Molly Taylor set for NZ rally

International and local Aussie off-roader Molly Taylor is set for her New Zealand rally debut in Southern Lights Rally on June 21.

Setting off from Invercargill with 157km of special stages through the Southland region, Taylor will drive a Castrol-backed Subaru Impreza alongside co-driver Andy Sarandis, whom she returned to the ARC with at the back end of last season.

Taylor’s rally CV includes being the inaugural Extreme E Champion, 2016 ARC champion, a Dakar Rally regular, two-time British Ladies Rally Champion, and plenty of other accolades. Now she can add hitting the famous rally roads of NZ to her ever-expanding career.

“I’m really excited to be part of the crew and compete on some of the iconic New Zealand roads that everyone in rallying raves about,” Taylor said.

“It has been a dream to have it come together – from the timing to Castrol being able to support me getting there.”

The conditions will present a difficult challenge to both herself and Sarandis, and they’ll need to draw on every bit of experience to try and have a competitive outing.

“Andy and I are both looking forward to the challenge of the dark winter conditions while being in such an amazing location I’ve only ever heard about,” she added.

“It’s going to be a great experience driving on the open and fast roads, with long stages and also in the dark! I can’t wait.”

Along with her commitments in Europe ahead of the next round of the Extreme E series, which see’s her head to Scotland on July 13-14, her calendar also includes the Australian Rally Championship, where the pair currently lead the production category.

After NZ, the duo will be heading back to Australia to compete in the third round of the ARC championship at Rally Queensland. 

“It’s going to be a week of contrasts from the depths of southern New Zealand to the warmth of Queensland.

I’m very grateful to have these opportunities, from the time zone and climate differences of Europe, New Zealand, and then Queensland, it’s a pretty special way to live a life.”

Southern Lights Rally event information:

Following pre-event reconnaissance on Thursday and Friday, the pair’s journey begins at 4pm at the iconic Bill Richardson Transport World in Invercargill.

The undercover ceremonial start will see them head into the dark for the first special stage in the Pebbly Hills Forest region.

The competition resumes Saturday morning with a further nine special stages, including two service stops at the township of Winton.

The journey then heads west to Tuatapere before returning to Invercargill for the event’s final stage at the Teretonga race circuit. This stage, a combination of gravel and tarmac, will bring them to the track-side ceremonial finish at 5pm.

Daylight hours for the weekend – the shortest of the year – are from 8:31am to 5:05pm.

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