The Dungannon-Killarney combination battled for runner up position with Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen in their Ford Fiesta, starting yesterday's six stages just three seconds behind the Finns. However, Meeke slid off the road early in the day, damaging a tyre, and with service not allowed anywhere, he had to conserve his one spare wheel.
He finally lost grip on the second last stage at Alwen and was forced to limp on slowly, dropping behind fellow Citroen team mate Mads Ostberg as well as Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans to take seventh place in the World Championship points table.
At home, defending Hewison Autotest champion Steven Ferguson scored his fourth win of the season in TDC's round at Mondello Park, beating Guy Foster by five seconds after twelve long tests, with Paul Blair third, while Padraic McHale won the last round of the Five Star Catering Autocross Championship in Co Offaly, with the title going to Derek Mackarel from Monaghan.
