The preparations for the 2010 Belgium Ypres Rally are already on full chat. The most important meeting on the Belgian calendar will of course again be one of the key rallies of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, as well as being one of the most important events of the European and Belgian Rally Championships. The event will again be organised during the last weekend of June. 

The most exciting news coming from the Westhoek is without any doubt the announcement of a new partner. Geko Woonwereld, the large furniture supplier from Zulte, will sponsor the Belgium Ypres Rally for the next two seasons. Geko is not unknown in the world of rallying. They have supported several well known drivers but partnering with the Belgium Ypres Rally is surely the cherry on the cake. Geko is already looking forward to celebrate the high-point of the rally season with the fans in Ypres.

19-23/01/10 Rallye Monte Carlo
05-07/03/10 Rally Internacional de Curitiba
19-21/03/10 Rally Argentina **
04-06/06/10 Rally d'Italia Sardegna
24-26/06/10 Geko Ypres Rally (ERC)
15-17/07/10 Sata Rally Açores
05-07/08/10 Rally Vinho Madeira (ERC)
27-29/08/10 Barum Czeh Rally Zlin (ERC)
09-11/09/10 Rally Principe de Asturias (ERC)
23-25/09/10 Rally Sanremo
14-16/10/10 RAC MSA Rally of Scotland
04-06/11/10 Cyprus Rally

** pending from agreement with rally event promotor

Date Name of the rally

22.-24.04--Rally 1000 Miglia (I)
20.-22.05--Ina Croatia Rally (CRO)
04.-06.06--Rally Poland(PL)
24.-26.06--Geko Ypres Rally (IRC)
23.-25.07--Istanbul Rally (TR)
07.-08.08--Rally Vinho da Madeira (P) (IRC)
27.-29.08--Barum Czech Rally Zlin (CZ) (IRC)
10.-11.09--Rally Principe de Asturias (E) (IRC)
24.-26.09--Elpa Rally
15.-17.10--Rallye d'Antibes Côte d'Azur (F)
28.-30.10--Rallye International du Valais(CH)

 

The main loser of the day, Freddy Loix, was the first man to congratulate Meeke, first over the air with Eurosport, later in person few metres after the finish of the marathon stage of Heuvelland.

"We were in for a perfect run through, but then we suffered this fatal puncture. No doubt, it was my fault and this is where I lost the race," explains the friendly Belgian. "Still, this was one of the most fun rallies I competed in as it is much nicer to fight for every second than to finish miles ahead of the second in the ranking."