Peugeot UK keen on more IRC action in 2012

Peugeot UK could continue its participation in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for a fourth season in 2012.

The importer began its involvement in the series in 2009 when it backed Kris Meeke’s IRC title triumph in a 207 Super 2000 run by the Belgian Kronos Racing operation.

Meeke was third in 2010 before he handed over the reins to countryman Guy Wilks, who is embarking on a full programme of IRC events this season alongside co-driver Phil Pugh.

A spokesperson for Peugeot UK said: “Nothing is decided and it’s really far too early to be making any decisions because it’s something we tend to do when we have our budget meetings in September. But we’re really pleased with the IRC programme. For sure we’d like to be winning but we also have to be realistic because it’s a very competitive championship. The dealer network interest [in the UK] has been brilliant, much more so than when we started in 2009. They’re really behind the project and Peugeot Sport is too. We like the IRC and we hope to be here next year."

Wilks is sixth in the IRC drivers’ table following his run to fifth on last month’s GEKO Ypres Rally. The 30-year-old’s best result this season was his third place on Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.