∗ Bulldog International Rally of North Wales Preview∗ Second round of Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship∗ Closest event to 'home' round∗ Some experience of stages∗ Confidence high after recent class and overall rally wins
Teenage rally driver Tom Cave will be looking for more success on the next round of the 2011 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship, the Bulldog International Rally of North Wales next weekend (2 April). The event, based in Welshpool, is the closest thing to his home round of the series and he and co-driver Craig Parry will be looking to maintain the momentum that recently saw them claim a class and an overall win in the same weekend.
Following their excellent performance on the BRC opener in February, where they took second place behind David Bogie, Tom and Craig have been busy. They contested the Malcolm Wilson Rally and the Mid Wales Stages event on the same weekend, claiming the GroupN win on the Malcolm Wilson and outright victory on the Mid Wales, at the wheel of Tom's 2004 GpN Subaru Impreza on both occasions.
However, for the Bulldog, they return to the JRM-prepared and run Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionX that they used to clinch second on the Sunseeker. And not surprisingly, Tom is looking forward to the event.
In contrast to the first round, the Bulldog features longer stages, which should give the drivers a better margin for error and more opportunity to build an advantage as the day goes on. Tom already has some experience of the stages from previous events and plans to put that to good use from the outset, adopting the same strategy as he has done so far this year, by pushing hard from the start of the event.
Commenting, Tom said; "I have to say, I'm feeling pretty good at the moment. We did two rallies in March and got a lot of good seat time, as well as a class win and an overall win, so I'm feeling really fired-up. The feeling and confidence are high and I'm really looking forward to getting back into the JRM car and the BRC action.
"We have a short test ahead of the rally on Monday to finalise the car set-up but I'm really psyched-up, ready for a full attack from the word go. The longer stages mean that you can develop a good rhythm and also, if you do have a problem, you can try to get some of the time back.
"We'll be attacking from the start and see how the pace pans out. I'm expecting it to be very competitive, particularly with David [Bogie] - he's on great form at the moment and I know it will be a tough battle with him but just like on the Sunseeker, I'm really looking forward to it."
The one-day event is based in Welshpool and comprises ten stages run over three loops. The first sees four stages used just once, while the second and third loops are three stages repeated, including the 15.5mile Gartheiniog stage. The first crew is expected at the finish ramp at 19.30.
