Meeke, 44, set an impressive 11 fastest times at Rally Serras de Fafe, winning the renowned gravel event with a margin of over a minute ahead of Portuguese Armindo Araujo.
Also competing was Marco Bulacia, known from the WRC2 class. However, the young Bolivian could not match Meeke, finishing over a minute and a half behind him.
“Honestly, it has been many, many years since I enjoyed driving in a rally this much, Meeke enthused, according to the Portuguese Autosport.pt website.
Meeke mentioned that the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car he drove performed exceptionally well on the famous gravel stages of Northern Portugal.
“For me it was special to drive in these conditions, I feel very comfortable in the mud. Yes, honestly, I felt very good. Sometimes, it felt like the Rally GB,” Meeke described.
Meeke’s co-driver was James Fulton, who last year started the same race with Craig Breen. The Irish driver Breen tragically lost his life a month later while testing Hyundai’s Rally1 car in Croatia with Fulton.
“For James, who was here last year with Craig, it was good to win.”
“We couldn’t have been better this weekend. I’m very, very happy. It’s a great way to start,” Meeke said.
