Following a highly successful 2016, when he finished runner-up in the MSA British Rally Championship, Aberdovey driver Tom Cave kicks off his 2017 season with the Llandudno-based Cambrian Rally that takes place on Saturday 11th February. The 25-year old is pleased to be starting his year with one of his most local rallies and consequently, is aiming for nothing less than a top result.
In order to enhance his chances of success, Tom has acquired a WRC Subaru S14 from McKinstry Motorsport to contest the event that hosts the first round of the BTRDA Rally Series. Although having never driven the car before and with his most recent gravel outing that of the Nicky Grist Stages in July, Tom's experience in four-wheel-drive machinery last year is destined to stand him in good stead. Indeed, it's worth noting that Tom took outright victory in the last BTRDA event he contested, the Plains Rally in May.
Starting and finishing on Llandudno Promenade, this year's Cambrian Rally features 42 competitive miles split into six stages in the Clocaenog, Alwen and Penmachno forests, all previously used for the Wales Rally GB.
"I'm passionate about supporting events in Wales, especially this one as it's organised by my car club, so to compete on a rally that takes place only 20 miles from where I live and features such good stages is a perfect way to start the season. It's also an excellent way to promote my sponsors, including our family business, the Trefeddian Hotel.
Tom's season takes on a different look to that of last year's when he got within one place of winning the British title:
"Of course, I did consider continuing in the British Rally Championship this year, as I feel I could have really challenged for the title. But following the cancellation of the opening round - the mid-Wales Stages - it made it a difficult to justify a BRC campaign to many of my sponsors.
"My plans are now to enter a series of selected rallies that will expand my experience and continue to keep me match-fit. As to what events these will be is still to be decided, but I'm really looking forward to what's going to be an interesting season ahead, especially as I'll be kicking things off by driving a WRC car on the Cambrian Rally."
Tom will be joined next weekend by his regular co-driver from 2017, James Morgan from Hirwaun. The car will carry the livery of Tom's sponsors: Trefeddian Hotel, Dmack tyres, Walero and Atech Racing:.
Seeded Entry List
Posted: February 2, 2017 10:42 AM
1 Luke Francis/John H Roberts (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [B13]
2 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Skoda Fabia) [B14]
3 Tom Cave/James Morgan (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [B14]
4 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) [B14]
5 Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg (Ford Focus WRC 02) [B14]
6 Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson (Ford Fiesta R5+) [B14]
7 Connor McCloskey/John Rowan (Ford Fiesta WRC) [B14]
8 Rhys Yates/Carl Williamson (Ford Fiesta R5) [B14]
9 Callum Black/Elliott Edmondson (Ford Fiesta R5+) [B14]
10 David Wright/Steve Pugh (Ford Focus WRC 01) [B14]
11 Martin Cairns/Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta WRC) [B14]
12 Fred Milne/Chris Williams (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [B13]
13 Russ Thompson/Andy Murphy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [NR4]
14 Wayne Sisson/Peter Foy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [B13]
15 Karl Simmons/Guy Simmons (Citroen DS3 R5 Evo) [B14]
16 Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh (Ford Fiesta S2000) [B14]
