Mitsubishi Motors has announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, supported by the company, is set to compete in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2024 from August 11 to 17. This year’s rally will traverse southern and central Thailand, where the team will pilot four upgraded Triton pickup trucks, striving to reclaim the title they last held two years ago.
In preparation, the team conducted an 800-kilometer endurance test on an off-road course in Thailand in June. This test confirmed the rally car’s enhanced driving performance, maneuverability, and road handling while also highlighting areas for further improvement, particularly in the upgraded rear suspension. On August 6, just days before the AXCR, a final shakedown was performed at a test course in Thailand to ensure the vehicles were in peak condition for the competition.
Hiroshi Masuoka, Team Director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, stated, “We have significantly enhanced the Triton’s driving performance and rear suspension by drawing on the expertise gained from our Dakar Rally-winning Pajero. This results in a rally car capable of full-throttle performance even on high-speed stages.”
He added, “We have also refined the Triton’s existing strengths, such as road handling on extremely rough terrains. With the team now expanded to four vehicles, I am confident in our drivers and co-drivers. Our goal is not only to win the overall title but also to continue Mitsubishi Motors’ tradition of leveraging motorsport experience for vehicle development.”
AXCR 2024 Overview
This year’s AXCR will feature 67 vehicles: 46 in the auto category, 19 in the moto category, and 2 in the sidecar category. The rally will kick off with a ceremonial start at the Surat Thani clock tower on August 11, followed by Leg 1 on August 12. Leg 2, the longest segment, will stretch from Surat Thani to Hua Hin and is expected to be challenging due to large ruts and rock debris. Leg 3 will be a fast, flat dirt course around Hua Hin, while Leg 4 will navigate undulating mountainous terrain in Kanchanaburi. Leg 5 will cover plantations with flat terrain but limited visibility, and Leg 6, concluding on August 17, will finish at Skywalk Kanchanaburi, a popular glass-sided bridge.
Support Vehicles for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart
This year’s rally team will be supported by six vehicles: four Delica D:5s, an Outlander PHEV, and a Delica Mini.
The Delica D:5 is a versatile minivan with a sturdy frame and electronically controlled 4WD system, ideal for diverse road conditions. One Delica D:5 will be used by team director Hiroshi Masuoka to inspect the rally course, featuring an aluminum engine guard and a 20 mm lift for better handling on rough terrain.
The Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi’s flagship model, combines advanced electrification with all-wheel control technology, offering strong performance in various conditions and smooth acceleration.
The Delica Mini is a kei-car that offers a spacious interior and reliable road performance on unpaved surfaces.
All support vehicles are equipped with Work’s CRAG T-GRABICII alloy wheels (Work Emotion M8R for the Outlander PHEV) and Yokohama Rubber’s GEOLANDER off-road tires, ensuring excellent traction across muddy and varied terrains. Each vehicle features a matching design with the Triton rally cars, including an energetic red base color, digitized dust graphics, and gun metallic grey accents.
Exciting New Triton Debut in South Africa
Jeffrey Allison, General Manager: Marketing at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA), remarked, “The rally-spec Triton has been developed to ensure that our customers benefit from the same driving performance and durability. Our experience in motorsports is pivotal for vehicle development, aiming to deliver pure driving excitement. The all-new reimagined Triton will be launched later this year in South Africa.”