Mitsubishi has won the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2025 crown, with Chayapon Yotha securing first place in the T1 class in a time of 16 hours, 15 minutes and 12 seconds.
The event was held in Pattaya, Khaoyai and Prachin Buri from August 9-16, covering more than 3,200kms (more than 1,000km of special stages). Other major manufacturers that took part included Toyota, Isuzu and Ford.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which receives technical support Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, competed with three Triton pickup trucks (T1 specification, or modified cross-country vehicle) driven by Chayapon, Katsuhiko Taguchi who finished in fifth place, and Kazuto Koide placed 22nd overall.
Mitsubishi also won the Team Award – given to teams with three or more finishers based on the combined time of their top two vehicles – for the second time, and the first in two years.
According to a release from Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand), The rally officially began with Leg 1, traveling roughly 360 km northeast from Pattaya to Prachin Buri in eastern Thailand. This leg featured the rally’s longest SS, spanning 199.13 km.
Leg 2 took competitors about 500 km north from Prachin Buri to Khaoyai. The SS included a mix of rocky terrain and high-speed sections through plantations, highlighting the diverse landscapes AXCR is known for. Leg 3 remained in the Khao Yai area, where the already demanding course was made even tougher by afternoon squalls that turned the roads muddy, causing many vehicles to struggle.
Legs 4 and 6, originally planned to run within 50 km of the Cambodian border, were canceled due to safety concerns. Leg 5 proceeded as scheduled, returning to Prachin Buri for an SS near the city. Although the route followed the same path as SS1, the course had deteriorated significantly due to deep ruts left by vehicles in Leg 1 and fallen trees caused by continuous rain. Even top teams were caught in the mud, making it one of the most grueling days of the rally.
In Leg 7, the rally returned to Pattaya, retracing parts of the SS1 and SS5 routes. This stage featured narrow paths through plantations, pothole-ridden roads, and river crossings. The final day, Leg 8, concluded at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya.
Chayapon Yotha, the team’s ace driver, started in 12th position but quickly climbed the ranks with strong times in Leg 1, ending the first day in second place. Thanks to precise navigation by co-driver Peerapong Sombutwong and consistent driving that pushed for speed while minimizing mechanical strain, he took the overall lead in Leg 3.
Despite getting stuck in deep mud during Leg 5, he maintained an aggressive pace and recorded the second fastest SS time in Leg 7. He held onto the lead and won the rally by a narrow margin of seven minutes, claiming his second overall AXCR victory – his first in three years.
“I am truly happy to have claimed overall victory once again, thanks to the entire team playing their part perfectly and delivering a flawless vehicle,” Chayaphon said. “This year’s rally was extremely demanding, with rocky sections, mud, and slippery terrain. Yet, the Triton’s durability and exceptional handling allowed me to stay in control through high-speed corners and technical muddy stretches. I will be back next year to defend the championship.”
AXCR 2025 Auto Category – Overall Standings
1. Chayapon Yotha (Mitsubishi Triton) 16 h 15 m 12 s
2. Mana Pornsiricherd (Toyota Hilux Revo) 16 h 23 m 03 s
3. Bailey Cole (Ford Raptor) 17 h 08 m 29 s
4. Ditsapong Maneein (Isuzu D-Max) 17 h 09 m 32 s
5. Katsuhiko Taguchi (Mitsubishi Triton) 17 h 37 m 56 s
