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| Rally hopeful passes driving test | Rally hopeful passes driving test |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A teenage rally driver has passed his UK driving test, so he can make his "dream come true" and compete in the Wales Rally GB early next month. | A teenage rally driver has passed his UK driving test, so he can make his "dream come true" and compete in the Wales Rally GB early next month. |
| Tom Cave's success means the 17-year-old from Aberdyfi in Gwynedd will be one of the youngest drivers in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). | Tom Cave's success means the 17-year-old from Aberdyfi in Gwynedd will be one of the youngest drivers in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). |
| He had already passed his theory test and booked a series of lessons to tailor his practical skills. | He had already passed his theory test and booked a series of lessons to tailor his practical skills. |
| Tom already has an international rally licence. | Tom already has an international rally licence. |
| Speaking after passing the test, Tom said he was "delighted". | Speaking after passing the test, Tom said he was "delighted". |
| Tom Cave has been working his endurance skills for the rally | |
| "It was the last hurdle to get over before I could take the start of Wales Rally GB and it's a huge relief to have it out of the way. | "It was the last hurdle to get over before I could take the start of Wales Rally GB and it's a huge relief to have it out of the way. |
| "Now I can concentrate on the rally and my preparations for the most important motor sport event of my life." | "Now I can concentrate on the rally and my preparations for the most important motor sport event of my life." |
| The teenager, who began driving when he was 12 years old and started his rallying career at 15, has already competed in Latvia for two seasons. | The teenager, who began driving when he was 12 years old and started his rallying career at 15, has already competed in Latvia for two seasons. |
| The Wales Rally GB runs from 4 to 7 December and Tom recognises that he will probably be closer to the end of the field in his Group N Ford Fiesta ST. | The Wales Rally GB runs from 4 to 7 December and Tom recognises that he will probably be closer to the end of the field in his Group N Ford Fiesta ST. |
| "Ever since I can remember, it's been my dream to compete on the UK round of the WRC," he said. | "Ever since I can remember, it's been my dream to compete on the UK round of the WRC," he said. |
| "Some of my earliest memories are spectating on the event with my father, who was an avid fan and always took me to watch when he wasn't competing himself." | "Some of my earliest memories are spectating on the event with my father, who was an avid fan and always took me to watch when he wasn't competing himself." |
| Tom passed his test on Tuesday - a week after his 17th birthday | |
| He said competing alongside some of the best drivers in the world was an "unbelievable opportunity, and not one to be taken lightly". | He said competing alongside some of the best drivers in the world was an "unbelievable opportunity, and not one to be taken lightly". |
| "I fully expect to be one of the tail-end Charlies at the event," he added. | "I fully expect to be one of the tail-end Charlies at the event," he added. |
| "I think the conditions will be pretty rough by the time we get to the stages, especially on the second run through." | "I think the conditions will be pretty rough by the time we get to the stages, especially on the second run through." |
| The aim was to "plough through and make sure we enjoy every mile," he added. | The aim was to "plough through and make sure we enjoy every mile," he added. |
| As part of his preparations Tom has been testing tyres with former Production Car World Rally Champion Martin Rowe. | As part of his preparations Tom has been testing tyres with former Production Car World Rally Champion Martin Rowe. |
| Mr Rowe said his skills had "developed massively" over the past year. | Mr Rowe said his skills had "developed massively" over the past year. |
| They have also been working on the teenager's endurance skills. | They have also been working on the teenager's endurance skills. |
| "We've carried out several endurance runs, since Wales Rally GB will feature much longer stages than he's used to, as well as some running in darkness," Mr Rowe said. | "We've carried out several endurance runs, since Wales Rally GB will feature much longer stages than he's used to, as well as some running in darkness," Mr Rowe said. |
| "He coped very well with the demands he is likely to meet on the event and from what I saw over the two days, should do well in December," he added. | "He coped very well with the demands he is likely to meet on the event and from what I saw over the two days, should do well in December," he added. |