John Taylor

John Taylor was a Scotsman, who became in 1973 the first-ever European Rallycross Champion driving his Ford Escort RS.

The son of a commander of the Royal Navy, he spent his youth in Bermuda Islands.

Later installed in Kent County near the Lydden Hill circuit, he became a professional jockey. But he suffered a serious accident in 1969, and soon became more involved in motorsport, which he had just discovered the previous year while the first rallycross in history took place on Lydden Hill on February 4, 1967 (victory of Vic Elford)

In the 1973 season, he and fellow Briton Rod Chapman were even on points so the title was decided on account of race wins. He was also third in the 1975 season.

Driving in World Rally Championship cars, John finished in sixth place at the Rally Great Britain in 1979, co-driven by Phil Short.