Triton delivers win on Mitsubishi Ralliart’s return

Following Mitsubishi’s revival of their Ralliart brand in 2021, and the unveiling of a ‘Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’ Triton for the Asia Cross Country Rally earlier in 2022, that event has been completed, with one of the factory-supported Tritons taking the overall win on the team’s racing debut and Ralliart’s return to competition.

The Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR), an annual FIA-certified off-road racing championship, was held in Thailand in 2022, with the gruelling event testing teams over six days and more than eight hours of competitive driving in the Thai heat and humidity.

The victorious Team Mitsubishi Ralliart was a privateer squad, but benefitted from technical support provided by Mitsubishi Motors and leadership from two-time Dakar Rally winner (with Mitsubishi), Hiroshi Masuoka.

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart fielded two cars in the 2022 AXCR, with the #105 Triton driven by Chayapon Yotha, with Peerapong Sombutwong as co-driver. The #118 Triton was crewed by Rifat Sungkar from Indonesia, with Thai co-driver Chupong Chaiwan.

Both Tritons were close to stock specification, with the main additions and alterations being safety related, including a roll cage, racing seats with harnesses, rear tow loops, a suspension lift and front-mounted towbar bracket. Spare wheels were mounted in the tray and the tailgate was removed, along with the rear seats.

Exactly what class the Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Tritons were competing in was unclear, but they appeared to be close to Production 4WD spec in AORC terms.

At the end of six days, over a course that included a range of very challenging terrain, from dry dusty trails, to rutted tracks and deep mud, the Yotha/Sombutwong Triton #105 was the overall winner with a time of 8h22m42s.

"It was a very tough battle over the six days, but I am very happy to take the overall victory,” said Yotha.

“In order to win among rivals with larger engine displacements, I concentrated on reducing mistakes thoroughly and completing each corner and stage carefully. We were able to achieve good results in this rally because of the excellent handling performance of the Triton. It was very easy to control, allowing me to follow the line as I intended in any road surface conditions - tarmac, gravel or mud."

The team's second Triton, #118, finished fifth overall on that pairing’s competition debut, but Sungkar and Chaiwan were happy just to complete the event.

"I enjoyed participating in a cross country rally for the first time, and I am relieved that I was able to finish all the stages safely,” Sungkar said.

“I felt that the Triton is a truly tough, durable, and reliable car. It is amazing that we were able to fight through the rally with an almost production car.”

In choosing to support the Thai team in the AXCR, Mitsubishi Motors said their participation in events like this, even at a non-factory level, will strengthen the brand’s product uniqueness, specifically in pickup trucks and SUVs for ASEAN markets.

“This victory was the result of teamwork and know-how that Mitsubishi Motors has accumulated over the years.,” said Masuoka. ““I thought that it would be good enough for us to finish in upper rankings, but I am very happy that the team has taken an overall victory.

“The mechanics and engineers brought the Triton to the course in perfect condition every day, and the drivers and co-drivers brought out the best performance from the Triton.”

Masuoka added that the return of the Ralliart name to competition was an important moment for Mitsubishi, with the AXCR result making a return in 2023 likely.

“Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will consider the possibility of coming back again and will fully prepare our team structure and the rally cars. We would like to thank all of our fans and sponsors for their great support."