PRESS RELEASE
Armstrong and Byrne head to Tartu for WRC round nine as Rally Estonia unleashes the championship’s fastest gravel test
Tartu, Estonia – 14 July 2026 Jon Armstrong and co-driver Shane Byrne head to the FIA World Rally Championship’s fastest event so far this year as they tackle Rally Estonia, round nine of the season.
The M-Sport Ford duo travel to Tartu after showing an impressive turn of speed at Acropolis Rally Greece, where Armstrong claimed his maiden WRC stage victory before a turbo issue and punctures forced a Friday retirement. Armstrong was challenging for a podium place in Greece, giving him the confidence and momentum to deliver a strong result as the series moves to the Baltic state.
Further updates throughout the weekend will be published at jonarmstrongrally.com.
Rally Estonia is renowned for some of the highest average speeds in the World Rally Championship, with crews often exceeding 120 kph on flat-out gravel stages. Smooth, fast sections combine with blind jumps and technical forest challenges to create the ultimate challenge for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew. The best in world rallying will tackle 18 stages covering 301 competitive kilometres across Estonia’s unique gravel roads, opening with a 21-kilometre Raanitsa test at lunchtime on Friday and closing with two passes of the 24-kilometre Kaariku stage on Sunday.
For Armstrong, Rally Estonia brings valuable prior experience. The Fermanagh native has competed on the rally three times before, finishing second in the Junior WRC category on his debut, third the following year after a close battle with fellow competitors, and was running sixth in Rally2 machinery in 2024 before a small off and puncture cost him time.
Quote – Jon Armstrong
“Rally Estonia is always an event where the roads are quite sandy,” said Armstrong. “You have to really trust the grip and commit to the pacenotes. That is what it takes to be quick there.
“It is hard to carry too much across from the Acropolis Rally because Estonia is so different but we can definitely take a lot of confidence from Greece.
“The opening day was really positive. We drove a neat and tidy rally, made good use of our road position and showed we have strong pace when we find a good rhythm.
“The rhythm in Estonia will be completely different, so it’s not a direct comparison, but the plan is similar. We want to drive neatly, carry good speed without being overly aggressive, and see where our pace is. If we can find that rhythm early, hopefully we can be competitive.
“The next rallies are incredibly exciting. Estonia is already one of the fastest rallies on the calendar, but at least I have some previous experience there.
“Then we go straight to Finland, which is going to be even crazier. I have only done one day of Rally Finland back in 2016, so it will feel like a completely new event. To tackle those roads for the first time in nearly ten years in a Rally1 car is going to be the ultimate adrenaline rush.
“These next two rallies are what Rally1 cars are made for. It is the ultimate driving experience and we are really looking forward to it.
“To be competitive, you have to push yourself. It is not about taking unnecessary risks, but you do have to fully commit, trust your pacenotes and believe in the car over the fast crests and high-speed corners. That is what these rallies demand, and we are excited to take on that challenge.”
Notes to Editors
- Event: Rally Estonia (Round 9 of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship)
- Location: Tartu, Estonia
- Stages: 18 stages
- Distance: 301 competitive kilometres
- Surface: Fast gravel – smooth, high-speed sections with blind jumps and technical forest roads; among the highest average speeds in the WRC, with crews often exceeding 120 kph
- Schedule: Shakedown Thursday 16 July; competitive stages Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July, opening with the 21-kilometre Raanitsa test on Friday lunchtime and closing with two passes of the 24-kilometre Kaariku stage on Sunday
- Driver / Co-driver: Jon Armstrong / Shane Byrne
- Car: Ford Puma Rally1
- Team: M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
- Academy: Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy
- Context: Following his maiden WRC stage win at Acropolis Rally Greece, Armstrong targets a strong result on the championship’s fastest gravel rally, with Rally Finland to follow
Links for editors
- Official website (home): jonarmstrongrally.com
- Press hub: jonarmstrongrally.com/press
