Taylor fighting hard in daunting Dakar

Australian Dakar Rally competitor Molly Taylor believes the 2023 event has been even tougher than her debut last year.

Taylor is currently competing her second Dakar Rally with South Racing Can-Am alongside co-driver Andrew Short sit 10th in the T4 Modified Production SSV class after the first eight stages.

Despite improving on her P14th result from her rookie year, Taylor said the 2023 route has already proven to be greater challenge.

“So far it has been a really tough Dakar,” she told AUTO ACTION.

“Having the experience of doing Dakar before is a massive help, but this one feels harder than I remember with slightly more challenging routes and conditions.

“Physically they have been really, really long days.”

While Taylor is in a solid position at the famous event, her journey to the first rest day of the Dakar Rally has not been without its dramas.

Some “gremlins” crept in as early as the Prologue before a broken drive shaft and flat tyre arrived on Stage 1.

Molly Taylor overcomes a sand dune at the 2023 Dakar Rally. Image: MCH Photography

Other “little issues” have also arrived throughout the rally, including a wild Stage 8 where she overcame brake dramas and a t-bone crash to finish sixth.

But by far the toughest experience arrived in Stage 3, which Taylor described as a “day to forget” losing around 90 minutes.

“Day 3 was a really disappointing day for us,” she said.

“We got three flat tyres and we only carry two spares, so we had to wait for an hour and a half for the truck. By then it was getting dark and the visibility was pretty bad, so we were just trying to nurse the car out of the stage.

“But that was pretty heartbreaking because it was nothing massive. One puncture I can recall when I hit a rut, but I am at a bit of a loss go how we got the other two. It was really rough terrain.

“That was the biggest disappointment, but we still have a good week ahead.” 

Despite these problems, Taylor has been able to keep her head down and stay well in the race for the top 10.

Having finished as high as sixth in stages 2 and 8, South Racing Can-Am knows its Aussie has the pace to compete.

Molly Taylor tries to escape from a tricky situation in the Saudi Arabia sand. Image: MCH Photography

Taylor also believes she can at least maintain her position in the top 10 where a competitive fight lies ahead with positions 5-10 covered by less than an hour. She said the key will be consistency.

“We are making good ground and getting into a rhythm,” she said.

“It is a case of getting into everything and making improvements.

“Even at the beginning before we had the drive shaft issue the pace was really good, so we know it is there. It is just about trying to keep the momentum building and putting it all together.

“We are confident and everyday we are getting better and better. We have another week to make it happen.”

The 2023 Dakar Rally resumes tonight with a 358km special from Riyadh to Haradh.

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