After taking the overall lead on the second day of the six-day competition, Thai driver Chayapon Yotha driving the #105 Mitsubishi Triton/Strada didn’t look back. He crossed the finish line as the overall victor with a total time of 8:22:42—commanding an 8-minute lead over his closest competitor. This was Chayapon’s first attempt at the AXCR.

“It was a very tough battle over the six days, but I am very happy to take the overall victory. In order to win among rivals with larger engine displacements, I concentrated on reducing mistakes thoroughly and completing each corner and stage carefully. We were able to achieve good results in this rally because of the excellent handling performance of the Triton/Strada. It was very easy to control, allowing me to follow the line as I intended in any road surface conditions - tarmac, gravel or mud,” said Chayapon.

The #118 Triton/Strada Ralliart driven by Indonesian driver Rifat Sungkar crossed the line in fifth place overall after he suffered a tire puncture in Leg 1. Sungkar nursed his car, opting to continue the leg on three wheels and managed to pass the checkpoint with a wrecked wheel and brake. At the service area, the suspension, brake, tire and wheel were changed, and Rifat rejoined the race without a rear shock absorber.

“I enjoyed participating in a cross-country rally for the first time, and I am relieved that I was able to finish all the stages safely. This experience has allowed me to find issues that I need to work on, both in terms of my skills and the rally car. Once again, I felt that Triton/Strada is a truly tough, durable, and reliable car. It is amazing that we were able to fight through the rally with an almost production car,” said Sungkar.

Mitsubishi Team Ralliart’s third driver, Sakchai Hantrakul driving the #119 Triton/Strada Ralliart had to be retired from the rally due to a positive COVID-19 at the end of the first special stage (SS1).

“This was our first attempt to return to the motorsports scene under the name of Ralliart, and it was a very important rally for Mitsubishi Motors. I thought that it would be good enough for us to finish in upper rankings, but I am very happy that the team have taken an overall victory. The mechanics and engineers brought the Triton/Strada to the course in perfect condition every day, and the drivers and co-drivers brought out the best performance from the Triton/Strada. This victory was the result of teamwork and know-how that Mitsubishi Motors has accumulated over the years. Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will consider the possibility of coming back again next year and will fully prepare our team structure and the rally cars. We would like to thank all of our fans and sponsors for their great support,” commented Hiroshi Masuoka, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director.

A dominant force in rallying for decades—winning both the World Rally Championship and the Dakar Rally—Mitsubishi Motors is using the AXCR in order to garner technical data to enhance vehicle development and further refine their vehicles’ chassis, handling characteristics, and drivability.