Kris Meeke’s next event in the FIA World Rally Championship is the eleventh and home round for Citroen, Rallye de France-Alsace and it is the second all tarmac event of the 2014 season.
Kris Meeke
There will be huge pressure on the Dungannon driver as this event has been dominated by Citroen and their drivers such as Sebastien Loeb, Jesus Puras d Sebastien Ogier.
Meeke has so far met the high expectations placed on him in the second half of the season, he collected stage wins fighting for podium finishes, on both gravel and tarmac and has made the most of his experience to establish himself among the leading positions.
“The trend is positive, I feel stronger and stronger in the DS3 World Rally Car,” he said.
“I always try to do my very best. Obviously, I compare my times with those of the other drivers. But above all, I am looking to do my own rally. I am making progress at my own speed, keeping focussed on the objectives that we set with the team.”
Meeke has only taken part in one previous Rallye de France-Alsace, back in 2011.
“I like the kind of roads you get there.
“But I have acquired most of my experience during the many test sessions we have organised in the region. For the 2014 stages, we are going to have to take new pace notes.
“I have managed to be among the frontrunners in the last three or four rallies.
“I have to keep going and try and mix it more and more with the battle for the lead. I know I can finish on the podium.” commented Meeke.
Victory next weekend for Meeke and Citroen would be the icing on the cake, but the fight will be with the all conquering VW Polos.
The shakedown is held again on city centre roads, in the Hautepierre district of Strasbourg on Thursday and on Friday morning, the crews will head south-east for a loop of three stages that will be repeated in the afternoon after the midday service and the day will finish with a run on the Strasbourg super special stage. On Saturday, the crews will leave parc ferme at 6.30am for two loops of three stages held on roads around Colmar with Vallée de Munster and a super special stage will be held in Mulhouse to conclude the leg before the cars head back to Strasbourg. The final day’s action will be held on roads around Saverne, two loops of two stages and the rally is scheduled to finish in Strasbourg at 3.00pm.
