Courtesy of RallyBuzz.com

Twenty-two year old Sydneysider, Molly Taylor, has won a place in the prestigious World Rally Championship Rally Academy for next year which includes a fully-funded drive in six rounds of the 2011 WRC Academy Series, driving a Ford Fiesta R2.

Taylor earned her place at the Pirelli Star Driver Shootout, a global competition held in conjunction with Rally Spain last weekend. Sixteen young hopefuls from around the world were nominated for the Shootout, and Taylor’s nomination came as a result of her performances in the British Rally Championship this year. For the second year in a row, Taylor has taken the title of British Ladies Rally Champion after moving to the UK to further her rally career.

Living away from home and at times working up to three jobs to help pay the bills has finally paid off for Taylor who impressed the judges with not only her driving ability but also her media qualities.

The Shootout consisted of a series of lectures, as well as driving tests on both gravel and tarmac rally stages, and a media presentation. The six winners were announced at an official FIA press conference at the conclusion of Rally Spain on Sunday.

“I am overwhelmed and incredibly excited,” Taylor said after the announcement. “It’s not every day an opportunity like this comes along! I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet.”

“My focus has always been working towards the WRC, so to be sitting here today knowing that this is actually a reality is surreal. This is just the beginning and the hard work starts now – I’m buzzing!”

[News Source]