Meeke ready to fight

A few days before the start of the Principe de Asturias Rally, the competitors began reconnaissance today. The leader of the IRC championship, Kris Meeke (Peugeot 207), enters the final stretch with a three-point lead over Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia).

Published on 08/09/2009 à 16:55

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The ninth round of the IRC championship takes place this weekend in Spain near Oviedo. For the 46th edition of Rally Principe de Asturias, Kris Meeke is the leader with three points ahead of Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia), finally present. Indeed, while the Skoda program for the season was due to end on the evening of the Barum Rallye, the Czech firm finally decided to continue.

Throughout the 15 special stages of this asphalt round of the IRC, Kris Meeke will try to widen the gap on his direct pursuers with only three rallies remaining this year. To put all the chances on his side, the Northern Irishman even took part last weekend in the Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine on asphalt. The Briton distinguished himself on the roads of Haute-Savoie, notably setting a best time ahead of several WRC. " We rode well on these roads and that could help us for the next IRC rounds ", did he declare.

For this rally, there will be many contenders for victory with the presence of both drivers Peugeot Kronos, Nicolas Vouilloz and Freddy Loix, as well as the Italian Giandomenico Basso (Abarth Grande Punto) who won on the asphalt of Madeira at the beginning of August. Finally, Toni Gardemeister (Opel Corsa S2000) will also be there, as will Guy Wilks (Proton Satria Neo S2000) or Julien Maurin (Skoda Fabia).