He's come a long way since winning the ESports championship in 2018, the lads done good. Since then he progressed into the very real world of rallying and progressed very quickly through the ranks, gaining a wealth of fans along the way. Fans who, for some time have been calling for him to get a backed drive.
Armstrong has spent a few seasons in one iteration of Fiesta or another (since 2021 actually!) and should settle in quickly to the new machinery. Just missing out on a title win in his debut Junior WRC season, he claimed two wins across four events in the Rally4. Armstrong’s determination to climb up through the categories was clear, and he would also claim a Junior ERC3 win on Rally Poland in the same year, his first outing in the Fiesta Rally3.
Armstrong saw in another year of rapid development in the Rally3 across both ERC and WRC feeder categories in 2022, claiming a handful of strong class results throughout the season in the Junior WRC3 category. These successes would then secure a full 2023 ERC programme in the Rally3, and Armstrong made a good first impression with a class win in ERC3 on his season debut on Rally Serras de Fafe. After another four category wins across both asphalt and gravel surfaces, he would go on to claim the ERC3 Championship, marking a career first championship win.
The 2023 season also saw Armstrong make an impressive debut in the Fiesta Rally2 on the Royal Rally of Scandinavia. Fighting in a highly competitive ERC field, on a brand-new and very tough event, alongside the challenge that the step-up to Rally2 machinery brings, Armstrong delivered a fantastic drive and finished the event 11th overall.
Now for 2024, Armstrong will embark on his first full Rally2 season in a Fiesta with MSport UK and MSport Poland, partnered by co-driver Eoin Treacy. Both men have been backed by Motorsport Ireland who themselves have have a great deal of success with many crews; Will Creighton for one. Speaking about the move Jon had this to say,
It is a dream come true to have the opportunity to complete a full year behind the wheel of a Rally2 car. We’ve been working on this for many years and I’m very grateful to M-Sport and my sponsors for the opportunity. It is brilliant to be working closely with Eoin [Treacy] and the MI Rally Academy this year and I am really proud to be representing the rallying community at home. I am excited to collaborate with the other academy members and to work towards our goals together.
ERC is an intense challenge, with a very high standard in terms of drivers and lots of competition. I see it as the ideal place to prove myself, the team, and the car. Each rally has its own unique character and especially this season there’s some new events that should keep everyone on their toes.
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