Mitsubishi Motors made an exciting announcement this week regarding the participation of Team Ralliart in the upcoming August 2023 Asia Cross Country Rally. Having emerged victorious in last year's event, the team will once again be led by the skilled driver Hiroshi Masuoka, a former two-time consecutive Dakar Rally champion. Joining him will be the returning drivers Chayapon Yotha from Thailand and Rifat Sungkar from Indonesia, accompanied by Katsuhiko Taguchi from Japan.
In their pursuit of another triumph, the Ralliart team will tackle the competition in the new Mitsubishi Triton Group T1 prototype cross-country vehicles. These trucks have undergone a complete redesign, encompassing the body, frame, chassis, and engine. The vehicles' endurance and reliability were thoroughly tested under demanding conditions, with necessary adjustments made to ensure they are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in the actual rally.
Masuoka expressed his confidence in the new Triton, stating that the handling performance, stability on rough terrain, and ride comfort have all been enhanced for rally racing. Rigorous endurance testing has exceeded expectations, further bolstering the team's belief in their ability to secure a second consecutive championship.
The Asia Cross Country Rally 2023 will commence with a ceremonial start on Sunday, August 13, in Pattaya, Thailand. The rally officially kicks off the following day, with participants racing eastward along a route roughly parallel to the Cambodian border. On Thursday, the 17th, the rally enters Laos, with the final destination reached on Saturday, the 19th, as long as everything goes according to plan. Throughout the rally, drivers will cover a distance of approximately 2,000 km (1,242 miles), including over 1,000 km of special stage events.
This year's course presents a diverse range of challenging terrain, incorporating mountainous areas, dense forests, muddy roads, and river crossings. The demanding conditions are expected to test the rally cars' road handling and durability thoroughly. Adding to the difficulty, the event is scheduled during Thailand's rainy season in August, meaning the already muddy conditions from last year are likely to be even more severe, so the new Triton Group T1 prototypes and the team will have their work cut out for them.
Prior to the Asia Cross Country Rally, the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton L200 is set to make its debut on July 26, 2023 in Thailand. There is no word yet about a Philippine release, but we could expect the new Triton to be called the Strada locally once it does.
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