Tom Cave Wins Rally of Thailand

The International Rally Driver's Club congratulates Tom Cave after he scored a dominant win for the works PROTON Motorsports team on the Rally of Thailand this weekend, the 20 year-old Welshman driving for the Malaysian manufacturer's team as an official works driver for the first time. The IRDC's youngest member won the two-day rally by more than ten minutes, claiming the fastest time on all but the opening stage to take his first international rally win outside the UK.

Cave, currently leading the MSA British Rally Championship and partnered by regular co-driver Craig Parry, had been called up by the PROTON Motorsports team by virtue of his speed and familiarity with the Satria Neo Super2000 car after competing in a privately-owned and works-supported example during the 2010 season.

His brief for the Rally Of Thailand, a key Proton market, was simple; get to the finish and get the best result possible.

PROTON Motorsports Team Principal Chris Mellors was also understandably pleased with the result; "Tom's performance was spot on," he said. "He found just the right pace, was very sensible and drove an extremely mature rally. He did exactly what was asked of him and got the result that we hoped for. The rally itself was very interesting; good stages, well organised and we really enjoyed it."

Tom's next event will see him return to the UK for the fifth round of the MSA British Rally Championship, the Toddsleap International Rally in Ulster, Northern Ireland in August.

2nd July, 2012