Holden eyeing female driver
MEET the Aussie glamour girl in line to become Holden’s female version of Craig Lowndes.
News Corp can exclusively reveal Holden is attempting to sign emerging Australian WRC driver Molly Taylor to a history- making V8 deal that would see her become the Aussie icon’s first full- time female driver.
Holden marketing boss Mark Harland last night confirmed Taylor, 29, was “at the top of the list” after revelations Holden want a woman to race alongside Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen in an all- star Commodore stable.
“I was introduced to Molly at Bathurst last year,’’ Harland said. ‘‘ I had been told that she had some serious talent and was also intelligent and well spoken.
“It became evident she was not only good in the car but also with the media. I was very impressed.’’
After Nissan’s landmark move to make Simona de Silvestro the sport’s first full- time driver, Holden announced their plan to put a female driver in a Commodore at the Adelaide 500 earlier this month.
Harland revealed the declaration has sparked interest from some of the biggest stars in world motorsport.
Columbian F1 test driver Tatiana Calderon has been touted as a potential target, along with upand- coming Australian racers Chelsea D’Angelo and Caitlin Wood.
“I am not ruling out anything but it is our preference to have an Australian driver,’’ Harland said.
“There are plenty of talented drivers out there. On the back of what went out, we have already had 10 CVs from all over the world come into the office. We have been flooded by interest from not just Australia but from Europe and America.
“But yes, Australia is a priority for us.’’
Despite being signed to Japanese giant Subaru, Taylor could become the first woman to race full- time in a Holden Commodore.
Taylor is the only female driver competing in the WRC and is the reigning winner of the Australian Rally Championship.
“Molly is on contract with Subaru for another year or two,’’ Harland said.
“But I would still definitely say she is on the top of the list.’’
Harland said signing a woman driver was important to Holden as the company prepares to release the first non- Australian- built Commodore.
“As we move forward as a brand, we want to be a modern Australian brand that represents Australia,’’ Harland said.
“We want to continue in motorsport because that is in our DNA and, as a modern Australian brand, I think it is important to have a female represent us in motorsport.”