Taylor reflects on “incredible adventure”
Molly Taylor has returned home after successfully completing her second Dakar Rally with a new PB, but was left wanting more.
The Australian fronted up for South Racing Can-Am in her second successive campaign in the taxing drive through the Saudi Arabian desert after her Dakar debut in 2022.
Taylor recorded a solid P14 in her first attempt, but improved two places to finish 12th in the T4 Modified Production SSV class this year after an up and down journey through the gruelling event, which proved more tougher than last year.
Despite the improvement, Taylor and American co-driver Andrew Short were left wondering what could have been having targeted a top 10 finish and looked on track to achieve the objective before it slipped away in the closing stages.
Molly Taylor soars through the Saudi Arabian desert. Image: MCH Photography
After dropping down to 12th having been as high as eighth, Taylor said she had mixed emotions about her second Dakar tilt.
“For our Dakar it is a bit bittersweet,” she said.
“Just disappointed to not come away with the result we were really aiming and working hard for and capable of.
“So that (P12) was not where we wanted to be, but so many things happen that are out of your control at this event.
“It was a case of trying to overcome things and keep putting our best foot forward and we did have some really great days where we could show the pace we do have.
“There are a lot of encouraging things to take away, but would have loved to have brought it home in a better result.”
Taylor was able to extract pace from her Can-Am, scoring sixth in three separate stages. But notorious Dakar issues such as flat tyres, broken front drive shafts and CBT belts, failing brakes, delays and general wear and tear held her back.
Molly Taylor and Andrew Short try to push their Can-Am out of the sand. Image: MCH Photography
The 34-year-old said they are all things that make Dakar such a rewarding physical and mental challenge to complete and wants to give it another shot in 2024.
“Overall Dakar is the most incredible adventure, you go into another world for two weeks,” she said.
“In the Dakar bubble you just get up and drive for 10 to 13 hours a day across all of these amazing landscapes, so it is a pretty incredible experience to do.
“That is one of the things why you keep coming back for more because to try and put it together for that long in all the different terrains is a big thing.
“We learnt heaps and having Andrew co-drive with me was amazing, he is so experienced and is just a great person to be around. Especially on the tough days to be focused on what was ahead, which enabled us to put our best foot forward.
“We had a great time, but some very tough days unfortunately derailed the result, but that will just make us hungrier to give it another crack.”
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