Sunday, July 31, 2016

Dungannon’s Kris Meeke won the Rally Finland as the Citroen driver set a new average speed record for the event.

Meeke’s 29.1 seconds victory over Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala ended the latter’s chances of a third consecutive success on home ground and established a new speed record.

Meeke’s average speed of 126.60kph bettered Latvala’s record set on the event a year ago by 1.2kph.


Kris Meeke celebrates after winning with his Citroen DS3 WRC, the Neste Rally Finland. Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva via AP

The 37-year-old Meeke led almost the whole of the four-day race over the gravel roads in Finland in his Citroen DS 3.

Meeke’s Abu Dhabi Total team-mate Craig Breen, from Waterford, had a maiden podium finish in third, claiming his first stage win on Sunday morning to finish one minute 41.3 secs adrift of the winner.

Meeke has climbed to ninth in the World Rally Championship standings and lies 92 points behind leader Sebastien Ogier.

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