Armstrong and Byrne confirm Donegal entry with M-Sport factory effort

European Rally Championship contenders Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne will challenge for this year’s Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally in a brand new Ford Fiesta Rally2 built by M-Sport.

The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy duo has set searing times on asphalt and gravel events across Europe in recent months, returning to Ireland after March's blistering drive on the West Cork Rally.

Kesh-born Armstrong has been a consistent frontrunner in Junior World Rally Championship and ERC events since shifting his focus to international rallies in 2021. The West Cork Rally was the 30-year-old’s first start in Ireland since 2019, where he went on to win 12 of 16 stages against top Irish Tarmac competition.

Now, Armstrong’s attention turns to his Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally debut, a chance to fulfill a childhood dream and continue to show the speed and potential of M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta Rally2. The 160th Fiesta Rally2 to be built will be prepared and serviced by M-Sport themselves, the first factory team effort since Alastair Fisher finished second overall in M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta S2000.

Ford has a rich heritage in Donegal with M-Sport-built World Rally Car wins in the hands of Sam Moffett and Gareth MacHale as well as famous victories in the 1990s by Stephen Finlay and James Cullen aboard a Ford Escort Cosworth and a Ford Sierra. Finnish World Rally legend Ari Vatanen kicked off Ford’s trend of Donegal success 47 years ago in a works-supported Ford Escort RS1800.

“I am really excited to compete on the Donegal International Rally for the first time,” said Armstrong. “I can remember spectating there from a young age, watching those amazing World Rally Car battles, and following the likes of Alastair Fisher going in the S2000."

“It feels strange that I haven't competed there before, but I am very grateful to get the chance this year. It is a three-day event, a long rally, but I am looking forward to the challenge."

“Rallying at home is special, we discovered that in West Cork, and we will soak up the atmosphere again in Donegal. It is cool to be going in a works M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, it is something to be proud of.”

Donegal native Byrne has started four Donegal International Rallies to date, marking his progression from clubman co-driving aboard a Honda Civic to more recent pacenote delivery in Rally2 machinery.

“It is amazing to be going to Donegal in a works car prepared by M-Sport and driven by somebody as competitive as Jon,” said Byrne. I am on these stages in my day-to-day job, and it is only natural to visualise and imagine the rally cars taking their racing lines or flying over some of the famous jumps."

“I always wondered if I would get the chance to compete on my home stages at this level. Well, this year we have got that chance and we are going to make the most of it. People look back to the golden days of the World Rally Cars, but these are the good times for me, coming over with M-Sport in a package from the top of the European Rally Championship."

“The ERC has honed and developed my co-driving skills, the events have been amazing, and we head to Poland in the week before Donegal for round four. It is going to be an extremely busy period of planning, but this is what I have dreamt of.

“You always get the same anticipation and pre-event nerves ahead of Donegal, but for me, those nerves are good as a way to keep sharp. Donegal is such a big event, it is about so much more than the two people in the car. You need a good support network around you for advice and also just to make the opportunity possible, so a big thanks to everyone involved in the background.”

The M-Sport and MI Rally Academy-backed effort is also supported by the freshly renovated Carrigart Hotel and Restaurant, CBM Signs, who are renowned around the world for their motorsport liveries, Hegarty’s Ford Letterkenny, Motoworld, long-time rally sponsor Cranford Stone, KES Group, Smart Modular Buildings who are based in Strabane and market leaders in the modular space across Ireland & the UK, and KWP Partitions & Ceilings, owned by the Wilson Family who have strong Donegal links based from Cavan they have multiple live projects around Dublin and Europe. More sponsors are expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Armstrong and Byrne are seeded one place behind two-time winner Callum Devine for the 2025 Donegal International Rally. With fellow MI Rally Academy driver William Creighton and Irish Tarmac contender Josh Moffett also in the mix, along with 2023 & 2024 ERC Champion Hayden Paddon, Donegal’s latest display of closed-road driving is set to be one of its best.

The three-day event starts on Friday, 20th June, with a blast over Malin Head before taking on famous stages like Knockalla, Atlantic Drive, and Fanad Head over the weekend. A total of 20 stages and 274 competitive kilometres complete Ireland’s leading motorsport event.