Australian rally driver Molly Taylor is aiming to compete in eight rounds of this year’s 13-round European Rally Championship, starting at next month’s Rallye Açores in Portugal.

“I’ll be driving the same Citroën DS3 R3T in which I competed in some selected ERC rallies last year, so it will be a great opportunity to take what I learned last year and focus on a full championship,” said Taylor, who is also a Drivers’ Representative on the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission.

“I still have a lot of growing to do as a driver, but we will be targeting the 2WD Championship.” Commenting on the launch of the ERC Ladies’ Trophy, Taylor said: “I am happy to hear about the introduction of the Ladies’ Trophy. Personally my target is the overall Championship, however if this class can encourage more females to take the step into the ERC it can only be a positive thing.”

A graduate of the FIA’s WRC Academy in 2011, Taylor competed in a number of series last year, including undertaking events in the ERC, Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the World Rally Championship. She ended last season by being awarded the Richard Burns Trophy as the highest placed young non-priority driver.