices we make in the present matter more than the habits of our past—a mindset that’s driven her fearless approach to racing and life.

REPUTATION

Molly Taylor is known for loving what she calls the “controlled chaos” of rally driving. She’s built a reputation as someone who thrives under pressure, whether she’s navigating treacherous terrain at the Dakar Rally or battling it out wheel-to-wheel in electric SUVs at Extreme E. Her grit, precision, and calm demeanor in high-stress situations have earned her respect from competitors and fans alike.

She’s also a sought-after ambassador and speaker, having worked with brands like Subaru, Rexona, and E.ON Energy. She sits on the FIA Rally Commission and has been an ambassador for the Australian Motor Sport Foundation’s Rising Star program. In a sport still dominated by men, Molly has become a trailblazer, proving that women belong at the front of the pack—not as exceptions, but as champions.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

After winning the 2025 FIA Extreme H World Cup with Kevin Hansen, Molly continues to race for Veloce Racing (now Jameel Motorsport) across a variety of disciplines. She’s also confirmed to compete in the 2025 Race of Champions, making her the first female driver in the event. With her track record of breaking barriers and winning championships, it’s safe to say Molly isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

REFERENCES

Molly Taylor – Wikipedia
Molly Taylor – Celebrity Speakers
The meteoric rise of rally driver Molly Taylor – Inside Sport
About – Molly Taylor
Molly Taylor | Racing career profile – Driver Database
Coral Taylor – Wikipedia
Badass Women of Automotive: Molly Taylor – Motorhead Mama
Molly Taylor Speaker Agent | Hire Rally Driver
Molly Taylor Loves the Controlled Chaos of Rally Driving – Kumho Tyre
FRIDAY FLASHBACK: Molly Taylor – headed for stardom?
Interview with Molly Taylor – BRP World
2021 Extreme E Championship – Wikipedia
Extreme E and Australian Rally Champion Molly Taylor first female confirmed for 2025 Race of Champion
Defending Extreme E champion Taylor splits with Rosberg team
Molly Taylor: Drive from within – The 1v1 Project
2024 Extreme E Championship – Wikipedia
Molly Taylor – Inspire Speakers
New England Girls’ School – Wikipedia
Drive Like a Girl: Molly Taylor’s story so far – Motorsport Australia
Taylor and Hansen win FIA Extreme H World Cup
2025 FIA Extreme H World Cup – Wikipedia
The defending champion harnessing a “calming feeling” in Extreme E
How Extreme E is leading motorsport out of 1950 for good – DirtFish
Molly Taylor – Bespoke Speakers
Molly Taylor makes history with Subaru in Australia
Molly Taylor driving home gender equality | The West Australian