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Tom is the toast of Welsh rallying
publication date: Dec 7, 2008
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author/source: Robin Roberts & Gary Jones
 | | Welsh rallying sensation Tom Cave stunned spectators on the second day of Wales Rally GB.
Tom only passed his driving test a week before the last round of
the World Rally Championship and is the youngest ever driver to compete
in the event at 17 years and 18 days, having developed his skills on
Latvian forest rallies and encouraged by fellow North Wales rally
legend, Gwyndaf Evans.
Yesterday, he picked up where he left off on Day1 and extended his lead in the N3 class to more than 12 minutes in his Fiesta.
The 17 year-old from Aberdyfi, and co-driver Gemma Price, who comes
from Wolverhampton, had a few moments on the way but arrived at the
day's final service in Swansea in 32nd place overall and first in
class.
They received a standing ovation and a thundering cheer from the
delighted capacity crowd in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff for the
last special stage of the day.
Earlier, the day dawned cold and clear as the competitors headed
for six of the most iconic stages in British rallying. The first, the
30Km Resolfen test went without a hitch, although Tom admitted the car
felt less like a front wheel-drive Fiesta and more like a Mk2 Escort,
as the black ice made it broadside on almost every corner.
The
following stage, Halfway, saw the pair spin a full 360 degrees before
regaining their composure and continuing on their way. The last of the
morning’s loop, Crychan, saw another problem, as they picked up a
puncture in the rough gravel and opted to continue to the end of the
stage, losing around 45 seconds rather than the six minutes they would
give away had they opted to stop and change the wheel.
Commenting at the mid-day service, Tom said, “This morning was
interesting, to put it mildly! We had a spin on Halfway and I’m not
sure how we managed not to hit any of the rocks on the edge of the
roads but we got away with it. The car was very sideways on Resolfen
and the ice made it a bit of a handful – we were sideways everywhere.”
After the day’s first three stages, the pair had climbed from
their overnight position of 44th to 38th but more importantly, had
extended their lead in the class to more than six minutes.
As it transpired, the second run was not as bad as Tom expected.
There
was still plenty of ice apparent on the gravel roads, causing a few
lock-ups and moments but the crew arrived at the Millennium Stadium in
Cardiff for the superspecial stage with a commanding lead of more than
12 minutes, with four more stages on Sunday to go.
Speaking after the end of the leg, Tom said, “Today has been a
fantastic day. We had a couple of issues on the first loop this morning
and a few more moments this afternoon but we managed to keep it all
together and get to the end of the second day on my first WRC event.
“The superspecial stage in the stadium was incredible – I have
never seen so many spectators in one place and the atmosphere was
electric – genuine rally fever! Seeing so many fans really gives you a
massive boost as a driver.
“I think the plan for tomorrow will be much the same – with a lead
of 12 minutes in the class, there is no point in taking any risks.
There’s still a fair distance to run tomorrow and it’s all there to
lose so we’ll look for a pace that means we will be focussed on getting
to the finish in Cardiff and looking after the car.” | | ©Image courtesy of Gary Jones Rally Pics |
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