The 2016 ARC champion will make her circuit debut with Victorian-based Kelly Racing as one of their four drivers and will be behind the wheel of the Subaru WRX STI during the inaugural season. 

Daughter of four-time ARC champion co-driver Coral Taylor, the 30-year-old made her name rallying overseas for five years before returning to Australian shores to claim the 2016 ARC championship – making her both the first female and youngest driver to achieve the feat. She continues to be a contender in this year’s ARC, where she will combine both TCR and ARC drives.

The confirmation comes after Taylor tested a Subaru WRX STI TCR car at the Cremona Circuit in Italy late last year and Taylor was eager to tackle the new challenge at hand.

 "This is an exciting opportunity for me and I'm extremely grateful to Kelly Racing for giving me the chance to make my circuit racing debut this year,” Taylor said.

“Rallying has always been my passion. I grew up around it and it continues to consume me everyday, but I’m always up for a new challenge. 

“TCR is something that I have been interested in, particularly when the Subaru WRX STI was introduced to the series.

“While I was in Europe late last year, I had the opportunity to drive one of the Subaru TCR cars and it was an awesome experience. I know I’ll have a lot to learn, switching my rally style to circuit racing, but having the support of the Kelly Racing team is going to be a huge advantage. The team is very experienced in touring car racing and I know they are going to get the best out of me. 

“I really can’t wait to get into the WRX again for the test and to be as prepared as I can for the first round at Sydney Motorsport Park.”

Despite Taylor’s busy schedule in the ARC allowing her to compete in only the first five rounds of the year, Kelly Racing owner Todd Kelly was excited to bring in a driver of Taylor’s status into the team.

“Kelly Racing is very excited to confirm that Molly will drive one of our Subarus in the TCR Australia Series,” Kelly said.

“You don’t win the Australian Rally Championship by accident. Molly is a serious motor sport talent and we are looking forward to transferring her rally speed into circuit racing speed.

“She has already tested one of the cars, so that is a huge bonus for us. It will give all of us a slight advantage as we head into our first test and the opening round in Sydney.” 

It’s going to be a busy couple of weeks for Taylor who will compete in the ARC’s second round, the Netier National Capital Rally, on 11 May before heading to Sydney Motorsport Park the following week for the Shannons Nationals, where TCR will make its Australian debut.

Broadcast live, free and in HD on SBS, the TCR Australia Series will kick off at Sydney Motorsport Park as part of the Shannons Nationals on 17-19 May. All sessions will be streamed live on thenationals.com.au.

Tickets to the historic round can be purchased here.