Bruckless navigator Shane Byrne toasts first European Championship win

Bruckless navigator Shane Byrne was celebrating a first European Championship event win at the weekend.

Byrne called the notes for Fermanagh driver Jon Armstrong as they won Rali Ceredigion in Wales.

Armstrong and Byrne dominated the 12 stages to win by 29.2 seconds over M-Sport team-mate Romet Jurgenson.

“I’m 10 years working towards that,” Byrne told Donegal Live.

“I started in 2015 and such a road to this point. Like any sport it has its ups and downs but this was so special to take the top step.”

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The win boosts Armstrong's outside shot at the ERC title and he is 33 points behind leader Miko Marczyk, who was third, with just Rally Croatia remaining.

"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 one-two 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."

It is also a first victory in the British Rally Championship for Armstrong as the two series were both counting for the rally.