Rally star Molly Taylor will make a move into touring car racing after landing a TCR Australia drive with Kelly Racing.  

The 2016 Australian Rally champion will drive a Subaru WRX STI TCR machine for the Braeside squad in what will be a first foray into circuit racing having carved a successful career in rallying.

Taylor indicated an interest in TCR Australia after revealing to Speedcafe.com in March that she was working on a bid to race in new touring car class after enjoying a test drive in a Subaru TCR car in Italy last year.

The 30-year-old is the first driver confirmed at the four-car Kelly Racing TCR squad that comprises two Subarus and two Opel Astras.

Confirmation of the drive will see Taylor dovetail the series around commitments to contest the Australian Rally Championship in a factory supported Subaru.

Event clashes will see her race in five of the seven rounds with a replacement driver expected to fill the void at Sandown (September 20-22) and The Bend Motorsport Park (November 15-17).  

“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,” said Taylor, who was linked to a move to Supercars last year.

“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.”

Kelly Racing team owner Todd Kelly rates Taylor as a serious motorsport talent and is keen to assist her transition from rallying to racing.

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

“You don’t win the Australian Rally Championship by accident. Molly is a serious motorsport 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.”

Kelly Racing is set to test its Subaru machines, which arrived this week, at Winton on May 6 ahead of the season opener at Sydney Motorsport Park from May 17-19.

The seven round series has this week moved to confirm its race formats and regulations prior to its anticipated inaugural round, which will be shown live on SBS.

Entry list: Round 1, Sydney Motorsport Park