Australian rally star Molly Taylor is ready to ditch the dirt for bitumen when the new Touring Car Racing championship starts in Sydney next week.

Taylor completed a successful test day in her Kelly Racing Subaru at Winton Raceway in Victoria on Monday, time that the two-time Australian Rally Champion feels is vital ahead of the inaugural event of the TCR series at Sydney Motorsport Park from May 17.

“It’s very different to my rally car, the biggest thing is this is front-wheel drive and the rally car is all-wheel drive,” the 30-year-old said.

“Then we have a lot more differences in the suspension to be able to cope with the gravel surface as opposed to tarmac now. Same badge but very different cars.”

Former World Rally Championship driver Taylor is one of 12 drivers so far confirmed for the championship, with the field also including ex-Supercars stars Jason Bright, James Moffat and Tony D’Alberto.

The seven-event TCR series also includes races at Phillip Island, Sandown Raceway, Queensland Raceway, Winton and two stops at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia.