Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Triton Finishes in First Place Overall at Its First Attempt in the Asia Cross Country Rally 2022 JCN Newswire

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Triton Finishes in First Place Overall at Its First Attempt in the Asia Cross Country Rally 2022

November 29, 2022
TOKYO, Nov 29, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which receives technical support from Mitsubishi Motors, participated in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2022 that ran from November 21st to 26th in Thailand and Cambodia with Triton rally cars (Group T1 prototype cross-country vehicles). Over a total distance of 1,524 kilometers (km), including 637 km of timed special stages (SS), driver Chayapon Yotha (Thailand) finished in first place overall, with a total time of 8 hours, 22 minutes and 42 seconds, and driver Rifat Sungkar (Indonesia) finished in fifth position, with 17 minutes and 14 seconds behind the leader.After a three-year absence, the AXCR got under way on the 21st in Buriram in the northeastern part of Thailand, where the first SS of the rally and a ceremonial start were held. Leg 1 on the 22nd to Leg 3 on the 24th included SS located in the area around Buriram. Leg 4 on the 25th saw the rally cross the border into Cambodia after finishing the SS around Buriram, while Leg 5 on the 26th ended at the spectacular ceremonial goal near Angkor Wat, the famed tourist attraction in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The first half of the rally in Thailand consisted mainly of high-speed stages on rough, dry unpaved roads, while the second half was more challenging with large, deep puddles scattered on muddy roads caused by heavy rain, and a tougher course compared to the previous five stages awaited the participants in Cambodia. Chayapon Yotha, driving the car #105 Triton, finished fifth in SS1 on the first day. On the second day, he set the fastest time in SS2, the longest SS of this year's AXCR with a 203 km course, and climbed to the top overall position. After that, the powerful driving performance and nimble handling of the Triton helped him to finish SS3 in seventh, SS4 in sixth, SS5 in fifth, and SS6 in fifth, and he maintained the lead he had established in SS2 to take the overall win. Rifat Sungkar in car #118 finished SS1 in sixth place following his teammate. He was aiming for higher positions, but after suffering a flat tire and subsequent damages to the chassis in SS2, he dropped to eighth position. The team's repair work allowed him to continue the rally the next day, and he finished fourth in SS3, fifth in SS4, fourth in SS5, and seventh in SS6, completing the rally in fifth overall while proving the toughness of the Triton. Sakchai Hantrakul in car #119 tested positive for Covid-19 after SS1 and unfortunately had to retire the rally. Hiroshi Masuoka, team director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, commented: "For this year's AXCR, we built on the high reliability and durability of the Triton by tuning the engine and chassis, and entered the rally with specifications relatively close to the production car. Even so, the two Triton rally cars delivered powerful driving, and I am very proud of our high finish. The superb performance came down to the drivers, who were able to extract the Triton's performance and show us some great drives, the engineers who worked every day to fine-tune the vehicles perfectly, all the staff who provided support, and the know-how that Mitsubishi Motors has accumulated over the years. Key to it all was the tremendous support from our sponsors and the passionate messages of support we received from fans around the world. We would like to feed the knowledge we gained through our participation in the AXCR back into the development of production vehicles, and build Mitsubishi vehicles that are even tougher, more powerful, and more reliable." AXCR 2022 Auto Category Overall Results1st Chayapon Yotha (Mitsubishi Triton) - 8:22:422nd Jaras Jaengkamolkulchai (Toyota Hilux Revo) - 8:28:293rd Ikuo Hanawa (Toyota Fortuner) - 8:28:344th Takuma Aoki (Toyota Fortuner) - 8:38:265th Rifat Sungkar (Mitsubishi Triton) - 8:39:566th Tawee Neanna (Isuzu D-Max) - 8:51:24 Daily reports AXCR special website Daily reports from November 21st, the first day of the rally, to the last leg on November 26th are posted on Mitsubishi Motors' AXCR special website. www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/innovation/motorsports/axcr2022/ Triton rally car on display at Mitsubishi Motors' headquarter showroom Starting on November 21st, the Triton rally car AXCR 2022 replica is on display at the company's headquarter showroom in Tamachi, Tokyo. About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) --a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan--, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, mainland China, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Russia. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification--launched the i-MiEV -the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV -the world's first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. The company announced a three-year business plan in July 2020 to introduce more competitive and cutting-edge models, including the Eclipse Cross (PHEV model), the all-new Outlander and the all-new Triton/L200.For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company's website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
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Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Heads to Asia Cross Country Rally 2022 with the Triton – Rally to Start on November 21 JCN Newswire

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Heads to Asia Cross Country Rally 2022 with the Triton – Rally to Start on November 21

