Mitsubishi eyes back-to-back AXCR win in 2026

MANILA: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is eyeing to claim its second straight victory in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2026.

In a statement, the Japanese automaker noted that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart returns to Thailand for the week-long competition with its three-Triton pickup truck roster. 

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Operated by Tant Sport based in Thailand, the team is made up of:

Name	Position
Hiroshi Masuoka	Team Director
Chayut Yangpichit	Rally General Manager
Kopong Amatayakul	Chief Director
Chayapon Yotha	Driver
Peerapong Sombutwong	Co-Driver
Katsuhiko Taguchi	Driver
Takahiro Yasui	Co-Driver
Kazuto Koide	Driver
Eiji Chiba	Co-Driver
Noriyoshi Aiba	Technical support-Body, Chassis Development
Yasuhiko Noguchi	Technical support-Development Coordinator
Masataka Tsuiki	Technical support-Engine Development
Takashi Yoshihara	Technical support- Electrical and Electronic Systems Development
Akinori Yasui	Technical support- Vehicle strength and reliability

Yotha and Sombatwong were the overall winners of AXCR 2022 and 2025, Taguchi and Yasui achieved fifth place overall as the highest-ranked Japanese crew in AXCR 2025, and Koide and Chiba helped added points that led to the vehicle’s achievement last year. 

"AXCR 2026 is finally here. Since the endurance test in May, the team has continued to refine and fine-tune the vehicles, and the pre-event shakedown confirmed a high level of readiness across vehicle performance, driver readiness, and service operations. Together as a team, we will target both overall victory and back-to-back titles,” Masuoka, who was the first Japanese driver to win the Dakar Rally for 2 consecutive years (2002-2003), said.

“AXCR is also an opportunity to push both vehicles and people to their limits under extreme conditions. We will apply the knowledge gained through this rally to future product development, including the all-new Pajero scheduled for introduction this fiscal year," he added.

For his part, Yotha expressed confidence over their vehicle’s capabilities.

“This year, our confidence in our preparation outweighs the pressure that comes with last year's victory. The Triton is even more reliable and competitive than it was last year, and we felt very good about the vehicle during the shakedown. AXCR is a demanding rally where you never know what can happen until the very end, but my goal is to win every stage and bring overall victory to the team." 

Meanwhile, Taguchi is looking to finish on the podium this year.

"This will be my fourth attempt at AXCR, and I approach this year's rally determined to compete for the overall win. As a team, we will be aiming for back-to-back titles with Chayapon at the forefront, but I am also ready to challenge for a podium finish and even victory myself. The shakedown reaffirmed the vehicle's high level of readiness, and I am confident that we can compete under any road conditions. It will be a long and demanding rally, but I intend to tackle one stage at a time and contribute to the team's overall victory and back-to-back title."

Further, Koide vowed to give his best to support the team’s goal of achieving overall victory in concluding this year’s competition.

"This year, in addition to completing every Special Stage and achieving a strong result of my own, I will devote my full efforts to supporting the other two vehicles and contributing to the team's pursuit of overall victory and a second consecutive title. I also hope to bring back not only the knowledge gained through this rally but also the organizational and personal growth fostered through this challenge, so that it can be fed back into the development of future production vehicles."

Held in Thailand from August 9 to 15, AXCR 2026 features approximately 2,000 kilometers of jungle trails, muddy roads, river crossings, and mountain routes from Pattaya to Phitsanulok via Prachinburi, Nakhon Sawan, and Kamphaeng Phet. 

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart is among the 79 entries that will compete in one of Asia's largest cross-country rallying events this year.

AXCR-prepped Triton race cars 

Based on the Mitsubishi Triton launched in 2023 and developed in compliance with FIA Group T1 regulations (modified cross-country vehicles), the race cars used in the event have continuously evolved and been refined since then.

These are their respective specifications:

SPEC
	Yotha/Sombutwong Car Taguchi/Yasui Car	Koide/Chiba Car
Total length and width (in millimeters [mm>)	4,920 x 1,995	5,070 x 1,865
Wheelbase (in mm)	3,130
Tread (in mm)	1,730	1,570
Engine	Four-cylinder, 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel (4N16)
Fuel injector	High-pressure common rail
Turbocharger	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine and Turbocharger VG Turbo charger
Maximum output (in horsepower)	214.6 or more
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters)	500 or more
Exhaust system	HKS AXCR Competition Model
Transmission	Six-speed sequential transmission Moty’s gear oil Ogura Clutch reinforced clutch	Six-speed automatic transmission
Four-wheel-drive system	Full-time	Super Select 4WD-II
Front/Rear Differential	Cusco limited-slip differential
Front suspension	Independent suspension/double wishbone coil spring
Rear suspension	Rigid/four-link coil spring
Shock absorbers	Cusco adjustable front and rear twin dampers
Bump stops	Hydraulic
Steering	Rack and pinion (power steering)
Brakes	Endless monoblock brake calipers, ventilated disc, pads FORTEC racing brake fluid
Wheels	WORK CRAG T-GRABIC MC aluminum alloy wheels (17-inch x 7J)
Tires	Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 (245/75R17)
Other features	Carbon fiber: engine hood, front fenders, front and rear door panels, cargo outer panel	Carbon fiber: engine hood, rear door panels, cargo outer panels

Aside from the three race cars, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart has four Delica D:5 support cars that will be used at the event.

These vehicles help maintain the competition cars and overall team operations, and they facilitate rapid service operations and data collection through their excellent off-road capability on demanding unpaved roads and wet surfaces. 

One of the four vehicles is the current Delica D:5 equipped with Mitsubishi Motors' Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated vehicle dynamics control system assigned to Masuoka and engineers for transportation and rally course inspections.

All support cars share the same design theme as the rally cars, with a bold red color scheme expressing Mitsubishi Motors' passion for motorsports. 

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