17 Ian Joel/Graeme Wood (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [B13]
18 Thomas Preston/Andrew Roughead (Skoda Fabia R5) [B14]
19 Andy Davies/Max Freeman (Subaru Impreza) [NR4]
20 Richard Hill/Steffan Evans (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [NR4]
21 Patrick Naylor/Ian Lawrence (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [NR4]
22 Ieuan Rowlands/Emyr Hall (Ford Escort) [B12]
23 John Rowlands/Glenn Latham (Ford Escort Mk2) [B11]
24 Paul Britton/George Tinsley (Subaru Impreza WRX N12) [NR4]
25 Dylan Davies/Llion Williams (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
26 Keith Parry/Eryl Evans (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
27 Aaron McClure/Michael Gilbey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [NR4]
28 Sacha Kakad/James Aldridge (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [NR4]
29 Barry Groundwater/Michael Hendry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [B13]
30 Matthew Robinson/Sam Collis (Subaru Impreza) [B14]
31 Simon Rogers/Wyn Davies (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) [B13]
32 Niall Devine/Damien Duffin (Subaru Impreza) [NR4]
33 Ken Pugh/Keith Morris (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III) [B13]
34 Dan Moss/Sam Allen (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [NR4]
35 Nev Jones/Chris Davies (Subaru Impreza NR4) [NR4]
36 Steve Ward/Michael Crawford (Ford Escort Mk2) [H2]
37 Simon Thomas/Mark Williams (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [B13]
38 Harry Gardner/Elliot Graham ( ) [B13]
39 Peter Baylis/Anthony Blyth (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [B13]
40 Greg McKnight/David Crosbie (Mitsubushi Evo 9) [B13]
41 Ian Graham/Liam Mcintyre (Mitsubishi Evo) [B13]
42 Dave Brick/Phil Clarke (Vauxhall Nova) [1400S]
43 Neil Weaver/- (Suzuki Swift) [1400S]
44 Alun Roberts/Rhodri Evans (Ford KA) [B10]
45 Ashley Davies/Sam Fordham (Ford Escort RS) [B12]
46 Ceiriog Hughes/- (Ford Escort Mk2) [H3]
47 Rob Dennis/Andrew Boswell (Ford Escort Mk2) [H3]
48 Mark Bentley/Ed Bentley (Ford ) [H3]
49 Paul Street/Ian Jones (Ford Escort Ml2) [H3]
50 Andrew Siddall/Andy Bull (FIAT 131) [H3]
51 Ross Leach/Hannah McKillop (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
52 Andy Williams/Andy Darlington (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
53 Colin Minton/Bryan Hull (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
54 Steve Hopewell/Clive Jones (Ford Escort) [B11]
55 Andy Davison/Tom Murphy (Talbot Sunbeam VXR) [B11]
56 Bob Vardy/Caron Tomlinson (Ford Fiesta) [B10]
57 Barry Jordan/James Gratton-Smith (Hillman Avenger BRM) [B10]
58 Elliot Retallick/Tim Tugwell (Hillman Avenger) [H1]
59 David Lloyd Roberts/Dei Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) [H2]
60 Hefin Lloyd-Davies/Brynmor Pierce (Vauxhall Corsa) [1400S]
61 Charlie Barlow/Dale Furniss (Nissan Micra) [1400S]
62 Gaz Carless/Kevin Booth (Vauxhall Nova) [1400S]
63 Freddy Brick/Toby Brick (Vauxhall Corsa) [1400S]
65 Richard Wells/Calvin Houldsworth (Ford Fiesta) [N3]
66 Jody McManus/Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta) [N3]
67 Martin Auskerin/Jon Ross (Ford Fiesta) [N3]
68 Tom Easson/Abigail Haycock (Ford Fiesta ST) [N3]
69 Colin Griffiths/Martin Griffiths (BMW Compact) [B12]
70 Steve Southall/Richard Bestwick (Ford Escort) [B12]
71 Arwel Lloyd Jones/Harold Jones (Ford Escort) [H3]
72 David Auden/Christopher Row (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) [B13]
73 David Gathercole/Tom Bishop (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) [B13]
74 Iwan Roberts Jnr/Baz Green (Ford Escort Mk1) [H1]
