Kris Meeke absolutely torched Rali Ceredigion in Wales, storming to victory in his first European Rally Championship appearance in a jaw-dropping 18 years! Seriously, EIGHTEEN years! This wasn’t some quiet return; the man dominated, putting everyone on notice. What a statement.
The Legend Returns (And He’s Still Got It!)
Meeke, at 47 years old, wasn’t just showing up; he and his co-driver Noel O’Sullivan annihilated the competition. They finished a massive 38.6 seconds ahead of Finland’s Teemu Suninen, who already sealed the title. Think about that margin! Meeke hadn’t been in an ERC event since Rally Poland all the way back in 2006. It’s like he never left, only he did, for nearly two decades! The feeling in the car? He loved it. “What a weekend, a big thanks to everyone who got me here,” Meeke said, clearly buzzing. He was feeling that “flow state,” feeling “at home,” and was “delighted.” You love to hear that from a guy who’s been around the block. This rally, a joint round for both the European and British Rally Championships, also saw Max McRae, nephew of rally legend Colin, take the top BRC spot, finishing fourth overall behind Meeke, Suninen, and Poland’s Mikolaj Marczyk. What a race to be part of!
A Masterclass in Relentless Driving
Meeke didn’t just cruise to victory, though. It was a fight! He set the tone early, blazing through the first two stages on Friday with the fastest times. But Suninen, the reigning champ, didn’t back down easily, actually snatching the lead overnight. Did that faze Meeke? Nope! The Toyota driver came out Saturday morning, dropped the hammer, and posted the fastest time on the opening stage, reclaiming the top spot. From there, he locked it down and never looked back. That’s veteran composure right there! We also saw some other strong performances, like Wales’ Meirion Evans grabbing fifth. On the flip side, Osian Pryce, in his home event, had to retire on the 14th stage due to a mechanical issue. Tough break. This isn’t Meeke’s only recent success either; he’s a five-time World Rally Championship winner and last competed on the global stage in 2019. He even won the Portuguese Rally Championship in 2025 and had a strong showing at the Donegal International Rally in June. The man stays sharp!
So, is this a whole new chapter for Meeke in the ERC? He’s keeping it real, saying he’s “had many stories in [his] career.” But you know what? He still believes he can drive, especially “when the package is right.” And a huge shout-out to co-driver Noel O’Sullivan, because Meeke himself called this one of the “most technical difficult rallies for a co-driver” and praised Noel for a “top job.” With that kind of chemistry and skill, who knows what stories Kris Meeke will write next? It’s gonna be epic to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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