Scottish-born Taylor's iconic 'HAYNES of MAIDSTONE' Escorts were made famous by his success on TV in rallycross and he won the inaugural 1973 European Rallycross Championship driving an Escort RS 1600. However, he was also a regular in top-flight rallying using Haynes-built Escorts which, because of his and the team's close relationship with Ford, were built to the latest specification and treated as works cars by Ford's service crews. Taylor continued working for Ford in the 1980s developing rally cars but retired from competition after this event which saw him put in a remarkable drive to 6th whilst battling chronic back pain, the legacy of an accident from his earlier career as a jockey