75 David Hughes/Chris Heyes (BMW 325) [B12]
76 David Hutchinson/Jeff Garnett (Ford Escort Mk2) [B12]
77 Petr Krizan/Jaromir Svec (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [NR4]
78 Kevin E Shepherd/Jamie Atherton (Talbot Sunbeam) [B11]
79 Frazer Martin/Glenn Mercer (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [B13]
80 Simon Pickering/Colin Jenkins (Ford Escort Mk 1) [H2]
81 Gareth Webb/Rich Jones (Vauxhall Nova) [1400S]
82 Rory Jones/Tom Hughes (MG ZR) [1400C]
83 Carl Davies/Richard Jones (Nissan Micra) [1400C]
84 Rikki Proffitt/Graham Wild (Datsun 240Z) [H2]
85 Luke Mclaren/Phil Kenny (Ford Fiesta) [N3]
86 Mathew Davies/Mark Crisp (Ford Fiesta) [N3]
87 Guy Butler/Jamie Mactavish (Ford Fiesta ST) [N3]
88 Rhydian Price/Peredur Wyn Davies (Ford Fiesta ST) [N3]
89 Emily Retallick/James Kirwan (Peugeot 205) [RF1.4]
90 William Hill/Richard Crozier (Ford Fiesta R2) [B10]
91 Nollag O Lapain/- (Ford Escort Mk2) [1400S]
92 Mark Goodwin/Louis Goodwin (Vauxhall Chevette) [B11]
93 Bernie McLean/Garth Howell (Lotus Elise) [B11]
94 Spencer Price/Katie Lee (M-Sport Freelander) [B13]
95 Joshua Hyde/Simon Jones (Peugeot 205 GTI) [B11]
96 Mathew Tordoff/Tim Tordoff (MG ZR) [RF1.4]
97 Ed Fossey/Chris Sharpe-Simkiss (Toyota Yaris) [H2]
98 Pete Gorst/Phil King (Citroen Saxo) [1400C]
99 Jonathan Whalley/Peter Dennis (Ford Escort Mk2) [B11]
100 Ron Hall/Paul Hudson (Subaru Impreza) [B11]
101 Deion Atkinson/Steve Griffith (Toyota Corolla) [B10]
102 John Stone/Danny Mc Menamin (Peugeot 206) [B10]
103 Bart Lang/Sinclair Young (Nissan Micra) [RF1.4]
104 Phil Spilsted/Antony Edwards (MG ZR) [RF1.4]
105 Steve Deeley/Alan Proudman (Peugeot 205 GTi) [B10]
106 Richard Garnett/Rob Gilham (Nissan Micra) [1400C]
107 Roger Nevitt/Mike Smith (Nissan Micra) [1400C]
108 Glynne Jones/Daniel May (Ford Fiesta R200) [B10]
109 Elspeth Rodgers/Jordan Murphy (Ford Fiesta ST) [N3]
110 David Perkins/Chris Spilsted (Nissan Micra) [RF1.4]
111 John Roberts/Alun Hayward (Volkswagen Golf GTI) [B11]
112 Alex Waterman/Steve Davey (Ford Fiesta R2) [B10]
113 Nabila Tejpar/Charley Sayer-Payne (Ford Fiesta R2) [B10]
114 Euron Lloyd/Osian Owen (MG ZR) [RF1.4]
115 Nigel Curtis/James Curtis (Toyota Corolla) [H2]
116 Josh Cornwell/Richard Bliss (Ford Fiesta R2) [B10]
CAMBRIAN RALLY CONFIRMED TO GO AHEAD.
Posted: January 24, 2017 7:51 AM
After a few worrying days after loosing so much mileage the Cambrian Rally team are pleased to say the event will run. A big thank you to all the AM's and media people who have helped to make this happen.
Busy day working things out with NRW to try and secure enough mileage to run the event.
We have had to loose Clocaenog East due to extensive harvesting and the lack of commitment from NRW that the roads would be serviceable for motorsport use on the day of the event. As a compromise we have devised a route that offers about 42miles of forestry.
It is proposed to use Alwen, Aberhirnant & LLangower twice which will offer competitors 42 miles of very competitive and challenging miles on some of the fastest stages in the UK.
There is still some work / discussions to be had re who does any pre event work if its required, all that remains is for an agreement to be reached now with R4W.
All hands to the decks as they say, Roadbooks now being printed, Andy Kay started to map the new routes and Michael Patterson will be over next week to do the notes.
Get your entries in still some places available.
See you all in Llandudno on February 11th for the 62nd running of the Cambrian Rally.
Entries Received / Regulations / On Line Entry / Details
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