November 23rd (Wednesday) Cloudy Buriram → Buriram

Total: 332.18km Liaison: 175.56km SS: 156.62km

LEG 2

The first half of the long stage is complete, a top group starts to emerge.

The battle for the MOTO 2 wheels championship, is now focusing on these four fast riders.

#3 Team Japan's NISHIMURA Hironori, on Husqvarna TE250i, continue dominant force, by setting his recorded top times in all three SSs to date, including his Super SS in LEG0, which was held to determine the starting order. By adding all his gain lead of the 3 days, he is now stood at the overall top, holds a 7 minutes lead.

In todays 2nd place winner, Team Cambodia's #20 Koun Phandara (KTM's 450 EXC-F), who was yesterdays 3rd finisher. Although his had achieved a top time for today, but the 3-minute penalty he received pull him back behind Nishimura once again.

In 3rd place OTOKONAKI's #1 MATSUMOTO Norihisa (KTM 350EXC-F), and 4th place #24 Daravuth Chan of Team Cambodia (Suzuki RMX 450Z) who was in 2nd the day before.

Only these 4 riders are within the 6 hours total overall time, to battle for the podium finish after the long stage. 2 groups are now formed, behind the top group are 6 riders, including 4 from Team Japan, were running in total times between of 6 to 8 hours in now the second group.

Toyota's Fortuner and Hilux make great advances!

AUTO 4 wheels, Suwat Limjirapinya / Prakob CHAOTHALE of ♯101 Isuzu Suphan Explorer Rally Team set the top time today. Although Isuzu D-Max had fallen far behind due to machine trouble on the second day, it still remains the fastest overall. You can definitely see it in the SS, when they carry the corner speed and picking back up the pace is clearly faster than all others.

In 2nd place #103 Mana Pornsirichard / Thanyaphat MEENIL team driving Toyota Hilux Revo. What a achievement for him and his team! Consider his yesterday 14th position finished, due to damage to the rear leaf spring and propeller shaft, resulting only front wheels drive limping through the finish. However, his Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand mechanics, did a non stop overnight job, complete the fix next morning at 7:00 am, ready to battle another day!

Teammate #102 Jaras Jaengkamolkulchai / Sinoppong TRAIRAT recorded the 6th fastest time. In terms of total time, he jumped from 5th place on the previous day to 3rd place.

Todays 3rd place finished achieve by Fortuner GEOLANDAR Takuma-GP Team Toyota in his Fortuner. #116 HANAWA Ikuo / SOMEMIYA Hirokazu. Support by his teammates #108 AOKI Takuma / Itthipon SIMARAKS in the 1st Car, he has steadily improved his position without any major issues. Despite its SUV weight disadvantage compared to the pickup trucks. They are pushing good time with now 3 days overall time just 7 minutes and 48 seconds behind the 2nd place. AOKI Takuma is also doing well and if maintain the good pace, 4th overall finish is looking bright.

At the end of the first half of the race, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart's team, #105 Chayapon Yotha / Peerapong SOMBUTWONG, has maintained the overall top position. Teammate #118 RIFAT HELMY SUNGKAR IDN / Chupong CHAIWAN also ranked 5th overall and is looking to move up the place when opportunity opens, the battle continue.