Meeke and Nagle in the hunt in Sweden

Motorsport: Losing time off the start line of last night’s opening stage of Rally Sweden, round two of the World Rally Championship, the Irish crew of Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Citroen D3 WRC) are outside the top 10 but still only 2.6 seconds off the lead after the completion of the Super Special at Karlstad. Meeke was very relaxed at the stage finish and was looking forward to today’s nine stages.

Swedish driver and WRC 2 contender Pontus Tidemand (Ford Fiesta S2000) stunned the opposition by setting the fastest stage time followed by Mads Ostberg (Citroen DS3 WRC) and Jari Matti Latvala (VW Polo WRC). In the shakedown, Sebastien Ogier (VW Polo WRC) was fastest with Meeke/Nagle (Citroen DS3 WRC) just 0.3 of a second off the pace.

The McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship kicks off with the Eurocables Rally in Kirkistown tomorrow. Almost 90 crews line up for the North Armagh Motor Club-promoted event that is headed by reigning champion Derek McGarrity.