TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand proved their strength, leading the Hilux TRAVO to 2nd place in the tough AXCR 2026 competition across five provinces covering 2,000 km.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand, a prominent and consistently successful motorsport team backed by Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. and supported by Thai engineers from Toyota Motor Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. – TMA (TH) and TCD Asia Co., Ltd., delivered an outstanding performance at the Asia Cross Country Rally 2026 (AXCR 2026). They drove the Hilux TRAVO to secure 2nd place both in the T1D class and overall, also winning the team runner-up trophy after enduring the grueling 2,000-kilometer test from Pattaya to Phitsanulok over six days and six legs.
AXCR 2026 is one of Asia’s most challenging cross-country rallies, this year tracing a route from Pattaya in Chonburi Province through Prachinburi, Nakhon Sawan, and Kamphaeng Phet before finishing in Phitsanulok. Competitors faced high-speed dusty tracks, gravel roads, water crossings, monsoon mud, steep hills, and technical off-road sections, fully testing driving skills, navigation, and vehicle readiness.
Throughout the six-day, six-leg event, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand consistently stayed among the leaders, guiding the Hilux TRAVO through the brutal 2,000-kilometer course. The Hilux TRAVO demonstrated speed, durability, and reliability under the harsh racing conditions, while the engineering and service teams worked tirelessly to maintain the readiness of all three race vehicles. The final results were as follows.
In the T1D class, car number 102, driven by Nueng–Mana Pornsiricherd and co-driver Ton–Kitisak Klinchan, gave their all over six days, achieving the best time in Leg 4 and leading that day. They battled through the tough course to finish 2nd in both the T1D class and overall, with a total time of 13:00:45 hours.
Car number 107, driven by Joob–Natthaphon Angrithanon and co-driver Tum–Thanyapat Meenil, also fought hard amid challenges, finishing 11th in the T1D class and 20th overall with a total time of 16:40:39 hours.
Meanwhile, in the T2A-D class, car number 130, driven by Keng–Phurimas Thinjan and co-driver Lek–Prakai Namjai Thahan, completed the race in 7th place in their class and 16th overall with a total time of 15:13:35 hours. These combined results earned TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand the team runner-up trophy as well.
Mr. Sutthipong Samitchat, team director of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand, said after the race, “AXCR is a demanding competition that challenges the vehicle, drivers, and team in every aspect. This year, everyone worked together to their fullest—from drivers and co-drivers to engineers and service teams. This achievement is not only a proud result but also another test of both the vehicles and drivers. We thank everyone for their support throughout this event.”
Beyond the success and victory at the Asia Cross Country Rally 2026 (AXCR 2026), the event also served as a crucial testing ground to collect data on vehicle performance under the most extreme conditions. This included assessing durability, handling, and parts reliability, with the goal of using these insights to further develop vehicles under the vision “MAKING EVER-BETTER MOTORSPORTS-BRED CARS,” advancing from racing cars to better everyday vehicles.
Motorsport fans can follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand’s ongoing activities and results, with their next event being the “TSS The Super Series by B-Quik 2026” Round 3 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, from 21-23 August 2026. Updates and race coverage are available on Facebook and Instagram at TOYOTAGAZOORacingTeamThailand and TOYOTAGAZOORacingThailand.