TOM Cave and co-driver James Morgan achieved just what they set out to do on Neste Rally Finland - and that was to finish on the WRC2 Class podium.

Driving a New Generation Hyundai i20 R5, the pairing also claimed a credible 15th place overall in the event, the ninth round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Having competed in Finland twice before when contesting the DMACK Drive Trophy in a two-wheel-drive car - and winning the series there in 2015 - Cave was pleased to have secured the drive in a more powerful four-wheel-drive machine.

Cave, from Aberdyfi, and Morgan, of Hirwaun, completed two days of successful testing in the car, owned and run by Sarrazin Motorsport, earlier in the week.

The pre-event shakedown went well and with the opening test completed, the rally restarted on the Friday with 12 more traditional-style Finnish forest stages.

Not completely at-one with the feel of the car on the gravel roads that were made unpredictable due to the morning’s rain, Cave followed a calculated game plan that saw them 6th in WRC2 and 21st overall at the lunch time service halt.

A few adjustments and a fresh set of Dmack tyres made a significant difference in the afternoon, but five kilometres into SS10 they encountered a minor brake problem. Cave managed to get the car to the end of the stage, where they were able to effect repairs.

Although off the front-running pace, they had only dropped around a minute through the remaining three stages, and consequently maintained their position.

Once back in the service park, the team found and fixed the issue, and it was therefore business as usual for Saturday’s eight stages.

Having driven all of them before, including the classic Ouninpohja stage that was tackled once in the morning and again in the afternoon, Cave said he was looking forward to what lay in store.

His positive approach was soon rewarded when, following the Ouninpohja stage - the third of the day - he emerged third of the WRC2 runners, 17th overall.

Following a further push in the afternoon, it was clear that the time previously lost was unlikely to be gained against the Fin Jari Huttunen and Frenchman Quentin Gilbert, in second.

So, for Sunday’s four stages, consolidation was the name of the game and, with Gilbert now over a minute ahead, and Welsh compatriot Osian Pryce over two minutes behind in fourth, the focus was to ensure they brought the Hyundai home still in a podium position.

“While this is one of my favourite rallies and includes some of my favourite stages, it’s still a really tough event,” commented Cave.

“So, with a car that was new to us and with the Hyundai i20 R5 making its debut to this event, I’m really pleased with the result.

“WRC2 is the highest and most competitive category for R5 cars in the world.

“So, to get to the finish having overcome the issues we had during the event, I feel very proud to come away with third in WRC2, finish 15th overall and to have given the i20 R5 its best result in a WRC round.

“My motto is ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ and that phrase has never been more appropriate. I would therefore like to thank all the people and organisations involved for giving us the opportunity to compete in Finland and achieve this result - Dmack Tyres, the Trefeddian Hotel, Atech Racing, Walero Motorsports and Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing.”

He added: “I must also congratulate the Rally Finland organisers for putting on such a good event, plus I have to thank the Sarrazin Motorsport team for their hard work and of course, James, who has done far more than just co-drive this past few days.”