The Kincrome SXS Motorsport Australia Championship begins the 2021 season this weekend with 16 crews entered in the seven-round season opener in Rainbow.
While Simon Evans and Cody Crocker are two of the biggest drawcards on the entry list, the late inclusion of Molly Taylor adds some spice to a star studded field.
Having made a name for herself in rally, claiming the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship title in 2016, Taylor has recently dabbled in a variety of disciplines with the off road chapter taking place this year.
And while this weekend’s event won’t be the first time she gets behind the wheel of a SXS car, Taylor was looking forward to making her official debut in the championship as she looks to prepare for another major project, the international FIA Extreme E Series.
“I am a little nervous for the event but I'm really excited for it,” Taylor said.
“I did a couple of races when it first started back in 2015 and it was at motocross tracks, but I think the cars and the championship have come a long way since then.
“I have managed to get some seat time in Simon Evans’ old buggy, which is what I will be racing this year, but off road is very different to rally. It’s about understanding the different elements and what the car can go through and what it can’t.
“Any seat time is good and with the Extreme E season starting soon, doing the SXS Championship with the help of InsulShop and Simon Evans will be a great experience.”
While Taylor will be one of the more inexperienced competitors in the field, she won’t be at a huge disadvantage as the championship enters a new era this weekend.
The 16 crews will undergo more of an off road endurance style format, as they battle it out over two 100km races with the outright round winner to be decided by who clocks up the most kilometres across both races.
Despite the round being on Saturday, the event’s festivities will start on Friday night with a street party in the town centre taking place between 5pm and 7pm AEDT.
On Saturday morning, the action gets underway from 10am and spectators will have free access to where they will watch non-stop racing for eight hours.
The first round of the 2021 Kincrome SXS Motorsport Australia Championship takes place at Rainbow on 13 March.