Kris Meeke targets a good points finish on Ypres Rally

WIWMEEKE%3b136 Kris Meeke targets a good points finish on Ypres Rally

Photo: ©willyweyens-rallyworld

Kris Meeke heads into this weekend's Ypres Rally leading the IRC series following back-to-back victories on the previous two rounds.

The Peugeot UK driver dominated the Brazil and Azores rallies, with a controlled performance in both gravel events, much to the delight of his long time supporter and boss Marc van Dalen.

The goal in Belgium, for Meeke, will be quite different this time as the asphalt event is very much a specialist affair, favouring experienced locals such as Duval and Loix who have an innate knowledge of the roads.

Meeke's priority will be a good points finish in the Peugeot 207 S2000 in order to consolidate his championship ambitions.

Speaking in the Belfast Telegraph, Meeke said:

I’ve grown up, I’ve matured. I realize now there are rallies where you just have to take the best result you can get, be it third or fifth or whatever. You take the points and move on. And this could be one of those rallies.

I’m pleased that when we have gone to places that are new to all the drivers, like Brazil and the Azores, I’ve been fit to win, but Ypres is new to me whereas my team-mate Freddie, for instance, has been doing it for years and has won it six or seven times. The idea that I could beat him with the two of us in exactly the same cars would be crazy.

WIWMeeke%3b181 Kris Meeke targets a good points finish on Ypres Rally

Meeke added:

And there are several others here just like him including Duval, possibly the second fastest tarmac driver in the world after Sebastien Loeb, and Patrick Snijers who is a real Belgian master.

In fact I think there are six or seven drivers who could win this rally. I’d like to believe I’m one of them but not at the risk of blowing my real target — the championship. A good strong finish is what I’m after.

Meeke getting to grips with the specialist nature of the Ypres asphalt during testing