One of UK and Ireland’s leading World Rally Championship stars, Jon Armstrong, has revealed how last-minute support saved his place on 2022’s Junior WRC line-up.
Armstrong, who finished second in the series last year, admitted he didn’t think continuing in Junior WRC was possible less than a week ago. With days left to register, the 27-year-old still needed over £40,000 to complete his season’s budget.
A social media plea was met with an overwhelming response of support and subsequently led to the completion of Armstrong’s financial requirements for WRC’s five-round support series.
“For sure, I don’t think Junior WRC would have happened for me this year without a big effort last week to get more people involved,” Armstrong explained.
“I was surprised by the positive response I got from putting out online that I was struggling to get a full budget.
“In previous years I have started without a full budget in place to complete the championship. Circumstances this year meant that I wasn’t able to do that.
“It is absolutely amazing to see how many people are supporting me after last year.
“It seems that I’ve grown a really good fan base which is something that I am very proud of. It is nice to know that people are enjoying my journey and want me to do well.
“It is crazy to think that a week ago I didn’t think it was going to be possible. Now we are in a much more positive position.”
Armstrong’s second full season in Junior WRC starts on next month’s Rally Sweden. He’ll tackle the iconic snow rally in M-Sport Poland’s Ford Fiesta Rally3, Junior WRC’s new four-wheel-drive car.
The Warwick-based Northern Irishman was grateful for the understanding of M-Sport Poland and Junior WRC organisers who gave him some extra time to pull his programme together.
Now, his full focus is on swapping runner-up in 2021 to champion in 2022.
“It is good to have another year in Junior WRC sorted. Obviously I came very close to winning it last year.
“It has a special place in my heart having grown up watching Kris Meeke, Craig Breen, Elfyn Evans, and Alastair Fisher compete at that level. I always watched it when I was younger and it was where I wanted to go.
“To be able to compete two years in a row at that level is something I haven’t been able to do before.
“There are still a lot of things going on in the background to get us fully prepared for the year.
“I think we are in a really positive position now though, it is just a case of getting things organised.”
Armstrong was a leading runner in Junior WRC last year but with a new car, new events, and even a new co-driver this year, Armstrong can’t take anything for granted.
Fellow Fermanagh man, Brian Hoy, joins Armstrong as his co-driver for 2022. Hoy has plenty of experience with Callum Devine and Cathan McCourt at Junior WRC and European Rally Championship level.
Junior WRC has confirmed its eight crews as it steps into four-wheel-drive competition for the first time. William Creighton and Liam Regan double Northern Ireland’s representation while 2021 champion Sami Pajari returns with his prize package of fully-funded Rally3 drives.
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Photos courtesy of Junior WRC