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Meeke on his own against Kopecky
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Kris Meeke on his own against Jan Kopecky With three rounds of the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge still to contest, just three points split the remaining two drivers in the title chase, namely Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke and Skoda driver Jan Kopecky. Peugeot is practically sure of securing the Manufacturers’ crown for the third year running. With support from Peugeot Sport, Kris Meeke prepared for the last two asphalt rallies of the calendar with an entry on last weekend’s Rallye Mont-Blanc where he impressed observers despite suffering a number of mechanical problems. |
| The ninth round of the 2009 IRC is the Rally Principe de Asturias which is based in the capital of Spain’s Asturias region, Oviedo, in the north of the country. In 2008, the two Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg Peugeot 207 Super 2000s finished the event in second and third places in the hands of Nicolas Vouilloz and Freddy Loix respectively. |  |
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"The stages are fantastic," say the drivers. "Some are run high up in the mountains, while others are much faster, although the roads are rarely wide. There are places where the asphalt is new, and of excellent quality. Elsewhere, it tends to be ageing, damaged and covered with gravel, although the grip is relatively consistent, except in those places where the cars cut the corners and drag a coating of stones onto the surface. You can get stages on the same loop that are very different, too," observes Freddy Loix. "The profile of one stage might permit a near-circuit type driving style, while the next calls for a certain amount of improvisation through the corners and over the crests. It is consequently difficult to find an ideal set-up for both. Above all, you need nicely-balanced, progressive handling." |
| Neither of the two Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg team-mates is still in contention for the 2009 title, and the only Peugeot driver still in with a chance of winning the championship is Kris Meeke (Peugeot UK). To help his bid to take the crown, Peugeot Sport provided him with a development car for last weekend’s Rallye Mont-Blanc, a round of the French Championship. Even though this car complied strictly with the specific regulations that apply to the IRC (a weight handicap of 50kg), not only did he dominate all the other 207 Super 2000 runners, but he also mixed it regularly with the WRC drivers to collect one fastest time and five second-best times. |  |
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Although mechanical problems prevented him from being classified, this practice run ahead of the IRC’s two remaining asphalt rounds certainly stands to be beneficial when his clash with Jan Kopecky resumes in Spain. In addition to these two drivers, the fight for victory is also likely to include last year’s winner Giandomenico Basso (Fiat) and Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg’s Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz who will both be out for revenge after an unlucky year to date. Meanwhile, the 2008 Coupe 206 winner Denis Millet is this year driving a 207 RC Rallye in the IRC and currently tops the two-wheel drive standings. |
Timetable of Rally Principe de Asturias : Click here