Red Bull-supported Kris Meeke has enjoyed his fair share of highs during his maiden season in the World Rally Championship with the factory MINI team. The Briton picks out his top five moments:
5. Signing the deal...
I’ve always been working to get an opportunity at this level and always dreamed of signing a contract with a manufacturer team. I remember thinking that day would be the most special day. But I remember it was the same as when I won the IRC championship. You strive so much for these things that actually when I signed the deal, you’re brain has already moved forward to the next objective. It was elation but the next morning you thought what’s next and it made you hungry to go again. It was mega but all of a sudden it’s the start of all the hard work.
4. Starting the first rally...
Going over the start ramp in Sardinia just felt good. It was the realisation of what you had done, the build-up, all the testing and eventually getting there and starting.
3. Top-three stage time...
It was the third stage in Sardinia and we were third fastest. We then had a throttle problem but I remember the elation at the end of the stage. It was pretty special and satisfying to know that all the work the guys at the factory had done had paid off to produce a car that could come to its first event and be capable of setting times like that.
2. Fifth place in Spain...
To get a finish under my belt. We’d had three mechanical failures in three events and then I went off the road in France. All of a sudden people were saying I hadn’t finished four rallies in a row. The relief of getting the finish there, to get solid points was really important. To played a safe strategy and came to the finish.
1. First stage win...
Winning the Power Stage for my first WRC stage win in Spain was something else, live on television. It would probably have been a hollow victory if I was the only one to do it on soft tyres but to do it with Dani Sordo as your team-mate with identical machinery and identical tyres on his home rally was a great feeling.
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