Despite winning his third IRC event on the trot and extending his championship lead, Kris Meeke has warned that he still a lot to do if he wants to succeed reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Nicolas Vouilloz.
Meeke eventually won the Belgian Ypres Rally last weekend, the fifth round in this year's IRC, by 20.4secs. However it wasn't an easy victory for the Brit, who was involved in a close scrap for the lead with his Kronos team-mate, Freddy Loix, from the very beginning.
In the end Meeke managed to edge in front in SS12, before Loix - a five-time winner of the event - dropped back when he picked up a puncture in the following test.
Meeke now has 30 points on the board and leads Loix, who recovered to finish third behind Jan Kopecky, by six.
"It was incredibly close and I have to congratulate Jan and Freddy for such a great battle," Meeke told his personal website.
"When it's this close it's fantastic. To have three wins with only four rallies gone is great, and it's nice to have those points on the board but there's a long way to go yet. Ypres, though, has been an amazing experience."
Asked about his triumph in more detail, the Peugeot UK man added that prior to the event he really didn't expect to be able to run so competitively.
"When I came to Ypres, I never really thought I would stand a chance here. But when I saw I could keep up with Freddy, I decided to go for it and it worked,” he continued.
“This is actually my first real great victory in a rally with a legendary name. I think this is certainly the biggest moment of my career to date.
“Everyone knows the reputation of this rally, and victory here feels very special. To be on the top step of the podium on such a prestigious event is a dream come true for me.
“I have to thank Kronos for having supplied a perfect car and win on my first participation to this event. I think this weekend is the most fun I've ever had behind the wheel."
Meeke will now have to sit out the next IRC event in Russia, as Peugeot have elected not to compete, but he is aiming to resume his bid for honours on Rally Maderia, which runs from 30 July to 1 August.
In the meantime, he will attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed this coming weekend, supporting the Richard Burns Foundation, as well as entertaining the crowd by showing off his Peugeot 207 S2000.
