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2 days Ago
The Dungannon driver was once again at his imperious best as he followed up his Rallye Serras de Fafe success at the start of March with a win at Rallye Casinos do Algarve over the weekend. In dry, warm and settled conditions in the country’s southernmost region, the 45-year-old ended the two-leg competition with 13 seconds in hand over Spain’s Dani Sordo. The sting was immediately taken out of what promised to be a compelling battle between the two former World Rally Championship regulars when the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 Sordo was piloting developed a turbo problem early on Friday, dropping him down to 14th.
Although he mounted an impressive comeback on Saturday, recording quickest times on all six speed tests including the end-of-rally Power Stage, he could not catch Meeke. “I still had to drive at a good rhythm and try to avoid making any mistakes,” said Meeke. “Dani’s speed was impressive, I have to say, but there was nothing more I could do as the difference in road positions – first on the road and 15th – is a really big advantage.
“We maybe didn’t choose the tyre for the final loop perfectly, we struggled a bit with wear towards the final stage and, in the Power Stage, it was a case of not having any tyres left. “But I was happy to sacrifice the Power Stage, one point less for me was one point more for Dani. To take the victory – and clinch two in a row – it is the perfect start to the season.
” Although Meeke has quickly gelled with the Toyota Gazoo Racing-developed Yaris Rally2 since announcing his move away from the Team Hyundai Portugal squad, he reckons the competition in the Portuguese Rally Championship is going to regroup and come back much stronger from Round Three onward – including his close friend and rival Sordo. “In Portugal, I have seen over the last season and a half, the guys seem to be quite a lot stronger on tarmac, so the four sealed-surface events towards the end of the year could be tough,” said the former Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion. “Dani seemed to have really good speed this weekend – and I am sure he is going to get faster and faster.
“From my side, I am still learning the car, but the Yaris is fantastic, I feel so comfortable in it. “It is honestly amazing to drive and for sure I think it is going to be an interesting season.” Before his next appearance in the national series, Meeke is travelling to New Zealand for the Otago Rally.
He won on his first visit 12 months previously and is being reunited with the same historic-spec Ford Escort Mk2 that carried him to glory on that occasion..
