- presented by Leader of Welsh Assembly
The UK’s youngest-ever international rally driver, Tom Cave, has been presented with an award recognising his achievements in motorsport by the leader of the Welsh Assembly, Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas. Cave, a Welsh resident, was one of 30 pupils presented with certificates at his school for achievements in their chosen extra curricular activities.
Cave began his international rally career last year, competing in the Latvian Rally Championship at just 15 years of age. His motorsport career has always been second to his education though, with competition at weekends and during school holidays and this was recognised by his school at the presentation ceremony last week.
Tom was one of 30 pupils from the school, who have all succeeded in sporting activities outside their formal education. Tom’s motorsport credentials are developing constantly, as he prepares to embark on his second season of rallying in Latvia, once his recently injured elbow has healed completely. This year will see him competing in a Group N Ford Fiesta, once again co-driven by Gemma Price.
A deserving Cave said; “I am extremely proud to have received this award and I’m very pleased that people are noticing not only my motorsport activity but also, that of other pupils at my school. There are so many people here that work extremely hard both at school and outside and this kind of recognition gives a valuable boost to mine, and I’m sure their, programmes.”
Lord Ellis Thomas made the presentation to Tom and his fellow pupils in front of approximately 100 pupils and parents at the school. The recipients were from years 7 to 11 and included one of Tom’s close friends, who has recently been selected for the Welsh Junior rugby team and another pupil whose rowing abilities have attracted the attention of the British Olympic selection committee.
Tom’s 2008 rally campaign has yet to begin, since he missed the first event of the season due to an injured left elbow. However, the injury is healing rapidly, quicker than Tom anticipated and he has begun rowing again, as part of the fitness campaign that underpins his rally activities. Therefore, he predicts he will be fit and well and ready for the next round of the Latvian Rally Championship, the Rally Talsi, on the weekend of the 17/18 May.
