Due to an accident for his co-driver Brian Hoy, and the tragic events at the Jim Clark, Meeke has decided to pull out
Photography by Toyota
Words by Luke Barry
Kris Meeke has postponed his planned entry into Ireland’s Donegal International Rally as a mark of respect for accidents that occurred last weekend.
Meeke, who currently leads the Portuguese championship, was set to take on Ireland’s most famous event in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, with Brian Hoy sitting in as co-driver.
But Hoy was hospitalized after a big crash on last weekend’s Cavan Stages Rally when competing alongside Garry Jennings, on a weekend that also claimed the life of Dai Roberts who was contesting the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland.
Meeke confirmed to DirtFish on Tuesday that he would not be on the entry list for the June 20-22 event, and has now explained on social media the reason why.
“I had hoped to be out on Donegal International Rally this year, [and] Brian Hoy was due to co-drive,” Meeke wrote 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’d no experience with.
“So finally we decided to postpone our entry until the future.
“Huge thanks to all who put in the effort to put everything together,” Meeke added. “Wishing Brian Hoy and Garry Jennings all the strength in their recovery.”
Meeke’s last Irish appearance was in 2009, while he did Donegal for the first (and so far only) time in 2008.
The entry for this year’s Donegal International Rally – a round of the Irish Tarmac Championship – will be revealed on Friday evening.
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: Donegal, Kris Meeke
Publish Date May 30, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/05/eUbdc4zg-DSF3084-780x520.jpg May 30, 2025
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