Peugeot UK pairing Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle are wanting nothing less than a victory on this weekend’s Rally Scotland.
The British event will be the last outing for Meeke and Nagle in the Peugeot UK team, as they move to the World Rally Championship with MINI in 2011.
In 2009 the duo won the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title driving for Peugeot, and both want to claim victory in their swansong for the team. However, last year saw a win on the stages for Meeke taken away by a technicality, an event Meeke admits he still hasn’t got over.
Standing in their way is some 190-kilometres of gravel stages, winding their way through some of Scotland’s breathtaking, yet potentially treacherous, landscape.
While Meeke hails from Northern Ireland he admits to having something of a rallying connection with the country.
“Scotland was the home of my friend and brother Colin McRae. Without him, my rallying career would never have got off the ground,” he says. “Last year, before it was taken away from me, I dedicated my win in Scotland to Colin. I frequently think of him when I'm driving through these forests. He was unbeatable here, and my only wish is to equal his record.”
“The Scottish forests are crisscrossed by some of the world's most selective gravel tracks. Many of the countless ultra-fast corners are blind and there's very little grip. Terrain like that brings out the best in the balance and nimbleness of the [car]. I would especially like to show as much again this year following the recent introduction of the Evolution version of the Peugeot which made its debut in Sanremo. The car is now more competitive than ever.”
