FEDERAL-VESSEL Asia Cross Country Rally 2016 fastest ever?
Ultra-high-speed battle on the red clays!

The route for the fourth day of the rallywas from the seaside town of Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh. The two SS were prepared at 31km (SS5) and 94km (SS6).

In particular, the second SS was a high-speed section that some competitors wondered, “Wasn’t it the fastest among the AXCR history?" Both MOTO and AUTO top teams had been showing signs of ultra-high-speed rally that exceed easily the average of 100km per hour.

♯116 Tomonori NOTO / Daijiro AKAHOSHI have been running fast in good time ta(Toyota Hilux Revo, Japan).

Followed by "FURUKAWA BATTERY AWARD" of the day before, "VESSEL AWARD" had been prepared. Because the prizes are given to the top three competitors, they were really motivated.

The four Japanese competitors dominated the prizes such as the top three in MOTO and the top in AUTO. In particular, AUTO #111 Tadamitsu NIIHORI / Chupong CHAIWAN (Toyota Hilux Revo) recorded phenomenal time that exceeds the average speed of 110km in the second SS and won the impressive top prize. It jumped one ranking up to the second place in total. Counting from the starting order of the first day, they overtook 11 machines. Finally they were able to approach to behind the last year's champion, ♯101 Nuttapon ANGRITTHANON / Peerapong SOMBUTWONG (Isuzu D-MAX). However, they ended up with a difference of more than 13 minutes in the integration time for 4 days, and because of the steady driving performance of champion, Nuttapon, it seemed to be difficult to repel the time difference unless there will be some kind of trouble. But focus of the highlight in the future will be whether the skilled high power D-MAX can keep this position or not?

♯1 Yoshio IKEMACHI (Japan)

And MOTO, the top fierce fight was demonstrated here. Running of the highlight in the second SS was#1 Yoshio IKEMACHI (Japan) who went off the course together after catching up to the top from the start because the cloud of dust interfered their field of view of the dead heat battle in the ultra-high-speed. Surprisingly his goal time got the top prize after he picked up the machine and then came back on track.

And moreover, IKEMACHI got injured in both arms and a tree branch was stuck in his right arm at that time. After the road section, it has been pulled out by surgery after arriving in Phnom Penh. Of course, he will be excited to run tomorrow again. His right arm will probably swell up but there may be not impossible to this person’s dictionary.

Today's VESSEL AWARD were as follows.

VESSEL AWARD (MOTO)
1st : #1 Yoshio IKEMACHI (Japan)
2nd : #2 Keisuke MAEDA (Japan)
3rd : #38 Takuya IZUMOTO (Japan)

VESSEL AWARD (AUTO)
1st : #111 Tadamitsu NIIHORI / Chupong CHAIWAN (Toyota Hilux Revo)
2nd : #119 Bandit PANTHITA / Phairote PONGSAPAN (Thailand, Isuzu D-MAX)
3rd : #109 Wichawat CHOTIRAVEE / Chonlanut PHOPIPAT (Thailand, Isuzu D-MAX)

Of course, there were varieties of drama other than the top group. Because of high-speed SS, there were some bad cases, such as a fall by a little carelessness, going out of the course or accidentally missing the course by losing a moment in the route map. There was a rider who has been submerged into the pond. Still he came into the goal after he pulled up the machine and pulled out of the water. It was impressive that MOTO riders were tough and can handle maintenance by themselves. And on this day, the competitors who finished two of the SS go through 100km road section to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

Modernized town has Toyota cars which were overflown everywhere. Especially, by witnessing a large amount of Lexus and the luxury of Cambodiana hotel that became the finish area, it had been surprised by the gap between the city and the countryside continuing just ahead of the suburbs. This tremendous continuous development is also Cambodian charm.

It should be noted that the buffet dinner has begun in the hotel at the large hall from 7pm, where the ceremony of 20-wheelchair donation for Cambodian people who are handicapped in walking in the nursing care was conducted by ♯110 Takuma AOKI.

This is a part of Takuma Aoki's project called "Takuma keep smiling Project" which is sponsored by domestic care services (toh-yo Silver service). This rally’s organizer lobbied to Cambodian government officials about this project and this ceremony was held for the parties to commemorate their businesses.

Therefore, eminent faces have gathered at the dinner such as Minister of Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism, Minister of sports promotion/the Interior Deputy Minister (currently the chairman of Cambodia Motor Sports Association), and Thailand Ambassador in Cambodia. “ The dinner party was a success” and was asked strongly that, "for Cambodia and Rally’s friendship, we would like you to continue to do like these kind of projects in the future" He also said that he would like to continue to support Takuma Aoki’s project although it is outside of the circuit.

After this glamorous dinner party, rally is rushing into the final stage. Only 2 days-left for the fight up to Angkor Wat. That is said, since the final day was set in short due to the goal ceremony, the battle of the long task LEG5 will be the last tomorrow. FEDERAL-VESSEL Asia Cross Country Rally 2016 has been great without any big tragedy so far, in this LEG5, highly likely, Organizers may give some hardship against entrants as a process of the last elimination deliberately. It has not been revealed yet whether it is a tough road conditions, whether it is a difficult road map, or there will be no obstacles until the end and the truth is still in the bush, but the battle is about to begin. Check it out for the next report!