Armstrong, co-driven by Shane Byrne, produced an impressive drive across 12 challenging Welsh asphalt stage, including a wet final two tests, to take the victory from M-Sport team-mate Romet Jürgenson by 29.2sec. The victory was also a first for M-Sport and the Ford Fiesta Rally2 in ERC since Adrien Fourmaux won Rally Islas Canarias in 2020.
“It has been a lot of hard work and a lot of years rallying and to get here is amazing,” said Armstrong. “A big thanks to M-Sport and to have a 1-2 for them is amazing also, and it shows the car is great and everyone in the team. I just can’t believe it it will take a while to sink in.
“It is all to play for in Croatia and it is another slippy rally, so anything is possible.”
Championship leader Miko Marczyk claimed the final place on the podium, while his nearest title rival Andrea Mabellini recovered from a two-minute penalty before the rally, to finish sixth.
It means a three-way tussle between Marczyk, Mabellini and Armstrong will decide the outcome of the ERC title race in Croatia next month.