Kris Meeke is out of the Roger Albert Clark Rally with an engine issue.
The former World Rally Championship star was one of several high-profile entrants competing on this year’s biennial five-day historic event which traverses Scotland, England and Wales.
On the opening Welsh leg, Meeke and co-driver Noel O’Sullivan had been competitive from the off in their Ford Escort Mk2, moving into the lead of the rally after SS5.
But the very next test would spell disaster as they stopped on stage with an engine problem.
Thanks to the assistance of stage-side spectators and marshals, Meeke made it out of the stage but was forced into retirement. He had hoped to restart to complete the rest of the rally – which ends on Monday – but to no avail.
“Sadly our RAC adventure ended on SS6 due to an issue with the engine and we won’t be able to restart,” Meeke said.
“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. Huge thanks for all the effort from Wales Motorsport to make this event a reality. And again to all my sponsors that made it possible.
“We will be back!”
After the first day, Osian Pryce leads Oliver Solberg by just one second in their pair of Escorts.
