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 durability tests of the Triton rally car on an off-road course in Thailand on June 27th and 28th, confirming that preparations for the race are proceeding smoothly.
AXCR is a gruelling, week-long, 1,700-kilometer cross-country rally that races through the unique natural terrain of Southeast Asia. Normally held in August of each year, the race was cancelled 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 route will begin in Buriram in the northeast of Thailand before crossing into Cambodia and end at the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat.
The durability tests subjected the car to high loads similar to those expected in the race 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, we used a 10-kilometer course which combines a high-speed range, rough gravel road and a narrow, winding forest course,” said Hiroshi Masuoka, Team Director of Team Mitsubishi RALLIART. “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. Having covered over 800 kilometres in two days, the rally car showed its great performance throughout the tough durability tests as we expected, and now we are confident that our preparation is on the right track. We will continue tuning up the rally car toward the AXCR in November, so please stay tuned.”
Triton Rally Car Overview
The Triton rally car is classified as a Fédération 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 2.4L diesel turbo engine has focused on reducing friction loss and weight and improving responsiveness in the mid-speed ranges frequently encountered in rally racing. Some AXCR stages include river crossings, so water-proofing modifications have also been added, such as stronger sealing and an air-intake snorkel.
Race Overview
The 27th AXCR 2022 will begin on November 21st with a ceremonial start held in Buriram, in the northeast of Thailand near the Cambodian border. Racing proper begins the next day on the 22nd, with the first half of the race centred on Buriram. The course then crosses the border into Cambodia on the 25th and finishes on the 26th at Siem Reap, home of the Angkor Wat World Heritage site. Each year, the total distance exceeds 1,700 km, and the course this year is expected to be as gruelling as ever, with a wide range of terrain such as mountains, jungle, muddy roads, river crossings, sand dunes and circuits that will demand vehicle handling and durability at a high level. The skills of drivers and teams alike will be put to the test by the complex terrain and unpredictable weather conditions that the wild nature of the route will present.