Stage slip-up dashes Meeke/Nagle hopes in Finland

On course for a top three finish in Rally Finland the Irish crew of Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle had their hopes dashed when they slid wide on a right hand bend, clipped a tree and damaged the front axle of their Citroen DS3 WRC during Saturday’s second leg.

They were able to rejoin the rally yesterday under Rally2 and claimed a point on the Power Stage.

Beginning Saturday’s leg in third, Meeke was very much in touch with the VW Polo WRC’s of Jari Matti Latvala and Sebastien Ogier. He trailed rally leader Latvala by 25 seconds, the margin could have been closer were it not for the addition of a ten second penalty.