Kris Meeke's the man to beat as Rally Scotland enters forest

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:15

NEWLY-CROWNED Intercontinental Rally Champion Kris Meeke proved he will be the man to beat in the final round, the inaugural running of Rally Scotland, when he topped the time sheets after the opening two superspecial stages at Scone Palace.

In drizzling rain, the 30-year-old from Dungannon powered his Peugeot S2000 through the grounds in front of thousands of drenched spectators to establish a 4.0-second advantage over the Skoda of double British champ Guy Wilks.

The Darlington driver starts today's five forest stages between Perth and Blair Atholl 7.7s ahead of Bristolian Adam Gould's Peugeot. Alister McRae is the best-placed Scot in fourth, just 0.7s adrift of Gould.

"I'm happy with the first couple of stages," Meeke, who has already won four IRC rounds this season, said afterwards, "but the real action starts in the forests.

"That'll sort the men from the boys."

Two young Scots, 19-year-old Dave Weston jnr from Aberdeen, and Dumfries 22-year-old David Bogie, the 2009 Scottish Rally champ, start today 10th and 12th respectively in their Subaru and Mitsubishi.

First Minister Alex Salmond waved McRae off the startline to start the three-day, 500-mile event which finishes on Saturday with a ceremonial prizegiving at Stirling Castle.