Kris Meeke is a Toyota driver once more, as the Northern Irishman will tackle this year’s Portugese series at the wheel of a GR Yaris Rally2.
Meeke’s switch from Hyundai to Toyota was confirmed at a press conference in Portugal on Monday. He will test the car shortly before the season-opening Rali Serras de Fafe (March 7/8).
The five-time World Rally winner told DirtFish: “For me, at this stage of my career, to be still getting gigs like this in a top-line rally car in arguably the best national series in the world is amazing. I have to hand it to Ze Pedro Fontes [owner of Sports&You, the team running the car], he’s the one who’s able to pull all the strings together to make everything happen.”
Asked about the switch from Hyundai to Toyota, Meeke added: “Both importers are part of the Caetano Group, so for me it’s just a different car and some different overalls. I’ve been in the Hyundai for a year and a half and now it’s time for something different.
“Honestly, this thing came about through horrific circumstances after Craig’s [Breen] accident. I didn’t know whether to turn it left or right, whether it was the right thing to do or not the right thing to do.
“I did it at the time, not knowing whether I wanted to go back competing, and I just loved it. Basically, I’m like a one-trick pony. It’s the only thing I sort of half-know how to do well!
Meeke's car and plan was unveiled at a press conference on Monday
“Like I said, to be still in this stage of my career doing something I love is mega. It’s at a good level, you know: great cars, great team, fantastic people and fans and mega rallies. The first four rallies of the championship are all on gravel – the fourth is Rally Portugal and the three before are all using roads which have been in the world championship.”
Meeke, who won five of the eight Portuguese rounds last season, couldn’t praise the series organizers highly enough.
“Is it the best national championship in the world?” he pondered. “I’m not sure I can think of a better one. At the press conference today, we had all the national media and television stations – it’s all over the national media. These people just get it. They do it right, they do it proper. It’s just nice to be part of a championship that continues to promote rallying with people with a bit of backbone to support it.”
Scotsman Stuart Loudon will continue to co-drive Meeke this season.
