Sverre Isachsen believes Subaru have made a step in the right direction after a strong showing in Atlantic City.
With the additional entry of Chris Atkinson, all three WRX STIs made the top ten in final practice and qualifying, with Atkinson consistently in the top six prior to the final. The event also marked the first time every Subaru entered for the weekend had made it to the final. Unfortunately, during the final, the Subarus of Atkinson and Bucky Lasek suffered from punctures – a recurring theme at Bader Field – while Isachsen battled turbo issues to finish ninth.
Despite the difficult end to the weekend, Isachsen thinks that the event gave a reason for optimism in the Subaru camp, although he admits the team are still a long way off from challenging fellow manufacturer efforts from Volkswagen and Honda.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said the triple European Rallycross champion. “Of course it’s important for us and indeed perfect for all of the people working around us, and of course perfect for Subaru, so it’s important.”
“But we have a long way to go so we will keep working,” he admitted. “There are ups and downs a bit but it’s really important to stick together and find a solution because we want to be on top, we want to be up there – I like there, I like that!”