Determined performance keeps BRC title hopes alive for Tom Cave

A determined performance on a challenging Ulster International Rally for Welsh rally driver Tom Cave last weekend means this year's MSA British Rally Championship title will go down to the wire, with Tom still in the running. Technical issues with his Citroen DS3 R3 at the beginning and end of the event meant that Tom, and co-driver Craig Parry, finished 6th overall and is now third in the BRC standings, just four points behind joint leaders Keith Cronin and Elfyn Evans.

Tom's issues on the second tarmac event of the season began early. Despite never having contested the event, he was in full swing but after a small spin on the first stage, could not select reverse gear and was stationary for more than 20 seconds as he tried to get the car pointing the right way.

It eventually went in but the damage was done - Tom and Craig were 20th overall. However, they attacked the remaining five stages on Friday evening and by the end of the first leg, had clawed their way back up to sixth overall.

They began the second day of the event in the same manner, setting a string of top five stage times and claiming the win on the event's penultimate stage, to come within 0.7 seconds of a podium position.

However, there was a late sting in the tail for the team. The Citroen refused to fire as it prepared to leave the finale service of the event, following a diagnosed alternator issue. Despite the efforts of the Davies Motorsport Services team and the attending Citroen engineer, Tom and Craig picked up a 50 second penalty for leaving service late and still, the engine would cut out if Tom removed his foot from the accelerator.

The penalty dropped them from 4th to sixth by the end of the event, meaning they now hold third in the BRC standings, four points behind the joint leaders, with one round to go.

Commenting, Tom said; "It was a pretty disappointing weekend, all told. We spun on the first stage, which was annoying but then, couldn't get reverse and spent 24 seconds stationary as we tried to get the car back on the road.

"We dropped to 20th after the first stage but started the second day in 6th, so I was quite pleased with the pace. We were pushing on for the second day but had an issue on the final service. There looked like an electrical issue - the engine would fire but cut out immediately unless I kept my foot on the accelerator. The Citroen engineer spent five minutes trying to sort it out and in the end, we had to leave and drive round it.

"The ECU has been sent off for inspection and I'm sure it'll be fine for the next event.

"It looks like the last round, Rally Yorkshire, will be interesting. Elfyn and Keith tied on points and us just behind them and 50% extra points on offer, so it's all to play for!"

The final round of the MSA British Rally Championship takes place on 28/29 September and looks likely to be a three-way fight for the 2012 title


Related Motorsport Articles

84,520 articles