Marc van Dalen believes Kris Meeke can be a winner in next year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge
Image courtesy Motorsport News
Kronos Racing boss Marc van Dalen believes Kris Meeke can be a winner in next year's IRC, according to Motorsport News.
Van Dalen spoke to MN a couple of weeks ago ahead of yesterday's announcement that Kris Meeke will drive a Peugeot UK/Kronos Racing Peugeot 207 S2000 in the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
Marc van Dalen commented to MN:
All our cars would be run to the same level, for that I want to be very clear. We know we have to be very strong next year to beat Abarth and Skoda. With Kris in our team we have the possibility because I believe he can win, I honestly do.
He is a very good guy and very fast. We have a lot of respect for him and he has a lot of respect for us. But he needs a professional team around him to help improve and help him to remain concentrated. This would be the biggest chance of his life to start his career again."
Peugeot UK confirmed the deal yesterday, December 15, to contest the 2009 IRC with Kris Meeke as its driver. The team will contest 9 events in the IRC commencing with Rally Monte Carlo in January.
Kris Meeke's confirmed IRC progamme
• 21-24 January Monaco Monte Carlo Rally
• 05-07 March Brazil Rally Internacional de Curitiba
• 07-09 May Portugal Sata Rally Acores
• 18-20 June Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally
• 30 July-01 August Madeira Rali Vinho Madeira
• 21-23 August Czech Republic Barum Rally Zlin
• 10-12 September Spain Rally Principe de Asturias
• 24-26 September Italy Rally Sanremo
• 19-21 November United Kingdom RAC MSA Rally of Scotland
It is understood drivers would only be able to score on seven rounds next season, meaning Meeke's title challenge would not be compromised if he did not appear on all events. There is also speculation that the Safari Rally may not go ahead leaving 11 events on the calendar.
Videos of Meeke starring at the recent Bettega Memorial
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