ERC
No wild predictions for returning ERC hero Meeke
Kris Meeke will start next week’s FIA European Rally Championship season decider with his third victory in Fafe in his sights but adamant that there will be “no wild predictions”.
The five-time FIA World Rally Championship event winner triumphed on the event now titled Rally 6 Cities North of Portugal in 2024 and 2025 during his Portuguese championship tenure.
Despite previous successes and his standout victory on the last ERC round, September’s JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion, Meeke is keeping calm ahead of the event taking place from 23 - 25 October.
Northern Irish hero is keeping expectations in check
© ERC
“I enjoy that part of the world and I’ve obviously spent a bit of time in Portugal over the last few years,” the Northern Irishman explained. “We’ve managed to win [in] Fafe the last two years, but everyone knows those stages very, very well. I’m quite familiar with the terrain and looking for a good result. We always start with victory in the mind, but I don’t know who’s there. There will obviously be a few wildcards because it’s quite a popular event. But I’ll wait to see the entry list before I make any wild predictions.”
We always start with victory in the mind, but I don’t know who’s there
Meeke will be reunited with long-term co-driver Stuart Loudon for the event, which he’ll tackle in a Michelin-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 entered under the Toyota Gazoo Racing Caetano Portugal banner.
Meeke spent 2025 competing with Toyota power in Portugal
© Red Bull Content Pool
He continued: “This is proper, proper rally terrain on gravel and some of the best stages in the world. It’s always the same in rallying, you have to expect the unexpected. The weather at this time of year is normally wet but it looks like it’s going to be quite dry in the lead up to the rally so let’s see. But you have to be prepared for a lot of mud and tricky conditions. The last few years has been really, really tricky with the rain but it can be a bit different if it’s still going to be summer temperatures.”
