Meeke excited by new IRC rivals

Kris Meeke has welcomed the prospect of taking on an influx of new competitors in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season.

The IRC title-holder was speaking following confirmation that Nasser Al-Attiyah and Andreas Mikkelsen will contest several rounds of the series.

Al-Attiyah will enter six events in a Skoda Fabia S2000, while Mikkelsen will take part on seven rounds in a Ford Fiesta S2000.

“It’s brilliant and great for the IRC that there are going to be more new drivers and different cars coming in,” said Peugeot UK driver Meeke. “We know Mikkelsen is quick and Nasser is going to be very strong, particularly in Argentina. Then there’s Martin Prokop, who is going to do three rallies in a Fiesta. It’s a case of more the merrier as far as I’m concerned.”