Welsh Rally - 3 May 09

Posted: May 7, 2009 12:26 PM - 2904 Hits

Successful tarmac debut for Tom Cave

Posted: May 7, 2009 3:07 PM

The UK’s first minor international rally driver, Tom cave, enjoyed a successful event this weekend, as he tackled his first all-asphalt rally. The 17 year-old finished the RDP Welsh International Rally in 21st place overall and fourth in class, despite a raft of first-time experiences, including a new co-driver, first time on asphalt and first time on the Welsh tarmac stages.

Tom’s regular co-driver, Gemma Price, was not able to sit with him this weekend, since she was in Latvia in her capacity as Director of Junior Rallying, introducing the next generation of young British rally drivers to competition. She was replaced on this event by experienced co-driver Phil Pugh, who normally sits with British Rally Champion Guy Wilks. Not only would this allow Tom to enter the event, it would give useful additional experience in developing his pace notes.

Tom and Phil used a rented Fiesta ST on this event, since Tom’s own car remains in re-preparation following its return from his last rally, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal. The car and support for this weekend were provided by Iwan Evans’ company, I-Cars from Brecon.

Despite this being Tom and Phil’s first event together, Tom’s first full rally on tarmac and the first time either of them competed on the legendary Epynt military ranges, they enjoyed a successful day of competition. The event was free from problems, with the exception of a broken driveshaft after the crew hit a huge pothole in the road. Luckily there was only 3km of the stage left to run, so they lost just 15 seconds.

Commenting after the event, Tom said: “This was a very good result; surprisingly good in fact, considering it was our first event together, my first on tarmac and both our first on Epynt.

“To start with, I found it difficult to get the right rhythm. Everything is different from gravel; the lines, the braking points, everything. So it took all morning to find something approaching a decent pace but I was pleased with how things were going by the end of the day. The last stage, which was 20 miles long, felt very good and both Phil and I were pleased with the time.

“Working with Phil this weekend was also very good. I’ve known him for a long time, as he lives just over the hill from me but this was the first time we’ve competed together. We spent a few nights in the run-up to the event going out and practicing notes on the road as well as going through the paperwork, to see how we’d work together.

“I found it very useful having Phil in the car. I was able to get a new set of eyes and ears on my pace notes. Phil has a lot of experience with various drivers and can help to work on the right system, not necessarily the one I have been using so far, which was right for the rallying in Latvia I was doing. We worked on a new fundamental style of notes this weekend and they seemed to work well, so I may well adopt that style going forward.

“The team from I-Cars also did a fantastic job of preparing and running the car. They were extremely professional and Iwan was very helpful, in terms of getting the right set-up on the car for the rally. I feel I have learned a huge amount this weekend and am in a good position ready for our next event, the Jim Clark Rally later this month.”

Tom’s next event will take him north to the Scottish borders region for the asphalt Jim Clark Rally, forming part of the British Rally Championship, over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd May. The current plans are for Tom to use his own Fiesta once the problems arising from Portugal are eliminated and the event should see the return of Gemma to the co-driver’s seat.