Former WRC driver Kris Meeke has withdrawn from the upcoming Donegal International Rally.
A five-time WRC winner and former Intercontinental Rally Champion, Meeke was set to be one of the biggest names on Donegal’s stages this June.
However yesterday he announced that he would be withdrawing his entry following an injury to his co-driver, Brian Hoy.
Hoy was injured along with popular Irish rally driver Garry Jennings in a crash at last weekend’s Cavan Stages Rally.
While Jennings was released from hospital yesterday, his co-driver on Hoy – who was scheduled to co-drive along with Meeke in Donegal – remains in hospital in Drogheda.
Posting on Instagram yesterday, Meeke also cited a recent fatal accident on the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland as another factor in him withdrawing his entry.
Welsh driver James Williams was seriously injured, and his co-driver Dai Roberts was tragically killed in the event last weekend.
“Had hoped to be out on Donegal International Rally this year… Brian Hoy was due to co-drive,” Meeke posted on his Instagram story.
“Unfortunately Brian was badly injured last weekend in a rally with Garry Jennings. Out of respect to Brian and the tragic events on the Jim Clark Rally, I felt uneasy to search around for a co-driver who I had no experience with.”
“So finally (I) decided to postpone our entry until the future”.
