Even though Thomas Eek Murstad didn’t enjoy the success he was hoping for at the previous round in Älvsbyn, the Norwegian driver sits just two points behind Martin Juga as the RallyX North Championship heads into its decisive stretch with upcoming rounds in Nysum and Estering. A scenario that certainly doesn’t bother the Norwegian.
Having secured a spot on the RallyX podium for three consecutive seasons, Murstad could well be on the verge of finally achieving his ultimate goal in 2025.
Highly competitive in Sweden at the end of June, where he claimed two Top Qualifier spots, the Norwegian racked up plenty of points—even if his performances in the weekend’s finals didn’t fully reflect his raw pace.
Since the start of the 2025 season, Murstad has been the most dominant driver in qualifying, collecting no fewer than eight session wins, 13 Top-3 finishes, and five fastest laps in races.
Despite missing out on a podium in Älvsbyn, the Norwegian remained relatively satisfied with his overall performance.
While Juga was limited to 29 points over the weekend, Murstad managed to score 48 out of a possible 60 in Sweden.
“As in Saturday’s first race, I just couldn’t turn my pace into a strong result in the final,” admitted Murstad.
“On the landing after the jump, everything on the left-hand side broke, so realistically my chances of finishing were slim. I think I was a bit too optimistic, but I’m still happy with what we showed at Älvsbyn. Sure, pole position isn’t really an advantage on this track since you start on the outside for the first big braking zone. Nevertheless, I managed to score some very strong points for the championship. Even though I didn’t get a win or a podium, overall, it was a very good weekend.”
Now, Murstad is turning his attention to Denmark and Germany, where he hopes to make the difference and secure his first-ever RallyX title.
“For these last two rounds, the goal is clear: deliver qualifying heats as strong as in Sweden while making sure I’m more careful in the finals. I’m not leading the standings, so I’ll need to be more efficient and aim for the win if I want to stay in the title fight. I’m confident. Nysum is a track where I’ve always felt comfortable, so I hope I can deliver a really strong weekend.”
Being the hunter rather than the hunted is a role Murstad seems to embrace.
“I think things will be a little easier to manage for me this time. Last year, I was leading the championship at this stage and I remember how intense the pressure was. This year, it’s different. I’m in a good position because I know I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”