Madelyn Tabor

Madelyn Tabor is a rising American rally driver who grew up building race cars in her family’s garage and now competes at the national level in the American Rally Association, recently selected as one of 15 finalists for the FIA World Rally Championship’s groundbreaking Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme.

EARLY YEARS

Rally racing wasn’t something Madelyn stumbled into—it was practically her birthright. Her father, Mark Tabor, had been competing in regional rally championships for years, and it was actually her grandparents, Janice and Bruce Tabor, who first suggested the family try rally racing after remembering the fun they’d had with it themselves. By the time Madelyn was old enough to understand what a wrench was for, the Tabor family had already built seven rally cars by hand in their garage. Her brother Henry races too, making the Tabors a full-on rally dynasty out of Oregon.

Growing up in this environment, Madelyn’s path felt inevitable—her own words. While other kids were learning to parallel park, she was learning stage notes and weight distribution. She made her rallying debut at 18 years old, stepping into a Subaru Impreza RS and never looking back.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Madelyn’s interests outside of motorsport is limited in available sources, though like many rally drivers, her life appears to revolve heavily around the sport itself—building, testing, and competing.

EARLY SUCCESS

Madelyn began competing in the American Rally Association’s NA4WD class, piloting her Subaru Impreza RS with various co-drivers. Her early years were about learning the craft, absorbing everything she could from her family’s deep well of rally knowledge, and proving she wasn’t just “Mark Tabor’s daughter”—she was a competitor in her own right.

The transition came when she moved up to a Ford Fiesta Rally3 with Element Rallysport. That’s when people really started paying attention. At 22 years old, she committed to a full-time national campaign in the American Rally Association, starting with the 2025 Sno*Drift Rally. She was no longer the kid with potential—she was a legitimate threat on stage.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2024: Class win at Southern Ohio Forest Rally, finishing third overall in her Ford Fiesta Rally3 with co-driver Krista Skucas.
• 2024: Selected as one of 15 finalists for the FIA World Rally Championship’s Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme, attending training camp at M-Sport Poland in October.
• 2024: Competed for second place in the combined L4WD and NA4WD points championship (LN4 class) with co-driver Sophia McKee heading into the Lake Superior Performance Rally season finale.
• 2025: Launched full-time Rally3 campaign with Element Rallysport in the American Rally Association National Championship.

INSPIRATIONS

Her father Mark is the obvious influence—not just as a competitor himself, but as a builder, mentor, and the guy who made sure she understood that rally isn’t just about speed, it’s about preparation, problem-solving, and grit. The entire Tabor family operates as a unit, supporting each other’s racing endeavors and creating an environment where competition and collaboration coexist. That family dynamic shaped Madelyn’s approach to the sport: disciplined, hands-on, and deeply rooted in respect for the craft.

REPUTATION

Madelyn has a reputation for being fast, composed, and increasingly dangerous as she gains experience. Her selection for the Beyond Rally programme wasn’t a fluke—it was recognition that she’s one of the most promising female rally talents in North America. She’s known for making smart decisions under pressure and for her ability to adapt quickly to new cars and conditions. By late 2024, her father Mark acknowledged what everyone else was seeing: his 23-year-old daughter had become the fastest driver in the family.

Co-drivers appreciate her communication style, and teams respect her technical knowledge—a product of all those years building cars in the garage. She’s not just a driver; she understands what’s happening under the hood and in the suspension, which makes her feedback invaluable.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

The 2025 season is pivotal. Madelyn is running a full American Rally Association National campaign in her Ford Fiesta Rally3, competing with co-driver Sophia McKee for championship points. But her eyes are on a bigger prize: the Beyond Rally programme could open doors to Central European Rally or even the Junior WRC series in 2025 and beyond. Whether she becomes the American to break through to the world stage remains to be seen, but she’s got the talent, the backing, and the work ethic to make it happen. The email that brought her into the WRC’s development program could genuinely transform her career—and she knows it.

REFERENCES

American talent Tabor makes full-time Rally3 switch – DirtFish
The e-mail that could transform a young American’s career – DirtFish
On the Kerbs with Madelyn Tabor – “It was Inevitable” – Paddock Sorority
Introducing the FIA World Rally Championship’s Female Driver Development Finalists
Ready, set, rally! – West Linn Tidings
Race Against Time – FLUX
Booth Earns First Overall National Victory at Southern Ohio Forest Rally – ARA
Tabor eager to make the most of Beyond Rally opportunity – WRC.com
73-Car Field Packs ARA Season Finale: Lake Superior Performance Rally – ARA
Stage rally racers roll into St. Helens for Mike Nagle RallySprint – Columbia County Spotlight
Tabor Madelyn – eWRC-results.com