journalist achieves top step of podium on rally debut National sports journalist overcomes obstacles and last-minute hitches to win class in tough Welsh rally
Tom Cary, Formula One correspondent for the Daily Telegraph newspaper, achieved an amazing first-in-class finish on his rally debut in the Pro Art Signs Swansea Bay National Rally in Wales on Saturday 18 July.
Teaming up with Sky Sports presenter and rally driver Tony Jardine, Cary from Wandsworth in London, made a startling rookie debut by winning first place in the two-wheel-drive class and finishing eleventh overall as he started his quest to become a fully-fledged internationally licensed co-driver in time for Rally Scotland in November.
Despite a major glitch late on Friday night before the start of the rally Cary managed to keep his cool whilst insurance wrangles threatened a non-start for the journalist in his vital first event. At the eleventh hour matters were resolved and reserve co-driver Michael Weeks, Competitions Manager of the Southern Car Club, was asked to stand down as Cary once again prepared mentally to start his first rally.
Amazingly the new duo of Jardine and Cary found themselves fighting for a class win and, despite a puncture which necessitated a rapid wheel change from the new team mates, the Kumho-shod Castrol Fiesta was soon on its way to a podium finish. Driving in the Daily Telegraph-supported ProSpeed team run by Olly Marshall, Tony Jardine was impressed by his new co-driver Tom Cary on his very first event. “Tom has had just four hours of tuition at the Silverstone Experience Centre with an instructor and his mentor World Champion rally co-driver Robert Reid. Despite this I was really impressed by his general understanding of his complex job and how quickly he got to grips with rally timing, navigation and pace note calling. I have a very strong feeling Tom will become a very competent international co-driver.”
ProSpeed team boss Olly Marshall commented, “Tony has brought quite a few media partners to the ProSpeed team over the years but never has one made such a successful debut as Tom Cary. He not only won the two-wheel drive category, he also won his class and he impressed myself and the team. I hope he can keep this up for the next event in early September – lets hope he can cope with the time gap. It is very rare for us to suffer a puncture, as our Kumho tyres are not only tough but they provide fantastic grip. However, Tony and Tom were really hanging it out over the last two stages and clearly picked up a flint in the undergrowth – I wish Tony would learn to drive more tidily.”
Arai helmets rushed through a replacement crash helmet for journalist Cary after his initial helmet proved to be too small in size, compressing his forehead. Once he obtained the correct fit, Tom was very comfortable with his new safety kit including his Alpinestars fireproof suit, and seemed to fit instantly into the rally environment.
Tom Cary said, “I had a great team around me and everything just seemed to gel but it was incredibly hard work - quite unlike anything I have been used to in any other sport. But it was such a thrill I am sure I am going to be able to convey that to our readers – now I’m really up for the next event, the Woodpecker Rally in early September.”
