IRC champion Meeke battling fever in Azores

Kris Meeke’s team boss Marc van Dalen has confirmed his star driver is suffering from a fever.

Meeke began to feel ill after leaving service prior to stage eight of Sata Rallye Açores but doggedly fought on, even climbing from fifth to fourth in the overall standings on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge round.

“Kris has a fever and is not 100 per cent,” said van Dalen. “Our doctor has done what he can to help him but you cannot give so much medication because of the regulations.”

Meeke’s co-driver Paul Nagle added: “He’s lost a lot of fluid and doesn’t feel well at all.”