Meeke wins inaugural Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy

Outgoing IRC Champion Kris Meeke has been awarded the first edition of the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy for his driving in this years IRC season.

Mechanical problems and some notable crashes denied the Irishman a second consecutive IRC title, but his epic drives against the, seemingly, much faster Fabias warranted the award.

Meeke was chosen by Colin’s dad Jimmy, a five-time British Champion, Jean-Pierre Nicolas, former Lancia works driver and Eurosport Events’ Gilbert Roy after a unanimous decision by the three at the IRC awards ceremony in Limassol, Cyprus.

“Without the support Colin offered I’d never have been able to progress my career and it means a great deal to me to receive this award in Colin’s memory.” Meeke said.

Meeke was taken under McRae’s wing in 2002. Meeke won the British Junior Rally Championship and scored third in the British S1600 Championship. Under McRae’s guidance, Meeke progressed to the J-WRC in a Super 1600 Opel Corsa. High points in the 2003 season were running as high as second in Italy and Wales, but Meeke crashed out of both events. Consolation followed in the form of British S1600 Championship.

3^rd at Monte Carlo started the year off on a high. 1^st followed third when he won a round of the British S1600 Championship. Mechanical failures in the next two rounds, Turkey and Greece, were followed by an epic crash in Finland whilst leading. Electrics halted his challenge for J-WRC win, but he scored second, after fighting for the runners-up spot with seven fastest stage times.

Meeke signed for Citroen for 2005/2006 driving a works C2 alongside Citroen works driver to-be Dani Sordo. In 2009, Meeke signed for Peugeot UK and stormed to the title after scoring six wins. 2010 wasn’t as successful, but it was announced that Meeke would become a MINI works driver in 2011 in the WRC.

Colin would have been proud of Kris’ achievements in the last few years.