Star driver Tommy Rustad and Norwegian Rallycross team HTB Racing, together with Nyborg Motorsportservice, will contest next year’s EuroRX series at the wheel of a Marklund Motorsport Volkswagen Polo RX SuperCar.
In 2014 Tommy Rustad competed with HTB Racing’s Volvo C30 SuperCar in the EuroRX series and eventually finished sixth overall in it’s final standings. In 2015 Tommy Rustad will do all five EuroRX rounds, in Belgium, Germany, Norway, Spain and Italy, and will also make an attempt on the WorldRX event at Höljes in Sweden on July 4 and 5.
In this year’s EuroRX series Rustad drove a Volvo C30 SuperCar to sixth place overall. © JKR/ERC24
Carsport all-rounder Tommy Rustad has a strong track record not only in Rallycross, but also in different tarmac racing disciplines. After winning the Norwegian SuperNational Rallycross Championship title for six years in a row (1987–1992) he competed in several international series like the British Touring Car Championship, the Swedish Touring Car Championship as well as in the World Touring Car Championship. Among many other successes Rustad claimed the titles ‘1993 Swedish Formula Opel Champion’, ‘1997 Renault Spider Eurocup Winner’, ‘1998 Independent BTCC Champion’, ‘2000 STCC Champion’ and ‘2000 Norwegian Touring Car Champion’.
Tommy Rustad pictured during the WorldRX round in his native Hell last June. © JKR/ERC24
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity Marklund Motorsport and HTB Racing gives me to be able to have better conditions for success in the FIA European Rallycross Championship. Marklund Motorsport is one of the most professional teams in the RallycrossRX series, and they have helped to develop the VW Polo RX SuperCar into a winning machinery. For myself this is the best Rallycross commitment up to now and I’m looking forward to test the car and to work close together with the other drivers, Swede Anton Marklund and Finn Toomas Heikkinen,” said Tommy Rustad today.
In 1992 Rustad drove the 650+bhp Ford RS200 E2 of his mentor Martin Schanche to overall victory in the Irish ERC round. © EL/ERC24
In the early 1990s Tommy Rustad was often labelled the ‘Crown Prince’ of ‘Mister Rallycross’ Martin Schanche. © EL/ERC24
Jan Marklund, the Team Pricinipal of Marklund Motorsport, commented: “We are absolutely delighted about this opportunity to offer a Volkswagen Polo RX SuperCar to Tommy Rustad for the EuroRX series. Tommy is very fast and an experienced race driver. With our Volkswagen Polo RX he will be a top contender for the coveted EuroRX title of next year. His presence will also boost our team and drivers – Anton and Topi – to go even faster in their WorldRX campaign.”
For six years Rustad, here leading Henning Solberg, was unbeatable in the Norwegian SuperNational Rallycross series. © EL/ERC24
Marklund Motorsport, which is supported by Volkswagen, is one of the most progressive Rallycross teams in the world. Based in Northern Sweden the team races globally in Rallycross championships, including the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the FIA European Rallycross Championship. Marklund Motorsport operates VW Polo RX SuperCars for both, Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen and Anton Marklund in the FIA World RX series.
Top photo: In 2015 Rustad is trying to tackle the EuroRX title with a VW Polo SC by Marklund Motorsport. © HTB/ERC24