Kris Meeke
Andorra
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ERC - All the latest News
Key Facts
Nationality
Ireland
Date of Birth
2.07.1979
ERC 2026
Team
Melvyn Evans Motorsport
Co-Driver
Noel O'Sullivan
Car
Toyota GR Yaris Rally2
Tyres
Michelin
ERC Victories
1
ERC Podiums
1
ERC Stage Wins
9
What target have you set yourself for JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion?
“It’s a bit of a surprise to be there in the first place. It wasn’t the intention at the beginning of the year. But unfortunate circumstances in Donegal left us with some mileage left over with Melvyn Evans, who’s based close to Aberystwyth, and the roads in Ceredigion are not dissimilar to Ireland. I know how tricky it’s going to be, but if I’m in the top three, it would be pretty nice. You always keep that little sparkle that’s still there to try to win, but I don’t underestimate guys like Teemu Sunninen, who’s been out every weekend and he’s still a young guy, still hungry. That’s not to say I’m not hungry, but still, for me, a podium would be pretty good.”
What’s been your best JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion memory or your best memory of competing in Wales so far?
“Well, I’ve never done Rali Ceredigion before, but I’ve had lots of good memories from all the WRC events I’ve done throughout the years in Wales, all in the forests. Finishing second in 2015 was pretty cool. I never managed to win my home event in the WRC, but second place, only a few seconds behind Sébastien Ogier, was pretty cool.”
What do you think of the competition in the ERC?
“We know Teemu Sunninen and know how fast he is. He’s a world championship-level driver for sure. He’s gone on incredibly well in ERC this year and he’s doing both programmes. I’ve no doubt Andrea Mabellini is a fast guy. He’s coming back to Rali Ceredigion for his third time with the new Lancia, so he’ll be fast. All these guys in the ERC are super-fast, so I’m under no illusions how tough the competition will be.”
Who’s your rallying hero and why?
“I grew up in the Colin McRae era. I never envisaged Colin getting involved in my career and giving me the opportunities he did.”
What’s your greatest achievement in rallying/motorsport so far?
“Winning Rally Finland in 2016, no doubt. For me, the fastest, bravest rally of them all. To do what we did there was pretty special.”
Looking back to your first rally, when was it and where, what car did you drive and what happened?
“It was the Bulldog Clubmans Rally in 2000, the Peugeot 106 Cup prize drive for winning a Peugeot/Motorsport News competition. We won our class by a few minutes and I think I finished fourth overall. That was the first one.”
Looking to the future, where do you hope to be in five years from now?
“Well, I don’t know that I have a big future ahead of me! I am at the twilight of my career, but still haven’t lost that itch, haven’t lost that bug, haven’t lost the desire. I love driving cars. I’m like a one-trick pony. I only know how to do one thing sort of half well, although that depends who you talk to! But the desire is still there. I love getting opportunities and love driving cars. So, yeah, anywhere in the world, anytime.”
If you weren’t a rally driver, what sport would you like to do?
“I’m fascinated by MotoGP. I just love the dynamic of MotoGP, the skill level those guys have is off the charts. So, yeah, it’s a complete fantasy. It’s one of the only sports I sit down and religiously watch every weekend. And I’m fortunate enough to know a few of the guys in it; they live quite close to me in Andorra. MotoGP is something I have a passion for as a spectator but, yeah, as a fantasy to think I could do it—but in another life, maybe. If somebody cut me down by 20 or 30 kilos, maybe I’d have a chance!”
When you are not competing, what do you do to keep busy?
“I’m a family man. My girls are 11 and 12 years of age, so they’re busy with ski clubs and, even throughout the summer now, they’re training for skiing and going to indoor places. As anyone knows, you’re near enough a full-time Uber driver. There are some other things going on in the background, but the main thing is the family.”
Tell us something interesting about yourself that few people know.
“There’s lots about me that people don’t know, and I like to keep it that way!”
*Kris Meeke competes under the flag of Andorra, his place of residence, through his licence. However, he is Northern Irish by nationality.
