A patched-up Kris Meeke overcame changeable weather and evolving stages to begin the defence of this Portuguese Rally Championship title in convincing fashion with Stuart Loudon.
Four weeks after undergoing surgery to fix a damaged Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) sustained in a flat track moto accident, Meeke was back behind the wheel winning again.
His involvement in Rali Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas e Cabeceiras de Basto was made possible with a leg brace specially constructed for him from carbon and titanium.
On his competitive debut in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Yaris Rally2 as part of the Sports & You team, the 45-year-old romped to a 32.2-second victory from the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 of Dani Sordo – the man who stepped in to fill the seat he vacated at Team Hyundai Portugal.
Meeke’s main threat early on came from Martins Sesks, with the Latvian briefly moving to the top of the event’s timesheets only to see his victory hopes slip away when his M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 car had to be parked up with power steering failure.
“It was a crazy rally,” said Meeke. “The weather was unbelievable and the last two stages, I mean, woah, I do not think I have ever driven in such muddy and slippery conditions.
“It was not helped by the fact that the tyre we use, it does not have such an open tread pattern in terms of some of the other tyres the guys are using, but it was still a good weekend.
“I am so happy with the car – Toyota Gazoo Racing have really designed a special chassis, I am happy to be able to take the wheel of it and the work of Stuart Loudon.”
Kris Meeke is pleased with a strong start to his Portuguese Rally Championship title defence
Kris Meeke gets to grips on his competitive debut with Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Yaris Rally2
Closer to home, Aaron McLaughlin produced an equally convincing performance to end his long wait for a first win in the Northern Ireland Rally Championship on Saturday.
McLaughlin, with Darren Curran on the notes, took the spoils at Bishopscourt aboard his ageing Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 by nearly 16 seconds from former champions and Ford Fiesta Rally2 exponents Stuart Biggerstaff in second and Derek McGarrity in third.
Title holder Jonny Greer, meanwhile, crashed on his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 debut and is a doubt for the West Cork Rally – the First Round of the Irish Tarmac Championship.
“We have been the bridesmaid for four years at this event, so we are delighted to take our first win in the Northern Ireland Rally Championship,” said McLaughlin.
“The result leaves us in a good position for the next few rounds of the Championship, so fingers crossed.”