8.14 (Tue.)Sunny with cloudy sky
Kabinburi to Buriram
The day started with the fresh memory, of over night poring rain in mind. It sure will add a lot more challenges in the SS, for both riders & drivers a like. Road conditions are very similar to LEG1, red dirt, muddy, grass roads, rocks but mostly dry conditions overall. First half of the SS is expected to be very difficult to navigate, and surly that leads to lots of miss courses, but yet brings a lot of smiles to all competitors.
Starting from the first day LEG1, the top group formed by 4 riders with just 6 minutes difference between, Second day the top 4 still are often seen in tag formation through out the SS, and their time differences are just within the 2 minutes range.
1st: #5 Sumaetee TRAKULCHAI, Team FB international (THA, Husqvarna FX350), 2nd: #1 Jakkrit CHAWTALE (THA, KTM 500EXC-F), 3rd: #10 Koun PHANDARA (CAM, KTM 450EXL), 4th: #2 Yoshio IKEMACHI, FB Team international (JPN, KTM EXC-R). The total time by these 4 riders are within 6-7 minutes, and who will come on top and who will drop back due to miss course? You sure can't take you eyes off of them!
Not much changes from the Top group of 3 teams that was introduced from yesterday, last year champions #101 Natthaphon / Peerapong (THA, Isuzu D-MAX) stay strong in the lead, while second place #114 Mana / Kittisak (Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand). Red / black TRD HILUX REVO following closely behind. Top ten place shuffle quite a bit, that just shows the fun / hard race they all had today.
1st: #101 Isuzu The Land Transport Association of Thailand, Natthaphon / Peerapong (THA, Isuzu D-MAX). 2nd: #114 Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand, Mana / Kittisak. Red / black TRD HILUX REVO just 3 minuits behind. 3rd: #112 Sakaew King Off Road Isuzu Team, Chamnan / Chonlanat (THA, Mitsubishi Triton).
Start it 3 years ago, when Toyota factory TRD enter AXCR for the very first time, but been always come so close and yet so far for the win. Well, Isuzu 5 years in the roll champion, with Natthaphon, does not just happen over nigh. Burn in 1987 March, may seem relatively young at 31 years of age, had already achieved Thai Rally champions 8 times! Its no surprise his held as a hero statue in the sports, and continues to fight in breaking his own record in the once a year AXCR race event. Which is why in stoping his winning streak, just far more difficult than anyone had expected!
That being said, Toyota had take their previous lessons well, show in force this year with highly improved design and increase their winning potential yet again. Yesterday Ranking 7th place TRD #102 Jaras / Chupong (THA, Toyota Hilux Revo) move up to 4th place today, placing themselves to give pressures to the last year champion. Sakaew King Off Road Isuzu Team racing in good stable pace, join up the top maker battle for the finish.
#107 TEAM JAOS, NOTO / TANAKA (JPN, Toyota HILUX) Whom started well but encounters mechanical difficulty finish 5th today.
#123 TEAM GEOLANDAR, HANAWA / SOMEMIYA (JPN, Toyota HILUX Revo) whom finished strong in forth in LEG1, encounter fuel pump problem, lead to several parts exchange that cause to drop back in position.
AXCR main sponsors Sun Chlorella, provides a special “Sun Chlorella award" at this year longest SS! The award was given after dinner & drivers briefing, by Organizers Mr. Sasa, all smiles all around as all appropriate Sun Chlorella support, for this International FIA rally sports we all passionately love.
Tomorrow will be the last stage in Thailand, before heading into Cambodia jungle. Short SS giving chance to all teams to make up time gap for the overall score. But look out for machines troubles as we expect all teams to push hard in tomorrows stage.