Team Mitsubishi Ralliart to defend AXCR title

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, last year’s Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) winner, is set to defend its title in the 2023 edition of the said rally race.

According to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the team will compete in the 2023 AXCR event in August with last year’s champions Chayapon Yotha and Peerapong Sombutwong as well as the duo of Rifat Sungkar and Chupong Chaiwan, who scored fifth in the 2022 AXCR.

The veteran drivers will be joined by newcomers Katsuhiko Taguchi and Takahiro Yasui.

Per the Japanese carmaker, the three driver pairs will be aboard their respective Mitsubishi Triton (aka Strada) Group T1s (prototype cross-country vehicles).

“Based on the original strength of the all-new Triton, the handling performance, stability on rough roads, and ride comfort are further improved as a rally competition car. In addition, the turbocharger has been improved to increase engine response throughout the entire rally range from low to high rpm, resulting in a powerful rally car that can handle any road conditions,” said Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director Hiroshi Masuoka.

To prepare for the rally race, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart conducted rigorous endurance tests of the Triton rally cars on an off-road course near Khao Yai National Park, in the heart of Thailand.

Per Mitsubishi, the rally cars have been completely redesigned, including their body, frame, chassis, and engine.

“We have conducted the endurance test with a harder course setting than the actual rally conditions, but the testing cars were able to drive through about 800 kilometer each without any major initial troubles, confirming performance beyond our expectations and giving us great confidence for our second consecutive championship,” added the two-time consecutive Dakar Rally champion driver.

Providing technical support for the Tant Sport-owned rally team will be Mitsubishi Motor Corporation. Meanwhile, the race crew will get additional support from its partner brands, namely, Carrosser Co., Ltd.; Endless Project Co., Ltd.; Eneos Corporation; Fortec Motorsport Ltd.; Hankyu Hanshin Express Co., Ltd.; HKS Co., LTD.; PT Pertamina; Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.; and Work Co., Ltd.

Photos from Mitsubishi Motor Corporation 

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