Tom Cave delivered a perfect performance on Saturday’s (14th September) Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally by setting the fastest time on all of the event’s eight stages and in doing so, recorded his third victory of the season by nearly a minute. It was all he and co-driver Dale Bowen could do in order to give themselves the best chance of claiming this year’s British title, but with their main rivals Matt Edwards/Patrick Walsh finishing third, it meant they end the season in second place.
Based in the forests of southwest Scotland, the sixth and final round of this year’s British Rally Championship comprised nine stages and 71 competitive miles over some of the most demanding gravel roads in the UK. With Edwards ahead on points following round five, it meant that if he finished seventh or higher, even if Tom won the rally, Edwards would still secure the title.
As cars set off from the start near Castle Douglas on a bright and sunny morning, Tom knew what he had to do to give himself the best chance of securing the title. And he did just that. Stage-after-stage, he and Dale set the pace, posting fastest time after fastest time, never putting a foot wrong in the process. The Michelin tyres worked well and the Philip Case Rallysport prepared Hyundai – which had been rebuilt following the previous round – ran faultlessly.
With organisers cancelling the ninth and final stage, Tom and Dale crossed the finish line having set eight out of eight fastest times to record their third British Rally Championship victory of the season. They ended the day 54.9 seconds ahead of Jonny Greer/Dai Roberts and 2 minutes 16 seconds ahead of Edwards/ Walsh, who had also done exactly what they needed to do and finished third.
At the finish, Tom said:
“To be quickest on all the stages and win without any problems is the best result you can hope for. We pushed from the start and did everything we could today to keep a grip on the title, but the difference in points between Matt and I was just too much. We didn’t lose the title today, it was the DNFs on round one, the Cambrian Rally and round five in Ulster that set us back.
“To have completely rebuilt the Hyundai in three weeks following our off in Ulster – and then for it to run faultlessly throughout this event – is a fantastic achievement and testimony to the PCRS team’s hard work and professionalism. Today’s win is for them.
“After three victories – one on asphalt and two on gravel – we’ve proved that the Hyundai i20 R5 is capable of winning in the British Rally Championship. And whilst we didn’t quite get our hands on the title, it’s great to have finished the season on a high.”
“There are so many people I would like to thank for making our 2019 British Rally Championship campaign happen: Trailhead Fine Foods and its Get Jerky snack brand, Cambrian Training, Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Michelin Motorsport, Shukers Hyundai of Aberystwyth Ponsse UK, H.N. Nuttall Foodservice, Go Fetch Ltd, Intervino and Atech Racing. We couldn’t have done it without you!”
Tom now looks forward to his next challenge, the Wales Rally GB – Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship – that takes place between 3rd and 6th October.
ENDS
| 2019 British Rally Championship | |||
| Rd. 1 | 16 February | Cambrian Rally – Llandudno, North Wales | gravel |
| Rd. 2 | 16-17 March | West Cork Rally – Clonakilty, Republic of Ireland | asphalt |
| Rd. 3 | 27 April | Pirelli International Rally – Carlisle, England | gravel |
| Rd. 4 | 28-29 June | Ypres Rally – Ypres, Belgium | asphalt |
| Rd. 5 | 17 August | Ulster Rally – Antrim, Northern Ireland | asphalt |
| Rd. 6 | 14 September | Galloway Hills Rally – Castle Douglas, Scotland | gravel |
For further information about Tom’s 2019 campaign visit www.tomcave.com
ENDS
About Tom
- Date of birth (age): 16th November 1991 (27)
- Nationality: British
- Home Town: Aberdovey, Wales
- Occupation: Hotel Management
- Interests outside of motorsport: Keeping fit, Golf, Rugby, Tennis, running, cars
- Co-driver: Dale Bowen from Hirwaun
- Facebook: @tomcaveracing
- Twitter: @tomcaveracing
