AXCR 2024: Team Mitsubishi Ralliart is now leading the rally

There’s really something hidden behind the confident smile Hiroshi Masuoka gave at the start of this year’s Asia Cross Country Rally.

After taking a steady start in the first three legs, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart is now leading the rally after Leg 4. The #103 Triton driven by 2022 winner Chayapon Yotha has overturned a 7 minute deficit to a 24 minute lead heading into the rally’s final two legs.

Yotha and co-driver Peerapong Sombutwong set the second fastest time on SS4, setting a time of 3 hours, 26 minutes and 45 seconds. They were only bested by the #105 Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux that finished the course just 5 seconds faster than the Triton.

The two trucks were in a class of their own at SS4, finishing almost 10 minutes faster anyone else and 23 minutes faster than the third-placed Isuzu D-MAX of the Suphan Explorer Liqui Moly Rally Team.

Meanwhile, the #115 Toyota Gazoo Racing Indonesia Fortuner that was leading after Leg 3 had a troubled day, as 60-year old Ikuo Hanawa could only muster a time 1 hour slower than the #103 Triton. As a result, the #115 Fortuner has dropped to 7th place overall.

On the other hand, the sister #107 Triton driven by Katsuhiko Taguchi is in 5th place overall. After Leg 4 in the overall standings, the top six places consist of two Tritons, two Hilux GR-S, and two D-Max pickup trucks.

The next Leg will feature the longest SS of the rally with a 172.15 km section set in an area west to northwest from the base in Kanchanaburi. With the Hilux and Triton looking evenly matched in terms of pace, it’s going to be a tight battle at the top until the end.