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M-SPORT POLAND TAKES TOP HONOURS IN RALLY3 AND RALLY4 CATEGORIES ON RALLY POLAND

Jon Armstrong and #samipajari claimed victory in #erc Junior and ERC3 Junior on the opening round of the FIA European #rally Championship, #rally Poland.

It was a monumental occasion for #msport Poland, competing on its home #event celebrating its centenary year in a totally new #erc category with the EcoBoot-powered Fiesta Rally3 which was built and developed in Krakow, Poland.

Armstrong and co-driver Phil Hall had briefly tasted the four-wheel drive Fiesta Rally3 at the start of the year and were eager to get back behind the wheel of the entry-level four-wheel drive car. Armstrong entered the all new #erc Junior category with team mate Ken Torn and Kauri Pannas who won six #erc Junior prize drives with the Fiesta Rally3 for 2021 after winning the 2020 ERC3 and ERC3J Championships in a Fiesta Rally4.

The young Estonian crew of Torn and Pannas took the opening #erc Junior stage win of the #rally, edging Armstrong by one second following a thrilling battle in qualifying that saw the pair separated by just 0.5 seconds. Torn and Pannas were unable to push for stage wins on the opening loop of the #rally due to a small electrical issue which was resolved during Saturday’s lunch-time service. Armstrong still delivered exciting pace on Saturday morning, concluding the loop 1.39 seconds per kilometre faster than the closest Rally2 Kit car.

Finnish Junior WRC sensation #samipajari made his ERC3 and ERC3J debut on #rally Poland and was competitive from the outset, shooting to the ERC3 and ERC3J lead after the first full length special stage on Saturday morning. In total, the flying Finn claimed four ERC3J stage wins from six stages on Saturday and led the ERC3 field by over 20 seconds after 130km of competitive stages.

Armstrong and Torn went into Saturday’s second loop driving their Fiesta Rally3 cars with determination to prove they each had the ultimate pace in the Fiesta Rally3, both took two stage wins each as Armstrong ended the day leading #erc Junior.

Pajari ended Saturday as the fastest ERC3 and ERC3J driver meaning he was in a good position to score maximum points in his Fiesta Rally4 provided he put in a good performance through Sunday’s six stages. The Finn took both stage wins before Sunday’s midpoint service, extending his lead to over 36 seconds against some of Europe’s promising up and coming #rally talents and three different #rally car manufacturers. With four stages to go Pajari stepped his performance up a gear, holding close to a minute lead with one stage separating him and his maiden ERC3 and ERC3 Junior victory.

Torn struck back on Sunday’s opening two stages with two stage wins in an effort to maximise on his #erc ‘day points’ (where drivers are awarded additional championship points in their category for their performance on each day of the rally). A particular highlight came on stage 12 when Torn, battling with Rally2 cars, set a time 1.7 seconds per kilometre faster than the best Rally2-Kit car on the #rally. Armstrong demonstrated his speed and ability all weekend, jumping into a brand new car with limited experience and settling into a top-performing rhythm with ease. Not content with just bringing his Fiesta Rally3 home to victory, the Northern Irishman was sure to try and match or better Torn’s times throughout Sunday. He was just 0.9 seconds short of Torn on SS12 and then 7.7 seconds faster than his Estonian team mate on SS13, the final full stage of the #rally.

There was a final blast through the streets of Warsaw for a super special stage to mark 100 years since the first ever #rally Poland with #msport Poland Rally3 and Rally4 machinery adding a new chapter to Polish #rally history.