After determined efforts over the past 2 years, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart (which receives technical support from Mitsubishi Motors) was victorious in the Asia Cross-Country Rally (AXCR) 2025. The event, held in Thailand from August 8 to 16, had total distance of 2,316.32 kms which included 1,002.95 kms of competitive Special Stages (SS).
The team has been using the Triton pick-up truck in the events and for this year, it had the latest generation prepared to the T1 specification which is for modified cross-country vehicles.
Although there have been efforts to run the event with Malaysia included, unstable conditions in southern Thailand have prevented the organisers from doing so. This year’s AXCR began in Pattaya and the route went northeast from to Prachin Buri in eastern Thailand. This leg featured the rally’s longest SS, requiring a non-stop drive in rough conditions over a distance of 199.13 kms.
Leg 2 took competitors about 500 kms north to Khao Yai. The SS in this leg included a mix of rocky terrain and high-speed sections through plantations, highlighting the diverse landscapes AXCR is known for. Leg 3 remained in the Khao Yai area, where the already demanding course was made even tougher by afternoon storms that turned the roads muddy, causing many vehicles to struggle.
Legs 4 and 6, originally planned to run within 50 kms of the Cambodian border, were cancelled due to safety concerns. Leg 5 proceeded as scheduled, returning to Prachin Buri for an SS near the city. Although the route followed the same path as SS1, the course had deteriorated significantly due to deep ruts left by vehicles in Leg 1 and fallen trees caused by continuous rain. Even top teams were caught in the mud, making it one of the most gruelling days of the rally.
Leg 7 took the competitors back to Pattaya, retracing parts of the SS1 and SS5 routes. This leg featured narrow paths through plantations, pothole-ridden roads, and river crossings. The final day, Leg 8, concluded at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya.
In the overall standings, Chayapon Yotha secured first place with a total time of 16 hours, 15 minutes and 12 seconds; Katsuhiko Taguchi finished in fifth place; and Kazuto Koide placed 22nd overall. Team Mitsubishi Ralliart also received the Team Award – given to teams with three or more finishers based on the combined time of their top two vehicles – for the second time, and the first in two years.
“Winning was our top priority this year, and I am thrilled we achieved it while showcasing the strength and audacity of Mitsubishi Motors-ness. 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. Looking ahead to next year, we will continue to enhance the vehicle to further boost our competitiveness,” said the team’s director, Hiroshi Masuoka, a Dakar Rally winner.
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