TOM Cave’s performance on this year’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB underlined his true potential as a front-runner in the international RC2 category of the FIA World Rally Championship.

He set four fastest stage times and regularly posted top three times within fractions of a second from that of the factory-supported drivers, before finally being forced to retire in his Hyundai R5 after damage to the sump on SS20.

"It’s a strange feeling, as this is the first time I’ve retired from an event, but I still feel upbeat about what’s just happened", said the Aberdyfi man.

"Yes of course, it would have been great to stand on the podium and receive the accolade a top three position brings with it, but I believe our times showed what we can do, even against the full-time drivers and factory-supported operations."

Having concluded a deal to drive a Philip Case Rally Sport prepared Hyundai i20 R5, and attracting support from a variety of backers a few weeks before the UK’s round of the WRC, Cave carried out a short but successful test on the Monday before the event.Even without much seat time under his belt, the 26-year old, with co-driver James Morgan from Hirwaun, were matching the pace of the top seeded crews from the word go. Following a short spectator stage near Rhyl on Thursday evening, they went on to set the second-fastest RC2 time on the first two of Friday’s eight stages in the North Wales forests.

However, a puncture in SS4 slowed Cave a little and, having used the one and only spare wheel, he was wisely cautious through the morning’s remaining pair of stages.

These were held in a slate mine, where the flint shards on the edges of the road could have easily caused another tyre-related issue.

Having completed the afternoon’s three forest stages that were a repeat of the morning’s trio, Cave pulled into the Deeside service area for the overnight halt fourth in class and impressively, lying 13th overall amongst the works-assisted crews.

The second full day of the rally took teams to Mid and North West Wales for a series of stages that were more familiar to the Welsh pair and, in SS11 - a 20km run through Sweet Lamb and Hafren - they claimed their first RC2 stage win.

But then, on the very next stage Dyfi, a slide to the edge of the road on a fast left-hander resulted in getting caught on a tree stump.

With help from a group of spectators they managed to get the car back on the stage, although with over ten minutes lost the chance of a podium finish was now out of the question.

Therefore, Cave’s strategy changed and instead of targeting a top overall result, he aimed to show what they could do by setting as many top stage times as possible.

With only minor cosmetic damage to the rear of the Hyundai, the afternoon saw them go on to achieve their quest by setting another two fastest RC2 times before the overnight halt. The PCRS team made the most of the limited service time available and consequently, returned the car to 100 per cent.

On Sunday’s opening stage, Cave repaid their efforts by setting the quickest time by a clear three seconds ahead of class leader Kalle Rovanpera in a Skoda. It was an impressive performance, bearing in mind it was only a 10km run.

Another top-three time on the 15km Power Stage followed, but when he and James went to swap the wheels from front-to-back before the circumnavigation of the Great Orme at Llandudno, they noticed oil on and around the sump guard.

Taking into account their position in the rally, they decided to retire from the event rather than risk any significant mechanical damage.

Whilst it wasn’t the ideal outcome they were hoping for, Cave came away from the rally in the knowledge that given the opportunity, he can be competitive at international RC2 level.

"For us, this event has represented a great team effort and I really must thank everyone involved," added Cave.

"PCRS provided us with a car that ran perfectly throughout the event, which is a fantastic achievement. Also DMACK supplied tyres that worked exceptionally well in the conditions and helped us to set the times that we did.

"We could not have entered the rally without the invaluable help of our sponsors: Trailhead Beef Jerky, who not only backed us in order to launch its new snack, but provided all of the event’s 2000+ volunteer marshals with a complimentary pack of products.

"Further support came from DMACK, Intervino, H N Nuttals Foodservice, Humphreys & Faulkes of Newtown, Atech Racing, Walero, Speedline Corse and Cave Equine, to whom we are most grateful.

"I must also thank our supporters and followers, be it at the side of the stage cheering us on or keeping up to date with our progress on social media. We hope you enjoyed watching!"

Cave and his team are currently working on plans for 2019 and hope to make an announcement soon.