Global Rallycross: Isachsen, Subaru break through at Seattle

Sverre Isachsen gave Subaru Rally Team USA its first victory at Red Bull Global Rallycross Seattle, the ninth round of theb season. Behind him, an intense championship shakeup saw Joni Wiman steal the points lead from Ken Block, with four drivers able to take the championship in next month’s season finale in Las Vegas.

HEAT RECAPS: Due to a pushed back schedule on Friday, this weekend’s event followed the same format as the second half of the Los Angeles doubleheader, with one round of heats and the semifinals paying points. Ken Block, Joni Wiman, and Rhys Millen won the three heats, while Block and Wiman also took the semifinals to line up on the front row. Tanner Foust won the last chance qualifier in only the third race for his new Volkswagen Beetle.

MAIN EVENT RECAP: Starting on the inside of the front row, Block had the clear-cut advantage, but after missing his braking point into the joker and then making contact with Tanner Foust, his hopes of extending the championship lead vanished. As Block limped around the course, Sverre Isachsen converted his second-row starting spot into the lead, to the delight of the Pacific Northwest fanbase.

Behind him, Brian Deegan ran in second, though WIman drove aggressively to make up time and eventually jokered to take away the spot. Deegan hung on for third in a tooth-and-nail fight with Nelson Piquet Jr., who settled for fourth place, while Rhys Millen overcame a last chance qualifier appearance to climb through the field and complete the top five.

1. Sverre Isachsen, #11 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI
2. Joni Wiman, #31 Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST
3. Brian Deegan, #38 Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta ST
4. Nelson Piquet Jr., #75 SH Racing Rallycross Ford Fiesta ST
5. Rhys Millen, #67 Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster
6. Scott Speed, #77 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Polo R
7. Patrik Sandell, #18 Olsbergs MSE Ford Fiesta ST
8. David Higgins, #715 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI
9. Ken Block, #43 Hoonigan Racing Division Ford Fiesta ST
10. Tanner Foust, #34 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross Beetle
11. Steve Arpin, #00 Royal Purple Racing/OMSE2 Ford Fiesta
12. Austin Dyne, #14 Barracuda Racing Ford Fiesta
13. Emma Gilmour, #27 Hyundai/Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster
14. Bucky Lasek, #81 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI