TOM Cave celebrated his first British Rally Championship (BRC) win in a four wheel drive car at last weekend’s West Cork Rally.

The Aberdovey ace was joined by co-driver James Morgan in a Hyundai i20 R5 in navigating victory by just 4.8 seconds from reigning BRC champion Matt Edwards and third placed Josh Moffett in Ford Fiesta R5s.

The Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally formed the second round of the BRC with the event contested over 200km of iconic roads in testing conditions.

FIA World Rally Championship regulars Craig Breen and Paul Nagle took a comfortable overall win but it was the fight in Britain’s premier rallying series that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the end of the event.

Moffett opened a commanding early lead only to suffer driveshaft woes on stage six to end his hopes.

Up stepped 2018 British Rally Champion and series leader Matt Edwards who opened a slender over night lead over Cave.

Cave, who was forced to retire with a double puncture in the season opener in the Cambrian Rally, looked to kick start his campaign on day two and emerged in confident mood.

Cave and Edwards traded the lead throughout the day but the Welshman was not to be denied and celebrated his first four wheel drive success by 4.8 seconds.

“The feeling of finally winning in the British Rally Championship again is brilliant,” said Cave. “It was a difficult first day but we pushed hard on the second. We gave it everything and we have been rewarded with first place in a BRC event.

“After the pace on day one I felt there was more to come and we had a good feeling on the first stage on the second day and we took a lot of time out of Matt Edwards so I felt we could keep pushing.

Cave has now set his sights on the Pirelli Rally.

“We are back in the mix and now it’s important to finish the Pirelli Rally which is up next and keep moving forward to close the gap on Matt at the top of the points standings.”