‘You have to be thick skinned’: Female rally champion, 28, opens up about what it’s like to compete in the male dominated sport – and says there’s still an ‘old school mentality’

The young woman, who started driving while she was still at school, made her debut in the Australian Rally Championship in 2007 where she won the F16 class

Ms Taylor recently opened up about her experience in motorsport and what it’s like to be competing in such a heavily male dominated industry.

‘I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve been incredibly well supported by 99 per cent of the rally community. Guys want more girls in the sport as well, so they’re just as supportive,’ she told Honey.

‘I think there is definitely, in some cases, a bit of a misconception and a bit of an old-school mentality.’

Ms Taylor said when she first competed in Europe, she put in 110 per cent effort to prove she was there for the ‘right reasons’ and admitted there was likely a ‘little bit of gender in that.’

‘You have to be thick skinned, but the males do as well. It’s a tough sport for everyone,’ she said.

Despite this, there are more female drivers and co-drivers than ever, as well as women working in the engineering and mechanical side of the sport.

As a result, Ms Taylor has become a popular role model for thousands of young girls and women around the world.

Speaking to The Upside for International Women’s Day, Ms Taylor said the most important thing for young women to know early in their career is the importance of passion.

‘The most important thing is to truly love and be passionate about what you are doing. There will always be sacrifices so you need to want it,’ she said.

‘After that, it’s about rolling your sleeves up and working at it every day.’