Racers in Isolation: Taylor Hagler

Sportscar365 is contacting drivers from around the world to ask what they’re doing during the coronavirus pandemic and how they’re coping with the racing downtime.

Driver of the No. 77 LA Honda World Racing Civic Type R TCR in Michelin Pilot Challenge, Taylor Hagler (Twitter/Instagram) is featured in this edition.

Where are you sitting out the COVID-19 crisis?

I’ve been at home and work in San Antonio, Texas.  Continuing my first love of horseback riding, I am working at an equestrian center.

We take care of and help rehabilitate horses, so my job has continued to be necessary and essential to the wellbeing of the horses even during times of crisis.

What have been some of the challenges of largely staying at home for you?

Having more free time than expected is a bit of a blessing because it is giving me time to prepare for an upcoming move. In a normal situation, it would be difficult to balance work, social, racing travel, and moving.

I’ve kind of had to cut two out of the list because of the coronavirus so its work and packing now!

What’s the current Netflix/TV show you’re watching?

I am currently watching Tiger King on Netflix since it just came out and has a lot of hype around it. I hear it has a strange and exciting plot twist so I am looking forward to seeing what happens. 

Do you do sim racing?

Yes, I have a sim built by Simcraft which I have been using to prepare and train since I started in racing cars. Practicing on the sim helps me stay focused on iRacing to learn the tracks in IMSA.

What’s on your current playlist?

I have a bit of everything depending on my mood, but Billie Eilish – ‘Everything I Wanted’ and Dua Lipa – ‘Don’t Start Now’ are getting a lot of air time on my Spotify.

What’s the one thing you currently can’t have that you miss the most, other than racing?

My dogs! I am currently living in an apartment and my dogs are too hyper to live here. With being in the process of a move, I’m looking forward to being settled in my house with my dogs and a little more space!

Did you have a driver/idol you looked up to when starting to race? 

I’ve had a few drivers that I have looked up to over the years, but Katherine Legge stands out.  I enjoyed watching her in Champ Car and IndyCar when I was growing up. 

More recently, I followed her through her career with Heinricher Racing with Meyer Shank Racing and GEAR Racing where she has become the face of initiatives centered around women in motorsport.

She is a great ambassador for women in the motorsports industry. 

What’s the one thing you’re most looking forward to the first day you return to a race track?

Seeing my LA Honda World Racing crew and our fans. 

We keep getting tagged on Twitter and Instagram in all sorts of eSports liveries that match out No. 77 LA Honda World Honda Civic Type R TCR car and it’s awesome to see the dedication and support that comes from people around the world.

We really do have the best fans!