PEUGEOT UK TO CONTEST 2009 INTERCONTINENTAL RALLY CHALLENGE (IRC) WITH KRIS MEEKE AND KRONOS
Peugeot UK today confirmed their intention to field a Peugeot 207 S2000 driven by Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle in next year’s IRC rally championship.
Peugeot UK has teamed up with Kronos Racing to prepare and support a Peugeot 207 S2000 in next year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC).
The IRC Challenge will be contested over 12 rounds starting with the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in January and finishing in November with the RAC MSA Rally of Scotland.
Driving the Peugeot UK car will be Kris Meeke who has previously driven for Kronos, when he was third overall in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2005. Kris, previous winner of the British Super 1600 and British Junior championship, will be co-driven by Paul Nagle.
The Peugeot 207 S2000 has already become the car to beat in the IRC challenge where it has secured the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championship, in both 2007 and 2008.
Kris Meeke “This is an incredible opportunity for both me and my co-driver Paul Nagle! It brings my career somewhat full circle, as my first introduction to rallying was through a Peugeot UK supported competition in 2000. Some awesome and diverse challenges lie ahead in the 2009 IRC, but we can rest assured that with the support and championship winning pedigree of both Peugeot and Kronos, we will have the best opportunity to prove our abilities in the coming season!”
Pierre Louis Colin (Managing Director Peugeot UK) “I am very pleased we have been able to enter next year’s IRC championship with Kris. Rallying is in the blood of Peugeot and it is a good demonstration of the dynamism of Peugeot cars, especially the 207. We know we have a winning car, and in Kris and Paul we also have a winning team. In these difficult times, it is important that you make sound commercial decisions but it is also important to communicate to your customers in a positive way your brand and your commitment to it.”
2009 IRC Championship dates
21 / 24th January Monte Carlo Rally France Asphalt5 / 7th March Rally Internacional de Curitiba Brazil Gravel3 / 4th April Safari Rally Kenya Gravel7 / 9th May Sata Rally Azores Portugal Asphalt18 / 20th June Ypres Westhoek Rally Belgium Asphalt9 / 11th July Rally Russia Russia Gravel7 / 9th August Rally Vinho da Madeira Portugal Asphalt28 / 30th August Barum Rally Zlin Czech Republic Asphalt10 / 12th September Principe de Asturias Rally Spain Asphalt24 / 26th September Rally San Remo Italy Asphalt22 / 24th October Rally Japan Japan Gravel19 / 21st November RAC MSA Rally of Scotland Scotland Gravel
