November 21st（Monday）Sunny Buriram

LEG 0

Ceremony Start! After a long 3 years 3 months wait. 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally kicks off!!

Asia Cross Country Rally is a FIA certified International Rally Race. Since hosting the first in 1996, the tradition have been going for the 27th time from Thailand. This year starts from the Northeast Thailand Buriram district Chang International Circuit.

Weather forecast for Buriram still shows unsettling patterns, but we starts off with a beautiful clear skies. Although it is now in November, you still can easily sweat through a T-shirt under the day time heat.

7:00 am starts all vehicles inspection. Suzuki Jimny as #132 ETOH Araki ／ SATONAKA Kenta（eArk sports WRT) speaking nervously; “hope we will pass the safety inspection on the first try” while pulling into the inspection area.

This year AXCR host outside of its normal summer season, but still able to attract AUTO 20 teams 31 cars, MOTO 16 bikes, 2 Side cars, Adventure class 1 cars, total of 50 vehicles entrees. Participants are well diversified as well, countries including Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

4 wheels fierce battle between factory teams are expected

4-wheeler attraction this year, is the first attempt by Team Mitsubishi Ralliart! Team director a living Rally legend Mr.MASUOKA Hiroshi, whom with two-time overall Dakar Rally wins under his belt, will enter this year battle with 3 pickup trick “Triton”. The drivers are young racers from Thailand and Indonesia. Which will help share this race excitement for both countries, generate large fan followers to the race. The revival of the legendary "Ralliart" brand, also help lift the passion of many, in the overall Rally motorsports world.

Confronting the revival head-on, will be the Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand Hilux Revo. Up until 2019 Toyota had fought hard against rival Isuzu D-MAX. However, now with newer Mitsubishi comes to the battle, it will definitely be an new era for the race.

The top champion of many years Isuzu, are definitely not going to be defeated without a fight! The Isuzu Suphan Explorer Rally Team, which gathered the power of Thai people, entered the race with 3 D-MAXs. Although the battle attention might be in this era of Toyota and Mitsubishi. But never forget it is still fighting the undefeated Champion Isuzu and the title as well.

Joining the race with the top factory teams 3 way battle, are Fords with Raptor Team Thailand. More over from Japan SRS-Osaka Welport Rally Team, entry with a brand new New Land Cruiser 300, first ever to be converted into a rally car. World Land Cruiser and Raptor racing side by side surely add excitement into this race.

Although in recent years, wheelchair bound legendary racing driver AOKI Takuma, being active racing at Le Mans. However that does not stop him from his 15th year racing at AXCR (Fortuner GEOLANDAR takuma-gp). But this year its the first time he entering 2 car, having veteran driver HANAWA Ikuo race the 2 car, in good use of his wide range of North America Baja racing experience. Hope this will motivate them even further, to accomplish their goal of first win.

Super SS to decide the starting order of LEG1

Starting from the afternoon near the HQ (headquarters), a closed tarmac (paved roads) 3km short course was created for this super SS. Since the result of this stage, will determine the next day starting order. Some teams trying to get an edge, by changing their current mud tires to all terrain tires just for this Super SS. Check out the result at the attachment.

Although result time from the 3km race, would not predict the outcome of the coming 5 days 1500km winner. But only the last day, in front of Angkor Wat, we will than able to find out who will celebrate in joy and who will be in tears?

A ceremonial start will held in front of the Chang International Circuit stadium at 8:00 p.m., all racing vehicles will start in grand fashion. 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally just started, hope you will follow me with each of my report!