Meeke wins in Mexico despite car park diversion

Kris Meeke won the Rally of Mexico on Sunday but only after having to negotiate his way through a busy public car park to reach the finish line.

The 37-year-old Northern Irishman dominated the weekend, leading from the opening stage on the second day in his Citroen to finish ahead of world champion Sebastien Ogier in the M-Sport/Ford.

But Meeke almost came unstuck on the final power stage of the race when he came off the road and ended up in a car park.

He then had to pick his way past parked vehicles in order to regain his place on the race surface.

"After a jump, I took a bump. I'm really a lucky boy. What a way to finish the rally," said Meeke, who was in such a state of shock at the dramatic turn of events that he had to be helped by co-driver Paul Nagle to climb onto the roof of their Citroen to start the celebrations.

Ogier, who won the season-opener in Monte Carlo, took over the lead in the world championship from Finland's Toyota driver Jari-Matti Latvala who was only sixth in Mexico.

Ogier started the final day over 20 seconds behind Meeke and was never able to mount a sustained challenge.

"It's a big performance, we can only be happy," said the four-time world champion.