Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will compete in the 2026 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) in Thailand from August 9 to 15, aiming to secure a second consecutive victory. The team will field three Triton pickup trucks, following a successful final shakedown on an off-road course in Chachoengsao, Thailand, on August 4.
Team Director Hiroshi Masuoka expressed confidence in the team's preparation, noting that the endurance tests since May have refined the vehicles to a high level of readiness. “Together as a team, we will target both overall victory and back-to-back titles,” Masuoka stated, emphasizing the rally's role in pushing vehicles and people to their limits under extreme conditions and its contribution to future product development, including the upcoming Pajero model.
Driver Chayapon Yotha, who contributed to last year's victory, highlighted the improved reliability and competitiveness of the Triton trucks. Yotha aims to win every stage and achieve overall victory. Fellow driver Katsuhiko Taguchi, making his fourth attempt at AXCR, is determined to compete for the overall win, while Kazuto Koide plans to support the team and gain insights for future vehicle development.
Mitsubishi Motors will provide daily updates on the rally's progress through its AXCR special website, covering the event from August 10 to 15. The AXCR is one of Asia's largest cross-country rallies, featuring challenging terrains such as jungle trails, muddy roads, and river crossings, with 79 entries expected to compete, including 43 four-wheel vehicles and 36 motorcycles.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will be supported by four Delica D:5 vehicles, which will handle maintenance and logistics, showcasing Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control system. These support cars share a design theme with the rally cars, featuring a bold red color scheme.
Operated by Tant Sport in Thailand, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart includes engineers from Mitsubishi Motors responsible for vehicle development and technical support. The driver lineup consists of notable figures such as Chayapon Yotha, Peerapon Sombatwong, Katsuhiko Taguchi, and Kazuto Koide, who have achieved significant success in previous AXCR events.