#2 Keisuke MAEDA

This is the "FEDERAL-VESSEL Asia Cross Country Rally 2016", which began to accelerate

The morning of the second day began with rain. This day had the extended route of the 250km from Chanthaburi Thailand to Koh Kong in Cambodia. In the morning, leaving the hotel and running the 40km road section (RS), racing time in the 80km of the special stage (SS), and then leading to the Cambodian border through the RS of 120km.

The reason of feeling short in SS is to perform a border crossing smoothly. If a team owed a great damage in the competition section, there will be delay in arrival and it will interfere with the immigration process. The SS was also said that it is easier setting than usual.

But the rain in the morning is changing the course. Also, after the start of the two-wheel, there was squalling. Red clay containing water created a slippery skate rink more than the slimy road. It was combined with up and down steep and it gave the entrants such a hardship. Thus, urging the feet of MOTO built on the gravity and balance became difficult. In the downstream of the slick road surface will lock the tires and the going up the hill would slide down…

Many were continuously fell down everywhere and went off course. These accidents had occurred at a speed range while dropped pacing. Apparently it did not reach serious damage.

#2 Keisuke MAEDA who "was dispelled freely the previous day's resentment" hit the top time in this situation. He fell down once but showed the best speed in the villainy mud road by saying "I don't hate it."

Second place was ♯25 Daravuth CHAN of Cambodia. He must be accustomed to the wet road surface of red clay because it was recorded a good time approaching Maeda. The next third clock, #3 Tadao EZURE was recorded.

By the way, #1 Yoshio IKEMACHI marked the top until yesterday missed the course painfully. Although map change was announced before the race, he ran 20~30km without noticing a mistake and he lost 30 minutes until returning on the course. This day’s ranking was the 28th and overall ranking slipped from first place to fourth place. #5 Jakkrit CHAWTALE (Thailand) was catapulted into a comprehensive top.

The top 10 lineups of the overall ranking at this point are two Thai competitors, four Swedish competitors, and four Japanese competitors. How this battle of these three will turn out at the middle of the game won’t keep our eyes off.

1st ♯111 Tadamitsu NIIHORI / Chupong CHAIWAN (Toyota Hilux Revo)

With four-wheel division, ♯111 Tadamitsu NIIHORI/ Chupong CHAIWAN (Toyota Hilux Revo) jumped up in the 3rd position yesterday recorded daily top with more than nearly 10 minutes difference from the fastest time of the MOTO division. Overall ranking is also up one, they are about to get #101 Nuttapon ANGRITTHANON / Peerapong SOMBUTWONG (Isuzu D-MAX) that has continued to be ahead of the game without the enemy for a few years to the firing range.

However, NIIHORI said, “The purpose of this year is to collect the data by running a normal machine other than the damper and spring until finish.” So, it might be unreasonable if they rush into the game.

Continued daily second place is ♯101 Nuttapon / Peerapong pair. Third place is ♯112 Takatsugu AOKI / Roslyn SHEN(Isuzu D-MAX). ♯121 Phal SOPHENG / Kimhuat (Toyota Tacoma) of Cambodia was followed in fourth place.

4th ♯121 Phal SOPHENG / Kim Houth

Even for AUTO seemed that road conditions of today were difficult. All the top competitors analyzed the key is whether they can react instantly to rapidly changing road surfaces with red soil and gravel (gravel road), Tarmac (asphalt), concrete and grass track (grass), and so on…. However, it was not such a day breaking the suspension if you know that point, that obstacles like holes on the course are minimum.

Crossing the river in the end ♯123 Shoji KATSUMATA / Masayuki FUKANO (Toyota Vego)

Crossing border ♯102 Kenijiro SHINOZUKA / EJ CHIBA(Suzuki Jimny)

Real thrill of cross-country to the charm of the border crossing, the traits of "Asia Cross Country Rally" also began to accelerate more and more.

Enjoy the next report what kind of event is waiting on the middle rally!