Kris Meeke dominates Wales Rally GB shakedown

On his land, Chris Meeke didn't wait long to shine at Wales Rally GB. The pilot of the Toyota Gazoo Racing set the best time in the shakedown of the British event, completing the 4,68 km of the Gwydir course in 2'54″1, a time set on his second pass.

The former Citroën Racing driver is ahead of the residents of his former team, namely Esapekka Lappi and Sébastien Ogier, pointés à 1″1, tout comme le revenant Elfyn Evans (M-Sport Ford), de retour après trois rallyes manqués suite à une blessure au dos durant l’été en Estonie.

Followed by Teemu Suninen (M-Sport Ford) at 1″2, then Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), auteur du sixième chrono à 1″4. Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) prend la 7e place à 1″9 devant Ott Tänak (Toyota), discreet 8th at 2″3. Craig Breen, back in a WRC with the Hyundai i20 Coupe, and Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) completed the top 10 ahead of Pontus Tidemand (M-Sport Ford).

In WRC 2 Pro, Kalle Rovanperä (Skoda Fabia R5 Evo) set the best time, while Oliver Solberg (Volkswagen Polo R5) dominated in WRC2… ahead of his father Petter, beaten by 2″7. The next generation seems ready!

Shakedown Wales Rally GB standings:

1. Kris Meeke (Toyota Yaris) – 2’54″1
2. e.g. Esapekka Lappi (Citroën C3) at 1″1
2. e.g. Elfyn Evans (Ford Fiesta) at 1″1
2. e.g. Sébastien Ogier (Citroën C3) at 1″1
5. Teemu Suninen (Ford Fiesta) at 1″2
6. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) at 1″4
7. Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota Yaris) at 1″9
8. Ott Tänak (Toyota Yaris) at 2″3
9. Craig Breen (Hyundai i20) at 2″7
10. Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai i20) at 3″1

Wales Rally GB will begin this evening at 20 p.m. with a short super-special at Outlon Park. The event will resume tomorrow morning and will be followed live via our live-text.