Ian Taylor ready for his Protyre Asphalt Championship debut – as a driver!

Ian Taylor says that enjoying the big events that he’s done as a co-driver will be key to a successful 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, as he prepares to tackle the BTRDA series for the first time as a driver. 

Ian is well known for co-driving for the likes of hard-charging Oli Hopkins, Craig Jones and Tony Rees, to name but a few.

In 2024 he finished third in class and sixth in the overall Protyre Asphalt co-drivers’ standings after a great season navigating for Aled Morgans – mostly in an Escort Mk2, but also to eighth championship finisher on Rali Ceredigion in an Escort G3.

But the Carmarthen co-driver is also renowned for pedalling his rapid Macwhirter Motorsport-run Mitsubishi Evo 9 on events too – scoring some impressive results last year like 17th overall / 2nd in class on the Tour of Epynt, 43rd overall / 5th in class on Rali Ceredigion and winning his class on the King of Epynt Challenge. Ian also won his class and finished fifth overall on the 2024 Mewla Rally.

Ian will be co-driven by Louise Lewis, who returned to regular competition last year for the first time in 25 years.

“I’m especially looking forward to the events that I have enjoyed doing as a co-driver and hopefully transfer that to enjoying them as a driver,” says Ian. 

“There are definitely a few Bucket List events, like the Manx and the Jim Clark rallies for example, and to just enjoy the larger events away with the team and my family.

“Last year’s Rali Ceredigion was my first attempt at a proper closed road stage rally as a driver. I initially thought that I’d bitten off more than I could chew, but we both thoroughly enjoyed it and had a discussion that evening about doing the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship in 2026. 

“As we all know, the costs are ever increasing so if anyone or their company would like to support us and be part of the team, with regular social media updates and with promotional use of the car and/or team, we would be pleased to hear from you.

“And finally, I’m not planning to completely change to driving and will hopefully keep the pace notes and stopwatch close to hand when needed!”

Ian will be supported by ABX Roofing Supplies, Hair of the Dog Grooming Salon, Derwydd Garage (Llandybie), CMJ Motors, Weston Paintworx, Lively Race Graphics, Hirefit.co.uk and Sitch & Go Wales.