Jon Armstrong took to the world-famous Goodwood hill climb and rally stage over the weekend as M-Sport showcased the Ford Puma Rally1 to more than 200,000 spectators across the four-day Festival of Speed.
The event, held at the Goodwood House estate in West Sussex, gathered the world’s most spectacular historic, modern and futuristic vehicles in a celebration of motorsport heritage.
Armstrong’s involvement began at a VIP event hosted by Ford Racing at an airfield beside Goodwood, where the company marked 125 years since its first racing victory. The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver took guests for passenger rides in the Puma Rally1, giving them a taste of the thrill of rallying.
His runs up the famous hill climb were a highlight for many over the high-octane weekend, as spectators witnessed the dynamic capabilities of the FIA World Rally Championship’s top-tier challenger. It is fair to say the obligatory donuts in front of Goodwood House went down a treat.
The Puma’s technical prowess and off-road ability were highlighted further during demonstrations on the rally stage, where Armstrong piloted the car through the tight and twisty sections while entertaining passenger rides for guests.
The standout moment came when current Formula 1 Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad joined Armstrong on the rally stage. Lindblad initially experienced the Puma Rally1 as a passenger before taking the wheel with Armstrong as co-driver for a thrilling run. The contrast between the two disciplines offered a fascinating insight into the technical demands of the WRC.
Reflecting on the experience with the F1 star, Armstrong was enthusiastic about the opportunity to showcase rallying’s unique challenges.
“What an experience, and so cool to hear how F1 differs from rallying,” said Armstrong. “It was nice to hear all of Arvid’s stories too.
“He was definitely surprised at how technical and fast the Puma Rally1 was, even in such a narrow and twisty stage.”
Goodwood Festival of Speed gallery
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