AFTER a successful test in South Wales on Monday, Tom Cave says is ready to impress at the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB, Britain’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship, takes place this week.

Monday’s test saw the 26-year old from Aberdovey back behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 R5 for the first time since finishing third in the WRC2 category on the Neste Rally Finland in July last year.

It didn’t take long for the Welsh rally ace to re-acclimatise himself to the car and, with just a few tweaks made by the Philip Case Rally Sport crew, he was quickly up to competitive pace.

"It was great to back in a Hyundai again", said Cave. "The one I’m using on Rally GB is a 2018 model and it felt even better than the cars I drove last year in the British Rally Championship and Finland.

"I was very happy with the test. I came away feeling comfortable in the car and confident we can fight for class honours."

He added: "I haven’t entered as many rallies as I would normally this year, so it would be fair to say that I’m looking forward to this event more than ever.

"Living in north Wales, I feel at home on the stages; the car feels great and James Morgan (co-driver) and I are as ready as we can be. I can’t wait to get started!"

The Dayinsure Wales Rally GB gets underway on Thursday evening from the Deeside service park, before the Visit Conwy Tir Prince spectator stage near Rhyl.

Friday features eight stages in north Wales, with Saturday comprising a further nine in north and mid Wales, one of which runs just a few miles from where Cave lives.

Sunday is the final day, when the route heads back to north Wales for four stages in forests directly south of Llandudno, followed by the fifth and final stage around the Great Orme headland with the flying finish along the sea front.The stages are set for a spectacular scrap for supremacy on an event that will pit some of the world’s biggest motor sport stars against both the clock and each other.One of the most historic and popular events on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar, it is renowned for pushing drivers and co-drivers to the very limit in their pursuit of the coveted Peall Trophy.This year’s new-look route – featuring 23 gruelling speed tests, totalling just shy of 200 competitive miles – will be no exception.With a thrilling three-way title tussle in prospect, with Hyundai ace Thierry Neuville, Toyota star Ott Tänak and Ford’s defending world champion Sébastien Ogier separated by just 23 points - with 90 still in play over the remaining three rallies – the outcome in Wales could prove pivotal to the destiny of this year’s crown.