Peugeot Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle clinch IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge Drivers’ title

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Win in Sanremo secures titles

Peugeot Kris Meeke (NI) and Paul Nagle (ROI) are on top of the world after winning the Sanremo Rally to clinch the Drivers’ Championship in the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Peugeot has already retained its Manufacturers’ title.

Starting the final day in fourth place, the pair demolished the field in the opening two stages, and despite a minor brake scare on Stage 7, came home to win in great style.

It was the opening stage of the day – SS5 – where they did the initial damage, setting a time a clear ten seconds ahead of the next best driver, Italy’s Renato Travalglia.  Luca Rossetti took the lead as overnight leader Paulo Andreucci faded.  Kris meanwhile was now up to third.

Final Times – SS5

The Meeke/Nagle onslaught continued on Stage 6.  Kris again set the fastest time, and from fourth overnight, now led the rally by 11.4 seconds from Luca Rossetti.  It had been a magnificent morning’s work.

Final Times – SS6

But rally is a strange sport: just as you think everything is going well, it comes and bites you savagely.  Kris bled the brakes on the Peugeot 207 S2000 before the ultra-short Stage 7 but made an error.  The result – no brakes for the stage.  He lost time to Luca Rossetti, and allowed the rest of the field to close the gap.  Kris’s lead over Rossetti was now down to 3.1 seconds.

Final Times – SS7

The lunchtime service halt was a tense time for driver, co-driver and team.  With Jan Kopecky, their only rival for the drivers’ title already out on Day One, Kris and Paul could sew up it all up on the remaining 2 stages.  But it’s the oldest rule in the Rally Book that, to finish first, first you have to finish.

This was the point where Meeke and Nagle showed their mettle.  Straight away they went out and set fastest time on Stage 8, restoring the gap over Rossetti.

Final Times – SS8

That left Meeke and Nagle with the title in sight, and they did not disappoint their many fans.  They opted for a slight note of caution on the final stage, but came home to win the Rally and the Championship title.  The celebrations afterwards were packed with raw emotion, lasting long into the night.

Final Times – SS9

Final Overall Results

Drivers’ Championship

Manufacturers’ Championship