Armstrong excluded from West Cork Rally after stewards investigation

Rules state that each car must complete the rally under its own power, how Jon Armstrong's car arrived at parc ferme is under investigation by the Motorsport Ireland Stewards.

AWAITING DECISION: Fermanagh's Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and his Donegal co-driver Shane Byrne on the Glandore stage of the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally. Pic: Martin Walsh.

Following a stewards decision, Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta Rally2) has been excluded from the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally. The decision laid down at 8.45pm on Sunday followed a report from the Motorsport Ireland observer that Armstrong may have received outside assistance on the road section from the exit of Stage 18 to Parc Ferme. Having considered the matter, the stewards determined that Armstrong's car received outside assistance on the road section as video evidence was presented showing the fact. Armstrong was found to be in breach of Article 6.16 of Appendix 29 of the MI Yearbook. Part of that article states that "the entire event shall be completed by each car under its own power."  The Stewards are satisfied that Car no. 4 did receive outside assistance on the road section. Their decision reads: "Competitor No. 4 Jon Armstrong be excluded from the finishers list."  Armstrong was reminded of his right to appeal to Motorsport Ireland National Court.

Fermanagh's Armstrong in his M-Sport run Ford Fiesta Rally2 finished the final stage 34.8s ahead of the Citroen C3 Rally2 of Ballylickey's Keith Cronin with Monaghan's Josh Moffett also in a Citroen, a minute and 7.2s further behind in third. However, Armstrong's car developed an issue with its cooling system. Rules state that each car must complete the rally under its own power, how Armstrong's car arrived at parc ferme is under investigation by the Motorsport Ireland Stewards.