November 26th (Saturday) Sunny Siem Reap → Siem Reap

Total: 99.03km Liaison: 51.20km SS: 47.83km

LEG 5

Ferocious AUTO 4 wheels three-way manufacture battle between Isuzu, Toyota and Mitsubishi, had come to an end. Triton of Mitsubishi Ralliart wins the overall victory, made a spectacular return of the Ralliart brand on their first entry to AXCR.
MOTO 2 wheels NISHIMURA Hironori of Team Japan won the motorcycle!

Among the three Tritons entered by the Mitsubishi Ralliart Team, Chayapon Yotha / Peerapong SOMBUTWONG in car #105 won the overall victory.

#105's Yotha / SOMBUTWONG achieved the fasted time on the very first day in LRG, than continue on to the second day,he widened the gap of 7 minutes and 46 seconds with the 2 nd place, which lead to the overall top position, through the final day.

Toyota's Hilux and Fortuners were gaining from behind as they gradually improved their times. Unfortunately they were unable to shorten gab, that #105 Triton built in the first half of the rally.

Mitsubishi Ralliart won their first victory in their first entry in this race. The team is highly motivated and united, we can surely confirm, that Mitsubishi Ralliart not only made history, but surya new chapter in the making!

The 2nd place overall finish is Hilux Revo of Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand. Jaras Jaengkamolkulchai / Sinoppong TRAIRAT with car number 102.

This year marks the team's 5th entry in the race, but so far best finish its 2nd place against the Isuzu team. Due to Isuzu structure change this year, there are obviously lots of high hopes for the team to finally takes the overall win.

However, Mitsubishi Ralliart with their aggressive strategy, pulling away from the very start, creating a gab making it difficult for the 2nd place Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand to chase. Although, both Hilux Revo were faster on later stages, but it seems to be little to late to make any major impact overall.

In my recent memory, when teams on their first year debut, although finished in 2nd place. Hunting down the defending champion Isuzu, full on passion and persistence, not holding back to push througthe race, its what I also see in this year Mitsubishi Ralliart Team debut.

Within the 3 manufacture battle, finish in 6th ♯115 Ayumi Racing Team Tawee Neanna / Athikij SRIMONGKHOL D-MAX, a strong performance even coming from as a private team, they sure make top factory teams a run for their money!

A side from the AUTO manufacture battling out in the race, the “Tire war” among the Tire manufacturers are also quietly battling out behind the scene. This year we have BFGoodrich, Falken, Toyo tire, with their MT tires directly off the shelf and into the race.

interestingly, Mitsubishi Ralliart Team 3 cars line up, all use Geolandar MT tires from Yokohama Rubber. In fact, at the end of the race, five of the top winning cars, 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th places were all cars equipped with Geolandar! Yokohama definitely shows its MT Geolandar capability, with winning performance to proves it as well.

Japan's NISHIMURA Hironori won the race, who was stable and consistent fast until the very end.

As expected from yesterday, the gap between the MOTO top 4 on two wheels was nearly 5 minutes apart, making it difficult to shoot for a come back victory in the final short SS.

The winner is #3 Team Japan's NISHIMURA Hironori (Husqvarna TE250i). Although LEG4 lost the overall top spot, but the following day, they retake the lead back and entered the final day with a impressive lead. This is where NISHIMURA's consistent speed shined at the end.

Finish in 2nd place is Team Cambodia's #20 Koun Phandara (KTM 450EXC-F). In 3rd place #24 Daravuth Chan (SUZUKI RMX 450Z) of Team Cambodia, and #1 MATSUMOTO Norihisa (KTM 350EXC-F) finish in 4th place.

Team Japan's #5 TASAKI Hiroshi (Husqvarna FE350), who finished 5th overall, making recorded a time in the 40-minute range in the final SS, close to the top group of AUTO 4 wheelers. He received the stage top prize WURTH (tool manufacture) award, with his impressive ride.