Welsh rally driver Tom Cave, driving for the PROTON Motorsports team, completed the second day of Wales Rally GB in 15th place and second in SWRC, improving his overall and SWRC placings  during the course of the day. Despite admitting to a wrong tyre choice for the morning stages, the 20 year-old maintained his composure to complete what he described as a frustrating day.

The conditions were bright and clear as the crews left the morning service to head for the day's first loop of three stages, 110Km to the north. Tom had elected to start the day on the hard option tyres, thinking that the stages would be drier than those on leg one, as indicated from the pre-event recce.

However, it transpired that the road conditions were damper than expected and the harder tyres did not develop the grip or inspire the confidence he had enjoyed on day one. It also meant that the competition, using the soft tyres, had more grip and as a result, Tom lost some time. However, such was the gap to fourth in SWRC that it did not affect his position in the morning.

He elected to change to the soft tyres at the midday service and was immediately more comfortable with the grip levels and the way the car handled. This in turn gave him more confidence and he was able to push harder on the second loop of three stages to ensure that he consolidated the position to the end of the day.

A short run through the asphalt Celtic Manor stage ended the day before the final service at Cardiff.

Commenting at the service, Tom said; "I took a bit of a risk this morning by taking the hard tyres, as I thought the stages would be drier than they were. I felt that on the two longer stages, they might last better than the soft tyres, which would go off. However, I made the wrong choice as it turned out.

"I didn't have any confidence with the grip and didn't feel comfortable with the way the car was working on them, so I elected to back off and make sure I didn't make any mistakes that would cut the day short.

"The Proton team suggested changing to the soft tyres for the second loop and immediately, the car felt better and the confidence was back. We were able to push harder for the second run through and I was much happier with the feeling in the car.

"I'm very happy to have held third in SWRC and of course, climbed one position in the overall standings."

However, a late penalty applied to Yazeed al Rajhi for speeding on a road section dropped him behind Tom as the day's results were posted and the result is Tom climbs one position higher in the overall standings to 15th but more importantly, to second in SWRC.

The third and final day of the event sees six more stages, again run as two loops of three and culminating with the Walters Arena Power Stage. The first crews are expected at the finish in Cardiff at 15.36.