RALLY
British Rally Championship 2017
Former Spencer Sport driver Tom Cave has become the latest high-profile name to sign-up to the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship in 2017, Tom’s return to Britain’s premier rallying series will see him pilot a Ford Fiesta R5 prepared by Dom Buckley Motorsport alongside co-driver James Morgan on the Border Counties Rally.
Cave who is based just across the Ceredigion border at Aberdovery enjoyed a very successful season last term with the Llandysul based Spencer Sport team of Jamie and Charlie Jukes in the Ford Fiesta R5 before moving on to his new team based on the Scottish borders and Cave who was last season’s runner-up has committed to the series once again as he goes in search of his first four-wheel-drive win in the BRC.
The 25-year-old is fired-up ahead of the first round after a confidence building 2016, taking four podiums and being the only driver – other than WRC star Elfyn Evans – to burst through the 100 point mark in the standings. With Evans graduating to the world stage, the path is now clear for a new champion to be crowned.
“Last year was very successful,” enthused Tom. “To finish second behind Elfyn was the best I could have hoped for and beyond all expectations. This time last year it was a case of learning everything – a new team, new car and new co-driver. We couldn’t live with Elfyn and Fredrik initially but, as I gelled with the Spencer Sport team and James, the results started to come. By the Scottish we really started to get into our stride and then showed good pace right up to the end of the season.”
The Aberdovey-based driver knows the Fiesta R5 well and believes everything is in place to mount a strong charge from the word ‘go’ in Scotland – with the series blasting off on the 17/18 March.
“I think I can fight at the front once again. I’ve have not competed on a full event since September but with what I’ve done since it felt like I had never been away. I feel comfortable and ready to fight on the Border Counties. I have done a lot of rallies in the Fiesta R5 and believe all the ingredients are there to compete for a win.”
It’s a new year and new challenge for Tom, who is leading the attack for Dom Buckley Motorsport in the BRC. Tom had a successful year last year and appreciates the backing he enjoyed from Spencer Sport throughout 2016.
“I would like to thank Spencer Sport for all their support last year. To work with Charlie and Jamie Jukes and help bring a new team into the BRC was a great experience. To take four podiums together I think shows the level of success we achieved, but unfortunately we couldn’t put a package together this year. I wish them well for the future and I look forward to the new challenges this year will bring.”
Tom has been a long-term supporter of the British Rally Championship and is eager to shine on some of the world’s best stages.
“It looks like the BRC will be well supported once again and it’s an excellent proving ground for young drivers. Elfyn has proved that. The level of competition this year is destined to provide some great battles, so I’m delighted to continue to be involved.”
