Although Thomas Eek Murstad has confirmed that he will defend the title he claimed in RallyX and the CrossCar category in 2026, the Norwegian driver is already looking ahead, with a move to FC2 scheduled as early as this season.

In 2025, Murstad had the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges involved in stepping up from CrossCar to FC2. In addition to a test session at the Nysum circuit at the wheel of Elias Svensson’s car, the 2025 RallyX champion also impressed in his national championship, securing a third-place finish at Momarken behind David Norgaard and Kim Roar Johansen.

This initial learning phase has proven essential, as the technical characteristics of FC2 differ significantly from those of CrossCar.

“FC2 requires a real period of adaptation. The car’s weight and all-wheel drive change many aspects compared to CrossCar. That said, some of the foundations developed in CrossCar remain useful, especially in race situations,” Thomas explains.

“During the race where I tested the car, we didn’t work extensively on the setup, but I can already feel that the approach will be different from what I’m used to in CrossCar. It’s a completely different way of thinking about driving.”

Despite these new parameters, Thomas Eek Murstad is far from entering unknown territory. The Norwegian has already made several appearances in the Supercar category at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta, gaining valuable experience that should greatly ease his transition.

“Yes, I think my experience in Supercar is clearly an advantage. I already know the basics of driving an all-wheel-drive car with a turbo engine. On the other hand, having the engine in a rear-mounted position is something entirely new for me. There will definitely be things to learn, even if some skills from CrossCar will remain useful.”

For the coming season, Murstad plans to compete in three rounds of his national championship in FC2, while continuing his CrossCar campaign in the RallyX series. This progressive approach is designed to strengthen his foundations while preparing for the next stage of his career.

“My journey in CrossCar isn’t over, but today I’m moving forward with much more confidence. I’m proud of my path, with four consecutive seasons in which I’ve always finished on the podium. To win a championship, you need speed, but also for everything to fall into place,” Thomas continues.

“I believe I had the pace to win in previous years. In 2023, I finished just one point short of the title, which shows how much comes down to small details. Before winning the championship in 2025, I often started my seasons at a very high pace and found myself in the position of the driver being chased, which naturally creates a lot of pressure. Last year, the context was different. I was the one doing the chasing, and I knew I had nothing to lose. That mindset probably had a decisive impact on how the championship unfolded.”