Meeke/Nagle second in Czech rally to retain lead of ITC

The Irish duo of Kris Meeke (Dungannon) and Paul Nagle (Killarney) in their Peugeot S307 have finished second in the Barum Czech Rally Zlin, round eight of the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Meeke/Nagle, who finished just over a minute behind winner, Jan Kopecky (Skoda) retain their lead in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (ITC).

Kopecky took the lead on the second test and thereafter, was never headed.

It was much different for Meeke/Nagle.

They fashioned a superb recovery from 33rd position after they punctured their Peugeot S207 on the opening super special stage on Friday night.

Over the next three stages, they climbed to fourth place but spun on the fifth stage.

Meeke, suffering from a severe bout of influenza, started off with a five-point advantage over Kopecky, who was on home territory.

His second place meant that he retains the ITC lead, albeit by three points, with three rounds remaining.

Finnish driver, Juho Hanninen (Skoda) was third.

Meanwhile, ITC contenders, Giandomenico Basso crashed his Abarth Punto out of the rally on S.S.8 while Belgian ace, Freddy Loix suffered a puncture and was forced to retire his Peugeot.

1. J. Kopecky (Skoda Fabia S2000) 2h. 24m. 21.1s.

2. K. Meeke (Peugeot 207 S2000)+1m 0.4s.

3. J. Hanninen (Skoda Fabia S2000)+2m 0.8s.

4. R. Kresta (Peugeot 207 S2000)+2m 10.8s.

5. M. Prokop (Peugeot 207 S2000)+2m 39..6s.

6. P. Valousek (Skoda Fabia S2000)+4m 50.5s.

IRC Drivers' standings (After Round 8):

1. K. Meeke 42points

2. J. Kopecky 39points

3. G. Basso 27points

= F. Loix 27points

5. J. Hanninen 20points

6. N. Vouilloz 19points

IRC manufacturers' standings (After Round 8):

1. Peugeot 95 points

2. Skoda 59 points

3. Ralliart 42 points

4. Abarth 34 points

5. Proton 5 points

6. Honda 1 point