Victory Announcement
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, with technical support from the company, has won first place in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2025. The event was held in Thailand from August 8 to 16. The team competed using the Triton pickup truck, covering a total distance of 2,316.32 kilometers, including 1,002.95 km of Special Stages (SS).
Chayapon Yotha secured first place overall with a time of 16 hours, 15 minutes, and 12 seconds. Katsuhiko Taguchi finished fifth, and Kazuto Koide placed 22nd overall. The team also received the Team Award for the second time, recognizing the combined performance of their top vehicles.
Rally Overview and Challenges
The AXCR 2025 commenced with a ceremonial start in Pattaya, Thailand. The rally featured various challenging legs, including long Special Stages, mixed terrain with rocky sections and high-speed portions, and muddy conditions caused by rain and squalls. Some legs were canceled due to safety concerns. The course often deteriorated, presenting significant challenges like deep ruts and fallen trees.
Driver Highlights
Chayapon Yotha, starting 12th, climbed to the lead by Leg 3, showcasing consistent driving and precise navigation. Despite a minor setback in Leg 5, he maintained his pace to win by a seven-minute margin, marking his second AXCR victory.
Katsuhiko Taguchi, initially fifth, faced suspension damage in Leg 3 but recovered strongly, overtaking 18 competitors in Leg 5 to finish sixth overall. His determined driving secured fifth place, the highest among Japanese pairs.
Kazuto Koide experienced early challenges, including a collision and rear brake failure, but supported his teammates and improved on his previous year's result, finishing 22nd overall.
Team and Driver Comments
Hiroshi Masuoka, Team Director: "Winning was our top priority... Securing the team award is a testament to the collective effort... By refining the Triton's core strengths – its stability on high-speed stages and agility on winding roads – we gained a competitive edge... we will continue to enhance the vehicle to further boost our competitiveness."
Chayapon Yotha, Driver of Car #112: "I am truly happy to have claimed overall victory... the Triton's durability and exceptional handling allowed me to stay in control... I will be back next year to defend the championship."
Katsuhiko Taguchi, Driver of Car #105: "The Triton continues to evolve year after year, and its suspension and handling capabilities were crucial... I am confident we can achieve even better results next year."
Kazuto Koide, Driver of Car #118: "The Triton I drove was equipped with an automatic transmission... yet it proved remarkably resilient... The handling and maneuverability I experienced will provide valuable feedback for future vehicle development."
AXCR 2025 Overall Standings (Auto Category)
- Chayapon Yotha (Mitsubishi Triton): 16 h 15 m 12 s
- Mana Pornsiricherd (Toyota Hilux Revo): 16 h 23 m 03 s
- Bailey Cole (Ford Raptor): 17 h 08 m 29 s
- Ditsapong Maneein (Isuzu D-Max): 17 h 09 m 32 s
- Katsuhiko Taguchi (Mitsubishi Triton): 17 h 37 m 56 s
- Natthaphon Angritthanon (Toyota Hilux Revo): 17 h 46 m 52 s
- Kazuto Koide (Mitsubishi Triton): 29 h 34 m 31 s
Further Information
Rally reports are available on Ralliart's official Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/ralliart.official/
AXCR Special Website: https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/brand/ralliart/axcr/axcr2025/
About Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, known for its competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The company is committed to electrification, aiming for 100% electrified vehicle sales by 2035 to contribute to a carbon-neutral society.
For more information, visit https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/.
