Irish duo Meeke and Nagle out of Monte Carlo season opener

IRISH interest in next month’s Monte Carlo Rally, the opening round of the 2012 World Rally Championship, has been severely diluted as Tyrone’s Kris Meeke and his Kerry co-driver, Paul Nagle do not appear on the 89-strong entry list that was announced earlier this week.

Just before Christmas, it appears that Meeke/Nagle were dropped by the Mini WRC team in favour of Frenchman Pierre Campana, who has paid to take the No. 52 entry in Monte Carlo that takes place from January 18-22.

Meeke won the British Junior Championship before he went on to contest the FIA junior series.