Armstrong, Byrne Secure ERC Podium Finish in Poland, Armstrong Moves Up Championship

Jon Armstrong, alongside co-driver Shane Byrne, achieved a career-best gravel podium by finishing third at the ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland, the midpoint event in the European Rally Championship. Driving a Pirelli-equipped M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, Armstrong also earned four bonus points for being second fastest on the Power Stage, moving him up to sixth in the championship standings. The rally was won by Latvia's Martins Sesks, who finished over a minute ahead of local hero Mikolaj Marczyk, with Armstrong just 9.5 seconds further behind in third. Armstrong's strong performance included multiple top-three stage times, although a 10-second penalty for clipping a bale at a chicane kept him from finishing second. The duo will next compete at the Donegal International Rally, continuing their campaign in the eight-round series. This podium marks Armstrong's first on gravel and his second overall in the ERC, highlighting his growing competitiveness in the championship.