Rali Ceredigion winner Kris Meeke is working on a deal to contest the final round of the European Rally Championship season in Portugal.
Meeke made his first ERC start in 20 years at last weekend’s event in Wales, beating new champion Teemu Suninen by 38.6 seconds.
While there had been reports online that Meeke would also compete in Rally Six Cities North of Portugal on October 23-25, he told DirtFish a deal wasn’t yet in place.
“For sure I want to be there,” Meeke said. “We’re working on it, let’s see.”
Meeke would be a strong favorite for victory in Portugal, considering he’s 2024’s Portuguese national champion and dominated Rali Ceredigion with 10 stage wins from 16 tests.
“It was a tricky rally weather wise, but honestly they’re some of the best Tarmac roads in the world,” Meeke said, reflecting on his Welsh success.
Meeke is closing on a deal to contest the final event in Fafe as well as Ceredigion
“These roads reward commitment and as a rally driver that’s what you want. The buzz that you get – you only have to go and watch one of the onboards: it’s so busy and technical. Noel on the first time with me in a Rally2, to read my notes on these technical roads, fair play to him it was a good job.
“I enjoyed it,” he added. “It’s Toyota’s first win on Tarmac in ERC which is testament to the work we’ve done with Toyota.
“The factory team came to Donegal for a four-day test and we really improved the car, I feel at home in it. And on Michelin tires – when the package is right it makes your job easy.
“Honestly I loved every second of it. I was just chatting to Teemu [Suninen], he said the same: it’s one of the best experiences in a rally car. So yeah they’re blessed with what they have here.”
