PRESS RELEASE

Roadside repairs and strong stage times highlight progress as Armstrong and Byrne reach the finish on first WRC rally outside Europe

Naivasha, Kenya - 16th of March 2026
Jon Armstrong and co-driver Shane Byrne survived an incredibly tough Safari Rally Kenya to bring their Ford Puma Rally1 home in 15th on their first rally outside Europe.

Only four other Rally1 cars finished the rally without missing any stages, underlining the severity of the conditions crews faced in Kenya’s rainy season.

Despite suffering multiple punctures, damaging rear suspension, and battling a water temperature warning, the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy duo showcased both their pace and mechanical aptitude across the four-day gravel marathon.

Armstrong and Byrne started well on their Safari debut, setting consistent times including a top-five time on stage four to hold eighth overall, just 20 seconds behind eventual rally winners Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston.

Friday brought the kind of drama Safari Rally Kenya is renowned for. A puncture on stage eight was followed by an impact on stage nine that damaged the Puma’s rear right suspension arm. The Irish pairing lost over 20 minutes, but their roadside repairs ensured they completed Friday’s remaining stages and avoided an early retirement.

Their perseverance was rewarded on Saturday when Armstrong demonstrated his genuine pace on Sleeping Warrior, setting the second-fastest time on the 14-kilometre test. Another top-five time on Sunday’s penultimate Oserengoni stage highlighted their competitiveness on their first gravel event in Rally1 machinery.

Quote - Jon Armstrong

“It was quite a difficult event overall, but there were still some highlights across the weekend,” said Armstrong. “We managed to set a couple of good stage times, particularly on the first run through Sleeping Warrior, where we found a really good rhythm and pace to set the second-fastest time.

“In a strange way, the toughness of the rally was also a positive for us. We were able to show that our mechanical preparation had improved. Even though we lost a lot of time at points, we managed to stay out of super-rally and get the car to the finish, which we’re proud of.

“I have never rallied in conditions like that before - there was swampy water, deep mud, and constantly changing grip. Recce was a big task in itself. We had a game plan that was working quite well until stage nine, when we broke a rear suspension arm.

“That was a bit of a shame because there were issues affecting a lot of drivers, and we might have been able to capitalise on that. But that’s the nature of Kenya.

“Even so, it was an amazing experience. The weather conditions with the rainy season made the rally incredibly tough, and the stages had everything - mud, dry sections and very rough roads. The atmosphere in Kenya is also incredible. The people are so friendly and passionate about the rally, and you can really feel the history of the event when you’re there.

“It is great that the Safari Rally is still part of the championship because it really tests both man and machine. The cars are so reliable nowadays, but an event like Safari still pushes everything to the limit in some of the toughest conditions imaginable.”

Armstrong was quick to congratulate Katsuta on his maiden WRC victory while keeping his focus firmly on the next steps in his own development.

“It was also great to see Taka get his first win. From our side, we’re already focused on how we can keep closing the gap to the front. On Sunday, especially, when the top guys are pushing flat out for the bonus points, you can really see the level you need to reach. That’s something we’ll analyse carefully so we can keep improving going forward.”

Notes to Editors

• Event: Safari Rally Kenya (Round 3 of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship)

• Result: 15th overall (first rally outside Europe for Armstrong and Byrne)

• Driver / Co-driver: Jon Armstrong / Shane Byrne

• Car: Ford Puma Rally1

• Team: M-Sport Ford World Rally Team

• Academy: Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy

• Conditions: Rainy season - deep mud, standing water, rapidly changing grip and rough roads

• Key moments: Top-five time on stage four; running 8th overall early; suspension arm damage on stage nine repaired at the roadside; second-fastest time on Sleeping Warrior (14 km) on Saturday; top-five time on Sunday’s Oserengoni stage

• Winners: Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston

• Media assets

  • WRC: https://www.wrc.com/en/events/wrc-safari-rally-kenya-2026/wrc-rally-kenya-2026-results

  • PDF/Photos: https://ln5.sync.com/dl/c02c4af40#ubr44t9h-zj2g82ds-fum6vhxa-bzaurc9n

  • Password: wrC20268-)@

  • Website press hub: jonarmstrongrally.com/press

  About Jon Armstrong
  Jon Armstrong is an Irish rally driver and Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy representative competing in the FIA World Rally Championship. In 2026, he has stepped up to Rally1 for his first full WRC campaign with M-Sport, driving the Ford Puma Rally1 alongside co-driver Shane Byrne.

  Media contact
  Paul
  Email: admin@jonarmstrongrally.com

  ENDS