Aberdovey-based rally driver Tom Cave will take part in this month’s Wales Rally GB, the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
With much of the event’s competitive mileage taking place in the north Wales forests, many of the stages represent familiar territory to Tom, who will be contesting this world championship qualifier for the fifth time.
Having impressed when driving a Hyundai i20 R5 earlier this year by leading various rounds of the British Rally Championship and finishing third in the WRC2 category on Neste Rally Finland, Cave will return to a Ford Fiesta R5 for Rally GB.
The 25-year-old has driven a similar car on the event twice before and he finished second behind the wheel of an R5 Fiesta in the MSA British Rally Championship last year.
“After a season that promised so much, I am eager to round off my year by competing in my home world championship event against some of the best R5 class drivers there is,2 said Cave.
“My most recent event was Rally Finland and, after finishing third in WRC2 and with a Finnish driver winning the class, I really want to see if I can turn the tables in Wales.”
Cave will be partnered on Rally GB by his regular co-driver, Hirwaun’s James Morgan, who also brings with him a wealth of experience when if comes to his home country’s forests.
The car will be a brand new, latest specification Fiesta R5, prepared and run by Dom Buckley RSC – a team that Cave has worked with on previous occasions.
He added: “I really enjoy competing in the Welsh forests, not just because they are close to where I live, but the stages are fantastic – some of the best in the world – and when you get them right, there’s nowhere that gives you the same buzz.
“So, with an area, a car, co-driver and team that’s familiar to me, I’m hoping it’s going to be a successful combination.”
The Wales Rally GB takes place from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th October and represents the penultimate round of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship. The event commences on Thursday evening with a spectator stage at Tir Prince on the Flintshire coast, followed by six stages in mid Wales on Friday.
Saturday’s itinerary features six stages in the north Wales forests, plus a spectator stage at Cholmondeley Castle.
Sunday’s route continues the competition in north Wales and features another five stages before the ceremonial finish in Llandudno. As it has done in recent years, all of the event’s service halts take place at Deeside.