Lauren Tayla: The Unstoppable Force Behind the Wheel

At just 29 years old, Lauren Tayla from Stockton on Tees has already carved out a remarkable path in the exhilarating world of MINI Challenge Clubsport auto racing. Her unwavering determination, coupled with an infectious passion for the sport, has propelled this young dynamo on a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and an unwavering spirit that refuses to be tamed by age or circumstance.
With her partner and son as her loving pit crew, Lauren has found a renewed passion for a sport she grew up dreaming about. In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Tayla discusses her incredible road to MINI racing from the kart circuit, and how her passion fuels every engine in her life. 

It was a love affair that began with a simple introduction to the thrilling spectacle of the British Touring Cars. "I was always a Renault Sport girl, which I wouldn't get back in one now," Lauren confesses. "I own a Mini, we've got seven Minis at the minute, so they just keep re-spawning. Yeah, they're addictive. The fast, the fun – you point them, and that's where they go." Captivated by the speed and agility of the Mini racers, she set her sights on a seemingly impossible dream – to become a champion MINI Challenge racer herself. With the determination of someone far beyond her years, she embarked on a journey that would test her limits and push her boundaries.
Lucky number 33 had the love and the fire, now it was time to build the machine. 

Lauren's journey has been far from a smooth ride. With limited resources and a tight budget, she has taken on the herculean task of building her race car from scratch – a feat that would daunt even the most experienced mechanics. "I have literally stripped the car, prepped it all for paint, had it painted, fitted the cage, started all the suspension, now done all the outside, and wrapping it, done all the engine work. So it's been a lot," she explains. Her hands-on approach has not only saved her precious resources but has also forged an unbreakable bond with her racing machines.

At the heart of Lauren's journey is a family united by their shared passion for racing. Her partner and son have been by her side every step of the way, turning the garage into their second home. "My son, bless his heart, he's been in the garage since being about six months old. He has grown up in the garage. He could probably tell you more components on a car than most adults." Together, they form an unbreakable unit, a true racing family, united by their love for the sport and the thrill of the chase.
In an expensive sport with little financial yield, family is the bond that turns passion into profits through the time spent together doing something they all love, and makes them better for it. 

The road to success in mini auto racing is paved with obstacles – from securing sponsorships to handling the physical and mental demands of the sport. Lauren has faced her fair share of challenges, from engine failures to devastating crashes that could have shattered her dreams. But her resilience and unwavering spirit, forged at such a young age, have carried her through. "If it was easy, everybody would be doing it," she acknowledges. "It's not easy, but it is doable. You have to be a strong-minded person and resilient, able to just plow on through it because it does get really draining." Every setback has become a learning experience, fuelling her determination to conquer the next hurdle.
Moving into bigger races means bigger expenses in a sport that pays zero in prize money to its winners. That’s right zero, MINI challenge racing is all about the competition for those who enter.