Isabell Rustad tops personal best in Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia to date at Drivecenter Arena
- RACERS
- 2 hours ago
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Young Norwegian talent Isabell Rustad delivered another strong performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia, topping her best result in the series to date with a sixth-place finish under the midnight sun at Drivecenter Arena.
Young Norwegian talent Isabell Rustad delivered another strong performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia, securing her best result in the series to date with a sixth-place finish under the midnight sun at Drivecenter Arena in Fällfors, Sweden.
After making an impressive debut at Anderstorp in the opening round—where she claimed a pair of seventh-place finishes—Rustad once again showed consistency and progress in her rookie Carrera Cup campaign. Driving the challenging 992 GT3 Cup car for Fragus Motorsport, representing HTB Racing, the reigning Porsche Sprint Challenge Scandinavia GT3 champion continues to impress in Scandinavia’s top-level one-make series.
During the traditional Midnattssolsloppet event at Sweden’s northernmost race track, Rustad began the weekend with a strong qualifying performance, setting the seventh-fastest time in the first session. Thanks to the series format, this result earned her a spot in the top-eight shootout for Race 2 grid positions—one of her personal goals for the season.
Once again, she qualified seventh for the second race. Qualifying was therefore a very positive one, as she managed to set good times when the tyres were at their peak, which had been one of Rustad's main goals this year.
"The goal this season is to develop myself through a lot of driving and to reach the finish line in every race", she explained. "I feel I am very much on track and we are working in the right direction. I am becoming more and more stable and we are constantly chasing hundredths and millimeters."
Starting seventh in both races, Rustad made a lightning start in the opening contest, overtaking Marcus Annervi to climb to sixth in the early stages. Although Annervi managed to reclaim the position after a few laps, Rustad maintained her pace and crossed the line in seventh—matching her best result from the opening round.
The race was won by her Fragus Motorsport teammate Daniel Roos, with fellow teammate William Siverholm taking second place.
"In the first race I had a great start and got past Marcus Annervi and up to sixth place", Isabell commented. "After a couple of laps Annervi managed to get past me again and I tried to hang on as best I could. It was a nice seventh place for me"
The second race of the weekend took place in scenic conditions late in the evening, starting at 11:30 pm and running past midnight—creating a Le Mans-like atmosphere. Rustad again started from seventh and delivered a composed drive under the fading light.
"It was both special and fun with a slightly different routine than usual. Driving at dusk gave a bit of a Le Mans feel, but I felt that it had been a long day so it was a tough race."
Finding herself in a gap between cars midway through the race, Rustad focused on maintaining a steady rhythm and defended her position to the chequered flag, claiming sixth place—her best finish so far in the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia.
Victory in the second final went to Marcus Annervi, with three-time Carrera Cup champion and seven-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson taking second.
"I ended up in a bit of a vacuum where there was quite a bit of distance both forward and backward after half the race, so the focus was mostly on holding my position to the finish where I ended up in a nice sixth place in the final", she recalled.
Following another learning-oriented yet mature weekend, Isabell Rustad now sits seventh overall in the championship standings with 37 points, making her the best rookie in the series. With just five points separating her from fifth place, she remains firmly in the fight in the midfield of this ultra-competitive series.
"Yes, I need some time to work my way into the championship", Rustad reflected. "The level of the fastest in the class is extremely high, so we have a bit of work to do. It is fun to be the best newcomer and it confirms that I am getting faster and more consistent every time I drive the car"
Looking ahead, Rustad will return to action in just two weeks' time for round three at Jyllandsringen in Denmark—a technical and twisty circuit that promises a new set of challenges.
“Jyllandsringen is the most winding and slowest track we are racing on this year. It’s very technically difficult, so it will be a tough challenge — and I’m looking forward to it,” Rustad concluded.
