2013 MSA British Rally Championship front-runner Tom Cave has been named amongst the twelve-strong field for the new-for-2014 Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy.
The new championship sees twelve drivers from eleven countries battle it out over five full three-day FIA World Rally Championship events in identical M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta R2’s.
The 22 year old Welshman makes the step up to WRC level after two full seasons in the British Rally Championship. After finishing runner-up behind Keith Cronin in 2012, Cave was once again in the thick of the championship battle last season, five top four finishes in six events putting him third overall in a Citroen DS3 R3.
The DMACK-backed series offers a fully-paid WRC2 programme in a M-Sport Fiesta R5 in 2015 for the inaugural winner, and features a high-calibre field including 2013 Junior WRC front-runners Yeray Lemes, Jose Suarez and Sander Parn, a well as Max Vatanen, son of 1981 WRC champion Ari.
“I am incredibly excited by the prospect of contesting the 2014 Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy. When it was announced, it was clear that this was the prime option for us this year,” said Cave.
“The Drive DMACK series looks to be a superb concept. It is very similar to the Junior WRC series from last year, with five rounds instead of six. However, each rally runs over the full three days so we don’t lose any of the experience that the final day offers and as the cars are all identical, the emphasis is on the crew to get their set-up and approach to the event right.
“The season doesn’t get underway for a couple of months but there is still plenty to do; the fitness campaign starts in earnest now and I’m scouring the internet for footage of the stages for the first couple of rounds to get a feel for them.”
Cave will once again run with title backing from Morris Lubricants this season, though there will a change in co-driver. Ieuan Thomas, with whom Cave competed last season, is unable to make the WRC move due to work obligations, meaning Cave’s former colleague Craig Parry is returning to the co-drivers seat.
“It is a shame that Ieuan isn’t able to work with us this year – he was extremely professional and dedicated last year – and we had some superb success. I have a very long-standing relationship with Craig and he was a natural choice when it became clear that Ieuan wouldn’t be able to join us,” added Cave.
“It’s going to be a challenge but the stakes and potential rewards are huge. This is where it starts to get very serious indeed.”
The 2014 Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy campaign kicks off with Rallye De Portugal in April, and then takes in LOTOS Rally Poland, Nestle Oil Rally Finland, ADAC Rallye Deutschland and Rallye De France. The series does not include Wales Rally GB, allowing Cave to explore other opportunities for the WRC season finale.
