KING ANEW
After last year’s run-of-mill performance, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart is now again back at the winner’s table, capturing the top plum at the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) held in Thailand last month.
Dubbed as the “toughest rally in Asia”, the nine-day race covered a total distance of 2,316.32 km, including 1,002.95 km of Special Stages.
The newly-crowned “King” of the Asian jungle competed with the modified cross-country Triton pickup truck, with team ace driver, Chayapon Yotha, behind the wheel.
He achieved a total time of 16 hours, 15 minutes and 12 seconds.
“I am truly happy to have claimed overall victory once again, thanks to the entire team playing their part perfectly and delivering a flawless vehicle,” he shared.
According to him, this year’s rally was extremely demanding, with rocky sections, mud, and slippery terrain.
“Yet, the Triton’s durability and exceptional handling allowed me to stay in control through high-speed corners and technical muddy stretches, delivering top-tier performance,” added Yotha.
“ I will be back next year to defend the championship.”
The team’s director, legendary multiple Dakar Rally champion, Hiroshi Masuoka, on the other hand, is likewise elated with their achievement, saying that winning was their top priority this year.
“I am thrilled we achieved it while showcasing the strength and audacity of Mitsubishi Motors-ness.”
He then continued that securing the team award is a testament to the collective effort and determination of everyone at Team Mitsubishi Ralliart.
“By refining the Triton’s core strengths – its stability on high-speed stages and agility on winding roads – we gained a competitive edge over rivals with larger-displacement engines,” Masuoka added.
“Looking ahead to next year, we will continue to enhance the vehicle to further boost our competitiveness.”
Thrill of the race
Reports say the race was thrilling as usual with a ceremonial start at Walking Street, a well-known tourist spot in Pattaya, Thailand.
Leg 1 covered a distance 360 km northeast from Pattaya to Prachin Buri in eastern Thailand. This leg featured the rally’s longest SS, spanning 199.13 km.
Leg 2 then took racers about 500 km north from Prachin Buri to Khao Yai. The SS included a mix of rocky terrain and high-speed sections through plantations, highlighting the diverse landscapes
Leg 3, meantime, remained in the Khao Yai area, where the already demanding course was made even tougher by afternoon downpours.
The following legs proved to be even tougher before they headed back again to Pattaya, with the final day, Leg 8, concluding at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya.
The rest of the team then finished efficiently.
Katsuhiko Taguchi secured fifth place; and Kazuto Koide placed 22nd overall.
With this, the team also earned the Team Award – given to teams with three or more finishers based on the combined time of their top two vehicles.
They have done this twice and the first in two years.
In 2024, Team Ralliart bagged fifth place, despite Yotha’s strong start, eventually retiring due to vehicle trouble.
In 2023, they finished third place overall with the new Triton, while in 2022 they won in their first attempt with the Triton/Strada rally cars.
