Tom Cave, who at 18 is one of the youngest drivers competing in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, will embark on an expanded programme of events in 2010.
Briton Cave announced in January that he would contest at least four rounds of the Eurosport-backed series this year in a Davies Motorsport Services-run Proton Satria Neo S2000, which he will drive for the first time on Rally d’Italia Sardegna from 4-6 June.
He has now confirmed he will also tackle the Tarmac-based Geko Ypres Rally, Rali Vinho Madeira and Barum Czech Rally Zlín, plus the gravel-based Sata Rallye Açores and RACMSA Rally of Scotland. He could also appear on the mixed-surface Rallye Sanremo and Cyprus Rally.
Although the Welsh Davies team will run Cave’s ex-Alister McRae Proton (pictured), it will be based within the factory Proton’s team service area on events and receive technical support from the Malaysian manufacturer’s engineers.
“I tested the car very briefly a few weeks ago and it felt amazing,” said Cave. “The engine, brakes and suspension were fantastic. I was a little apprehensive about that first drive but the Proton team gave me some points and by the end of the day it felt very natural. They were also very complimentary about the way I drove the car and my speed, which was extremely encouraging.”
Cave plans to begin an extensive testing programme in April in preparation for his IRC bid.
Meanwhile, the factory Proton team, run by the British MEM operation, is set to field a brace of Satria Neos on the bulk of the remaining IRC rounds this season. Scot Alister McRae will pilot one car with several drivers under consideration for the second seat.