(November 11, 2013) Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team driver Sverre Isachsen battled to a 5th overall finish at the season ending Las Vegas round of the 2013 Global RallyCross Championship. This was Isachsen’s fourth top-five finish of the season, including two podium finishes. Isachsen’s Subaru teammate Bucky Lasek drove impressively early and was faster than the more experienced Isachsen in qualifying, however Lasek was unable to reach the Final.

The season finale of the 2013 Global RallyCross Championship was held on a temporary circuit constructed alongside Las Vegas’ famed strip, in the shadow of the Casinos. The course was primarily tarmac with a short dirt section and table-top jump.

Isachsen narrowly missed his first chance to advance to the Final after a close battle in his first heat race saw him finish third, just behind the 2nd place transfer position. However, it was in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) that the real drama unfolded. Team driver Bucky Lasek unfortunately was unable to fight for a spot in the Final after his car stalled at the start of the LCQ and would not re-start.

Isachsen, starting from pole position in the LCQ, jumped out to a lead at the start before being hit by a hard charging Brian Deegan who cut in on Sverre from the outside of the first turn. After recovering from the impact with Deegan, Sverre was soon spun-out in a chaotic melee on the first lap, causing him to drop to the back of the pack.

After charging back to the pack of cars ahead Isachsen began to battle with Nelson Piquet JR for second overall and the two traded positions several times before Piquet JR spun Isachsen out from behind, sending Isachsen’s Subaru spinning into the wall. After the race an extremely angered Isachsen pleaded with race officials to review the incident. After reviewing the video footage race officials sided with Isachsen and disqualified Piquet JR for the aggressive contact, thus handing Isachsen the final transfer spot to the Final.

In the Final, Isachsen started from the back of the ten-car grid and worked his way up to a 5th Overall finish. “To take fifth place is really good for us after what we went through with the LCQ and then starting at the back of the grid in the Final. It’s almost a small victory,” explained Isachsen. “We struggled a little bit with the setup for the car at this track and it was not my favorite layout as there was so little dirt. But I’m really, really happy, it has been a good season. We have a new car for next year already running. It’s a really big step forward in speed and will really show the potential of the Subaru WRX STI in rallycross.”

“We are encouraged by the progress our rallycross program has made this season” stated Rob Weir, Subaru Motorsports Manager. “The team is consistently putting the Subaru WRX STI in the Supercar Final. Our development program is advancing rapidly. We look forward to fighting at the front of the pack in 2014.”

Team driver Bucky Lasek would close out his season by earning the prestigious 2013 Sportsmanship Award. This award was voted on by all GRC competitors. “I was honored to accept this award, I’ve had a really fun season competing with a great group of drivers and I can’t thank my team enough, without them I wouldn’t be here.” stated Lasek.

About Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team

The Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team is managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), PUMA, Method Race Wheels, BFGoodrich Tires, RECARO, PIAA, Race Proven, and MOTUL. For more information on the Subaru Puma RallyCross Team as well as exclusive photo and video galleries, visit http://subaru.com/rally and for the latest news follow the team on Twitter: @srtusa