MID WALES rally star Tom Cave says that he has a point to prove when he competes on the prestigious Wales Rally GB, the penultimate round of the FIA World Rally Championship this weekend.

With much of the event’s competitive mileage taking place in the north Wales forests, many of the stages represent familiar territory for Cave, who will be contesting this World event for the fifth time.

Having impressed when driving a Hyundai i20 R5 earlier this year by leading various rounds of the Brit-ish Rally Championship, and finishing third in the WRC2 category on Neste Rally Finland, the talented 25-year old, from Aberdyfi, returns to a Ford Fiesta R5 for Rally GB.

The 25 year-old has driven a similar car on the event twice before, and was second behind the wheel of an R5 Fiesta in the MSA British Rally Championship last year.

“After a season that promised so much, I was eager to round off my year on my home World Championship event, against some of the best R5 drivers there are,” he said.

“My most recent event was Rally Finland and, after finishing third in WRC2 - and with a Finnish driver winning the class - I really want to see if I can turn the tables on my home event, here in Wales.”

Cave will be partnered by regular co-driver James Morgan, from Hirwaun, who also brings with him a wealth of experience when if comes to his home country’s forests.

The machine they will drive is a brand new, latest specification Fiesta R5, prepared and run by Dom Buckley RSC - a team that Cave has already worked with previously.

“I really enjoy competing in the Welsh forests, not just because they are close to where I live, but because the stages are fantastic - some of the best in the world - and when you get them right, nowhere can give you that same buzz,” Cave said.

“So, with an area, a car, a co-driver and a team that’s familiar to me, I’m really hoping that it’s going to be a successful combination.

“Looking at the route, one of the stages runs less than 10 miles away from where I live. However, you can never be complacent, as the conditions at this time of year can change extremely quickly. I have to be sure I’m on the top of my game.”

To get acquainted to the new Dom Buckley RSC prepared Ford Fiesta R5, Cave has completed two full-day’s of testing, with one in the Carno forest and the other at the Sweet Lamb complex in Llangurig.

“The weather was horrendous, it rained continuously during the first day of testing and then Storm Brian did its worst during the second,” he said. “I don’t think that in all my eight years of rallying, I’ve ever driven in conditions like that.

“But even though it was very wet and slippery during the test, the car felt great, and the latest version of the Fiesta R5 is a real improvement.

“It felt sharper and more responsive, and the engine is stronger too.

“I must admit that having driven the Hyundai i20 R5 earlier this year, I thought the Ford may not be as competitive in certain circumstances, but M-Sport have done a great job since the last time I drove one.

“I’m feeling as ready as I can be at this point before the event. As I’ve said before, having been beaten by a Finn in Finland, I’m now looking to turn the tables here in Wales.”

The Dayinsure Wales Rally GB represents the penultimate round of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship. It commences on Thursday (26th) evening with a spectator stage at Tir Prince on the Flintshire coast. Friday sees six stages in mid Wales, followed by a further six stages in the north Wales forests - plus a spectator stage at Cholmondley Castle - on Saturday.

Sunday will see the route remain in north Wales and features another five stages, before the ceremonial finish in Llandudno. All of the event’s service halts take place at Deeside Industrial Park.