Armstrong’s Ceredigion
Jon Armstrong took a superb victory at Ceredigion. Credit: GF Rally Images
2025 Rali Bae Ceredigion Report. Words by James Downie, photos by GF Rally Media and AF Motorsport Media. Video by Nikolay D Nedvechev.
Fermanagh’s Jon Armstrong and co-driver Shane Byrne from Bruckless produced a high class performance to win the Rally Ceredigion – their first ever outright win on an ERC event..
The pair guided their M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 flawlessly through 12 fast and technical asphalt stages on the Welsh roads, mastering changeable conditions and a fiercely competitive field. Their consistency and pace were unmatched, and they ultimately secured victory by 29.9 seconds, a commanding margin at this level of competition.
Armstrong and Byrne seized the lead early and maintained their advantage with a blend of controlled aggression and intelligent rally management. Their triumph marks a significant milestone not only for the crew but also for Irish rallying, with Armstrong becoming one of the few Irish drivers to win at ERC level in recent years.
Romit Jurgenson took a brilliant 2nd overall and scored valuable BRC points. Credit: AF Motorsport Media
Behind them, Estonian driver Romet Jürgenson produced a very successful impressive run to finish second, making it a 1-2 for M-Sport, while current ERC championship leader Miko Marczyk had to settle for third. Marczyk’s podium keeps his title hopes firmly on track, but he was unable to match Armstrong’s blistering pace across the Welsh tarmac.
Miko Marczyk took 3rd and kept his ERC title hopes alive. Credit: AF Motorsport Media.
There was heartbreak for Callum Devine, who had been running as high as fifth before disaster struck. An engine fire in his Skoda forced him into a premature retirement, ending what had looked like a promising weekend.
William Creighton was 4th in Ceredigion and extended his BRC lead. Credit: GF Rally Images.
Meanwhile, in the British Rally Championship battle, William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan brought their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 home in fourth overall but second to Jurgenson of the British title Contenders, even though Armstrong took maximum points, having been registered for the BRC despite it being a one off outing for him. Another solid points haul for Creighton extended his advantage in the BRC standings, but it’s still all to play for at the final round, the Cambrian in October.
The third M-Sport contender, Garry Pearson, with Hannah McKillop alongside, was caught out like many others on the tough, demanding SS3. Y Diafol is Welsh for “The Devil” and at just over 21 miles of ultra fast bumpy tarmac, there can rarely have been a more appropriately named stage…
Calum Black took 7th overall and useful BRC points. Credit:: GF Rally Images.
2022 BRC Champion Osian Pryce made a one off appearence in this seasons championship and claimed a very good 5th overall in a Hyandai i20. Callum Black and Jack Morton took a fine 7th overall and 4th in the BRC. Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss finished 11th overall and 5th among the BRC contenders to remain in with chance of claiming the title, although MEM team mate Creighton holds all cards.
Meirion Evans kept himself in the hunt for BRC title. Credit: AF Motorsport Media.
Sam Touzel and Max Freeman were 8th overall and won the national category. This performance underlined Sam’s growing reputation as a major force on tarmac, the 33 year old Channel Islander having already secured the Protyre Asphalt title last month.
Further down the field Kyle McBride and Darragh Mullen took 15th overall and won the BRC junior category.
Rob Cotton took a narrow win in the National B category. Chris Richmond Hand and Izzie Holman were a close second.
Chris Richmond Hand and Izzie Holman were as spectacular as ever. Credit: GF Rally Images
This win is the biggest result of Armstrong’s career so far. Speaking after the finish, he praised the team’s preparation and Byrne’s precise co-driving, crediting the “perfect partnership” that kept them on track under pressure.
With the Rally Ceredigion victory, Armstrong and Byrne have announced themselves as genuine contenders on the international stage. The Welsh fans witnessed a breakthrough moment – and one that could be the start of a much bigger story for the Irish duo.
The Aberystwyth stage was as popular as ever with the fans. Credit: GF Rally Images.
Results:
Armstrong/Byrne Fiesta 1h34m52.0 seconds
Jurgenson/Slim Fiesta +29.2 seconds
Marczyk/Szymon Fabia +43.7
Creighton/Regan Yaris +1m15.2
Pryce/Hayes i20 +2.31.8
Mabellini/Lenzi Fabia+2.59.5
Black/Morton Fiesta +4.23.6
Touzel/Freema Fiesta +7.40.8
Kelly/Moore Fiesta R3 +8.51.7
Lloyd/Williams 208 R4 +9.32.6
BRC Standings after round 5
Creighton 90 Points
Evans 74J
Jurgenson 69J
Black 67J
Pearson 44J
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtO4n23Xxz4
