The river never stops running, and the water is never the same as before. The last race of LEG6, where the difference between on road and off road race show its true colors, battle not just with other teams, but also with the ever changing nature elements, thats is what Rally racing is all about.

But Asia Cross Country Rally is one step further, all competitors have to driving through non roads “roads” by following the road book, you can’t even trust the car in front, as it might be as lost as you are.

On the forth day, AXCR had encountered the longest and wildest “waterbed”, some even had to stay overnight to be rescued, overall it caused the biggest position shuffling in the history AXCR!

No matter in smile or in tears, today its the final LEG6 SS stage of 23km heading to the capital Phunom Penh, what kind of race drama will occur ?

MOTO

When interviewing the riders, most indicated this last stage was quite easy, as it take you through the farm land with some sharp 90 degree corners. Overall took about 20 to 30 minutes to reach goal.

Yesterday #2 IKEMACHI (JPN, KTM EXC-R) came out with 13 minutes advantage from the waterbed fight, able to finish first with 8 minutes ahead of #10 Koun PHANDARA (CAM, KTM 450EXL), fist win in 3 years, after many close call to taste of victory, but it was this years precise careful riding through the waterbed, that define his victory from others that came before him.

On the daily top finish team FB International ♯3 EZURE (JPN, Yamaha YZ450FX) one of the top popular rider in AXCR, with lots of fans from both gender, most believed his good looks and personality does help make that claim to be true.

Below are the top 6 overall finish.

Two wheels Team Awards

1st: FB International
♯2 Yoshio IKEMACHI (Japan KTM EXC-R)
♯3 Tadao EZURE (Japan YAMAHA YZ450FX)
♯5 Sumaetee TRAKULCHAI (Thai HUSQVARNA FX350)

2nd: CAMBODIA DARAMOTORCYCLE TOP1 OIL
♯10 Koun PHANDARA (Cambodia・KTM 450EXL)
♯21 Daravuth CHAN (Cambodia・スズキ RMX450Z)
♯16 Daniel HALL (Australia・HUSQVARNA FE501)

3rd: etenoir Team A
♯19 Tomomasa KIMURA (Japan YAMAHA WR450F)
♯8 Shimpei SAKKA (Japan KTM 500EXC)
♯7 Taketsugu SAKAMOTO (Japan KTM EXC-F250)

SIDECAR

This year sidecar mark the second year entry with a increase to the total of 2 teams from Japan. Team Rising Sun Racing with Russian made URAL MOTORCYCLES #66 WATANABE / OZEKI, #67 IWAMOTO / KOBAYASHI.

URAL motorcycle were the same motorcycle Russian had used during WWII, although it was designed to go through harsh terrain, but still had it great difficulty and challenges in racing through this years AXCR.

Both team completed this years AXCR , as seen very delighted at the ceremony finish. If the sidecar entry increase to 3, it could very well have a class of its own, just like the Jimmy, and it no doubt bring more excitement to the side car race!

AUTO

For the 4 wheels action in this LEG6, some got stock, but able to recover quickly to avoid any major time lost. The top time record is achieved by Sakaew King Off Road Isuzu Team #106 Paitoon / Somkiat (THA Isuzu D-Max) finish strong through and through.

♯121 Masatoshi KONISHI / Masahiro OFUJI (JPN, ISUZU D-Max) MANTE CORPORATION They were the fastest on the flat dart section!

#114 Mana / Kittisak (THA, Toyota HILUX Revo) Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand. 4th is Champion Natthaphon. 5th #107 NOTO / TANAKA (JPN, Toyota HILUX Revo) TEAM JAOS, 6th #109 Jeerasak / Arkarachat / Somkiat (THA, Nissan Navara).

Overall top finish is Isuzu The Land Transport Association of Thailand team #101 Natthaphon / Peerapong (T1D class). Champion 6 years in the roll since 2013!! 3rd & 4th finish are also from the same team #108 Sirichai / Prakob (T2Dclass), #105 Wongwirot / Thanyapat (T1D class).

Team Award 1st: Isuzu The Land Transport Association of Thailand
♯101 Natthaphon ANGRITTHANON / Peerapong SOMBUTWONG (THA, Isuzu D-MAX)
♯108 Sirichai SRICHAROENSILP / Prakob CHAWTHALE (THA, Isuzu D-MAX)
♯105 Wongwirot PALAWAT / Thanyapat MEENIL (THA, Isuzu D-MAX)

Team Award 2nd: Sakaew King Off Road Isuzu Team
♯112 Chamnan ON-SRI / Chonlanat PHOPHIPAD (THA, Mitsubishi Triton)
♯106 Paitoon THAMMASIRIKUL / Somkiat NOICHAD (THA, Isuzu D-MAX)
♯103 Wichawat CHOTIRAVEE / Prakai NAMJAITHAHAN (THA, Isuzu D-MAX)

This year Thai Isuzu D-Max walked away with the impressive T1D, T2D, Team award, and overall 4 title finish!!

A new bar is set even higher now for next year, no doubt will be challenge once again! Either way, new history was made in 2018, we all look forward the see if history will repeat itself again in 2019?? Or even more spectacular race finish?? Rest assured it will be even more exciting, thank you all and see you in 2019 AXCR!