Ulsterman Kris Meeke is about to embark on a new career. Having announced his move from IRC to the bright(er) lights of the World Rally Championship, Kris’s next drive will be in the famous rallying colours of Mini, or more specifically of the Prodrive-prepared BMW Mini Countryman.
This year will see a limited introduction for the new car, as Mini returns as a works team for the first time since Kris’s countryman Paddy Hopkirk was introducing the world to the Mini Cooper S. The plan for 2011 is for Prodrive to develop the car, while competing in six rounds of the WRC. Plenty of time, then for Kris to read those cookery books...
Steve McQueen, Elle MacPherson and Valentino Rossi
"Off the top of my head I’d like to have Steve McQueen, Elle McPherson and Valentino Rossi - always assuming Elle could fit her legs under the table. Steve would be first on my list. To be honest I enjoy everything about him: I enjoy reading the books, watching the films, and in particular I like the stuff on the motorbikes. He fascinates me and I see lots there that I can relate to, because I love enduro-biking, I like motorcross and obviously like him I love cars. He was such an interesting actor.
"I’ve been on TV a bit in the last couple of years in the adverts for Peugeot. I’m told it was very successful for Peugeot and took the brand to a different audience. I enjoyed the filming but it’s quite embarrassing seeing yourself on TV… of course the only reason I said I’d do it was because it wasn’t a speaking part. I’m mute in the ads and have absolutely no designs on an acting career - but I’d want to listen to Steve McQueen talk about his.
"Rossi could probably make it as an actor. In fact I think he could turn his hand to anything and be a success. He’s certainly not embarrassed himself in a rally car whenever he’s competed. Not that this is a sport that you can pick up easily. Of all motorsports, rally is probably the most difficult discipline to establish yourself in, and it’s simply down to the fact people don’t realise the importance of making pace notes and following the learning curve. You don’t get rookies coming in and challenging for the championship. Colin McRae was the youngest world champion ever when he was 27. Valentino would need to give himself to it for two or three years at least."
John Travolta
"I’d like to have John Travolta there as well; because I like the idea of someone who flies around in their own private airliner, there’s just something about that. I’d like to talk to him about what he gets up to in that 707, maybe over dinner I’d talk him into letting me take a few trips on it.
"I’ll be cooking a joint of beef, incidentally. I love eating meat but the only thing I can cook with any degree of confidence is a roast. I learned how to do it at a young age and I firmly believe I’m the best in the world at it. Quite a few people tell me different, of course, but I’m sticking to my story. I like food plain and simple, so a roast beef dinner is going to be perfect."
Noel Gallagher
"Who else would I invite? Well, I like lots of musicians, but are there any I’d necessarily want to invite to a dinner party? I’d go for Noel Gallagher. He was one of the guys in my ear when I was growing up, aged sixteen or seventeen when Oasis were busy conquering the world. I still put on their own albums today and I like the guy: he’s very straightforward, no bullshit in what he does and I think he’d be good craic over a dinner table. I’d let him organise the after-party too…”
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