Codemasters enters Junior WRC Championship with launch of DiRT Rally Team

Over its 35-year history, Codemasters has become known for amazing rally games.

From the Colin McRae Rally series in the late 90s all the way to DiRT Rally 2.0 today. Now, they are getting involved in real world racing too.

Codemasters DiRT Rally Team

Junior WRC is widely regarded as one of the most fiercely contested series of the year. Open to driver under 30, all of whom compete in an identical Ford Fiesta Rally4, its an even playing field where talent can shine through.

Drivers then tackle stages and routes across five European venues that are identical to WRC.

As you would expect, Codemasters' team has more than a hint of esports and gaming about it.

Esports champion to real world racer

The Codemasters DiRT Rally Team will feature Jon Armstrong in the driver's seat.

Armstrong is not only Codemasters' resident rally expert, but also a familiar face on the esports scene, having won the 2018 Esports WRC Championship.

His co-driver will be Phil Hall, an RAF reserve and ex-rally driver with several years' experience at WRC and Junior WRC levels.

“We’re excited to launch the Codemasters DiRT Rally Team, and we have high hopes for Jon and Phil in the upcoming Junior WRC season,” said Ross Gowing, DiRT Rally Game Director at Codemasters. “Working alongside Jon, I know the skill, passion, and dedication he brings. He’ll have the entire studio and DiRT Rally community behind him.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to Codemasters for putting their faith in me, and I’m honoured to be the driver for the Codemasters DiRT Rally Team,” said Jon Armstrong. “Due to lockdown, my partnership with Phil has developed through training using DiRT Rally 2.0. We can’t wait for the Junior WRC to start, and we will share our experiences with the community through a series of behind-the-scenes videos.”