TOM Cave, from Aberdyfi, scored an impressive third-place finish in the fiercely contested WRC2 category on the Wales Rally GB last weekend.

After three days of competition in the forests of mid and north Wales, Cave and co-driver James Morgan, from Hirwaun, driving their Dom Buckley RSC prepared and M-Sport built Ford Fiesta R5, claimed their second podium position in as many FIA World Rally Championship stages.

Newly-crowned WRC2 champion Pontus Tidemand, from Sweden, meanwhile ended his season in style as he cruised to a fifth victory in the Championship.

He was never headed during three days of tough competition on the wet and muddy forest stages that characterise the final European event on the calendar.

After steadily building a comfortable lead on the first two days, he eased to a 1m 54.4sec victory on Sunday.

Cave, 25, started the final day in second place, but with Eric Camilli breathing down his neck, he knew he couldn’t slacken his pace.

Unfortunately for Cave, a spin close to the start of the Gwydir stage gave Camilli the opening he was looking for, and he moved ahead to take second after 21 stages.

The result ensured Camilli finished as runner-up in the WRC 2 category this year, whilst Cave finished 8.9 seconds behind his French rival.

Scotland’s David Bogie scored the best WRC result of his career as he guided his Skoda Fabia R5 to fourth place, 32.8secs behind Cave.

“That’s mission accomplished,” said Cave. “We came here looking to end the season on a high, so to score a WRC2 podium in the two WRC events we’ve entered this year is fantastic, especially against world-class drivers that have factory support. It’s as much as we could have hoped for, and I am over the moon with the result.

“It’s even more rewarding to do it on your local event, and the fans were out on mass, and it was really great to see so much support.

“Of course, it was fantastic day for Welsh rallying, and I must congratulate Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Daniel Barrit for claiming their first WRC victory, and what a place to achieve it.

“Congratulations go to M-Sport for securing both the World manufacturers’ and Drivers’ title on this event.

“As well as thanking the fans for cheering us on, I must also thank everyone who supported me. Firstly, to James for doing yet another fantastic job from the other seat; to Dom Buckley RSC for providing us with such a such a well prepared car; and to DMACK for the tyres that not only helped us get onto the WRC2 podium, but enabled Elfyn to claim his outright win.

“Thanks also Walero for supplying the effective temperature controlling base-layers; to Atech Racing for the racewear and to Trefeddian Hotel in Aberdyfi.”