November 18, 2022
TOKYO, Nov 18, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which receives technical support from Mitsubishi Motors, will participate in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2022 to be held from November 21st with three Triton rally cars (Group T1 prototype cross-country vehicles).Team Mitsubishi Ralliart On the first day of the competition, the team will drive a special stage (SS) in Buriram, northeastern Thailand, followed by a ceremonial start, and then will enter a full-scale stage in Thailand from the 22nd, before reaching the goal in Siem Reap, northwestern Cambodia, on the 26th.On November 9th, prior to the opening of the AXCR, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart carried out a shakedown of the Triton rally cars that will compete in the AXCR, on the proving ground of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MMTh) in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand. In previous years, the rally had been run in August during the rainy season, which created challenging routes of mud-clogged roads and river crossings, but this year, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the rally start back to the drier month of November. As a result, in addition to the tough routes, the team is anticipating dry, off-road trails and new challenges including steep gradients. To prepare for these challenges, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart subjected the Triton rally cars to a total of 1,900 kilometers of endurance testing. After checking the reliability and durability of the rally cars while making final engine and chassis adjustments to deliver both powerful performance and ease of handling, the team was able to confirm that the cars are ready for the rally. In Leg 0, a total of 56 machines - 21 vehicles in the motorcycle category, 2 in the sidecar category, 32 in the car category, and 1 in the truck category - will run in an opening SS in the city and then participate in the ceremonial start to be held at the Chang Arena. The rally proper begins on the 22nd with Leg 1, and will be competed over courses in the area around Buriram, until Leg 3 on the 24th. Leg 4 on the 25th takes the rally close to the Thailand and Cambodian border before crossing into Cambodia for the final Leg 5 on the 26th, to the finish line near the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat. Hiroshi Nagaoka, executive vice president of Mitsubishi Motors, commented:"The accomplished engineers of our development team, who had supported the team in winning numerous victories in the World Rally Championship and Dakar Rally, passed down the technology to our mid-career and younger generations and prepared the rally cars for the grueling AXCR. Under the leadership of team director Hiroshi Masuoka, who has won the Dakar Rally two times in a row, I am confident that the team will come together to deliver a strong performance with Mitsubishi Motors-ness. Please look forward to a great showing from Team Mitsubishi Ralliart." Hiroshi Masuoka, team director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, commented:"To lead the team to victory as team director, I have drawn on my rallying know-how and experience, built the team organization, and worked to hone our cars. The Triton rally cars have improved with every running, and they are now faster, stronger, and tougher. We have a great service organization in place to support the team, allowing the drivers to apply 100 percent of their own potential. The whole team is ready for this tough challenge." Daily reports on AXCR special website Starting on November 21st, the first day of the rally, and continuing to the last leg on November 26th, Mitsubishi Motors will post daily reports on the company's AXCR special website.www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/innovation/motorsports/axcr2022/ Exhibition of Triton rally car replica in Japan At the JAF Motorsport Japan 2022 to be held on November 19th and 20th in Odaiba, Tokyo, a Triton rally car AXCR 2022 replica will be on display for the first time in Japan. JAF Motorsport Japan 2022 website (in Japanese only):www.motorsport-japan.com/ Mitsubishi Motors will also display the same car at the company's headquarter showroom in Tamachi, Tokyo, from November 21st, the first day of the AXCR 2022. About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) --a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan--, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, mainland China, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Russia. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification--launched the i-MiEV --the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV --the world's first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. The company announced a three-year business plan in July 2020 to introduce more competitive and cutting-edge models, including the Eclipse Cross (PHEV model), the all-new Outlander and the all-new Triton/L200.For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company's website atwww.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/ Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
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Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Conducts Endurance Tests of the Triton Rally Car for the Asia Cross Country Rally 2022 in November JCN Newswire

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Conducts Endurance Tests of the Triton Rally Car for the Asia Cross Country Rally 2022 in November

July 18, 2022
TOKYO, Jul 18, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which will compete in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2022 with Mitsubishi Motors' technical support, has conducted endurance tests of the Triton rally car on an off-road course in Thailand on June 27th and 28th, confirming that preparations for the rally are proceeding smoothly.Testing of the Triton Rally Car Video of the testing: https://youtu.be/lIgH6KQDF_c The endurance tests subjected the car to high loads comparable to those expected in the rally and focused mainly on the reliability and durability of the chassis and engine. To test the performance of the rally car in an environment similar to that of the actual course, the Team used a 10-kilometer course that combines a high-speed range, rough gravel road and a narrow, winding forest course. "Since the Triton has a robust chassis frame and an excellent handling performance, we decided to reduce the vehicle weight at a minimum for the rally modification while leveraging its original strength as much as possible," said Hiroshi Masuoka, team director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart. "Having covered more than 800 kilometers in two days, the rally car showed its great performance throughout the tough endurance tests as we expected, and now we are confident that our preparation is on the right track." AXCR is a grueling, week-long, 2,000-kilometer cross-country rally that races through the unique natural terrain of Southeast Asia. Normally held in August of each year, the rally was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the dates for the rally were pushed back to November 21st to 26th, and the course will be about 1,700 kilometers long, beginning in Buriram in the northeast of Thailand before crossing into Cambodia and ending at the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat. Triton rally car overview The Triton rally car is classified as a F?d?ration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Group T1 rally car (prototype cross-country vehicle). Based on the Thailand-specification double-cab model, the car?s hood, front and rear doors, interior and other parts have been lightened, while the body has been strengthened with a roll cage and under guards. The dedicated rally car suspension provides superb handling characteristics, while the front and rear limited-slip differential (LSD), large-diameter off-road tires and lightweight alloy wheels dramatically improve handling on rough road surfaces. Tuning of the 2.4 L diesel turbo engine has focused on reducing friction loss and weight, and improving responsiveness in the mid-speed ranges frequently used in rallies. Some AXCR stages include river crossings, so water-proofing modifications have also been added, such as stronger sealing and an air-intake snorkel.For more information, visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/newsrelease/2022/detail1384.html. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
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