Meeke fastest on Argentina superspecial

Kris Meeke has completed the opening stage of Rally Argentina with the fastest time after an impressive run through the rain-hit streets of Carlos Paz.

In front of a capacity crowd of 12,000 fans, Meeke and co-driver Paul Nagle completed the all-asphalt 3.30-kilometre course in a time of 2m32.8s at the wheel of their Peugeot UK 207 Super 2000.

Bruno Magalhães, in his Peugeot Portugal 207, was second fastest with Guy Wilks completing the top three as the highest-placed Škoda Fabia driver.

Intercontinental Rally Challenge leader Juho Hänninen, who was paired against Meeke on the street course, was fourth fastest in the first of two factory Fabias. His time was identical to team-mate Jan Kopecký, who was classified fifth.

Kris Meeke (United Kingdom), Peugeot 207 S2000, first overall: "It was a good enough run through but it’s one of those stages when you can lose everything, particularly when the rain came in. It was impossible to judge the grip so we might have been a bit wrong to have shaved our tyres so much. The fans were incredible, I really enjoyed it."

Bruno Magalhaes (Portugal), Peugeot 207 S2000, second overall: "It was very difficult and very slippery, especially with gravel tyres on wet Tarmac. I was very cautious because of this. I think the car is better now after Brazil."

Guy Wilks (United Kingdom), Skoda Fabia S2000, third overall: "I tried to keep it as neat as possible but what a welcome that was to Rally Argentina with greasy Tarmac, gravel tyres and rain. It got a bit close at times."

Standings after SS1 :