Armstrong claims first European Rally victory

Jon Armstrong won for the first time in the European and British championships in Wales

Northern Ireland's Jon Armstrong has won his first European Championship event by taking victory at Rali Ceredigion.

Armstrong and co-driver Shayne Byrne dominated the 12 stages in Wales to win by 29.2 seconds over M-Sport team-mate Romet Jurgenson.

The win boosts Armstrong's outside shot at the ERC title and he is 33 points behind leader Miko Marczyk, who was third, with just Rally Croatia remaining.

"It has been a lot of hard work and a lot of years rallying and to get here is amazing," said Armstrong.

"A big thanks to M-Sport and to have a one-two for them is amazing also, and it shows the car is great and everyone in the team.

"I just can't believe it, it will take a while to sink in.

"It is all to play for in Croatia and it is another slippy rally, so anything is possible."

It is also a first victory in the British Rally Championship for Armstrong as the two series were both counting for the rally.

BRC championship leader William Creighton boosted his title chances by finishing fourth overall and he can seal the title and the Cambrian Rally in October.

Jurgenson is now Creighton's closest challenger after the Northern Irishman's Toyota team-mate and local favourite Meirion Evans crashed on Saturday and dropped down the order.

Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winner Callum Devine was forced to retire after two engine fires in his MRF Tyres Skoda in his one-off appearance in the ERC.