Kris Meeke makes history in Finland

31 July 2016 06:23

Northern Ireland's Kris Meeke became the first British winner of Rally Finland as the Citroen driver set a new average speed record for the event.

Meeke's 29.1 seconds victory over Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala ended the latter's chances of a third consecutive success on home ground and established a new speed record.

Meeke's average speed of 126.60kph bettered Latvala's record set on the event a year ago by 1.2kph.

The 37-year-old Meeke led almost the whole of the four-day race over the gravel roads in Finland in his Citroen DS 3.

Meeke's Abu Dhabi Total team-mate Craig Breen, from Ireland, had a maiden podium finish in third, claiming his first stage win on Sunday morning to finish one minute 41.3 secs adrift of the winner.

Meeke has climbed to ninth in the World Rally Championship standings and lies 92 points behind leader Sebastien Ogier.

Source: PA