Podium keeps title hopes alive, says Meeke

Kris Meeke says his second-place finish on Sata Rallye Açores last weekend has kept alive his hopes of defending his Intercontinental Rally Challenge title.

After failing to score on the last two events, Meeke’s capture of the runner-up spot and the accompanying eight points on the Atlantic archipelago has put him back into contention with five rounds of the season remaining.

He said: “For sure it’s a bit of a gift of some points but hopefully this afternoon is a turning point for us. We won’t give up.”

Kronos Racing boss Marc van Dalen, who runs Meeke’s Peugeot UK-backed 207 Super 2000, also believes his driver’s title chances are not over, adding: “The championship is still alive and everything is still possible. We will continue to fight like we did from the beginning of the year until the end to try to be champion again.”