It's the battle of the tough ones in this year's Asian Cross Country Rally (AXCR 2023) as team Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand is officially taking part in the gruelling 2,000 km rally for the first time.

Fielding a Toyota Hilux decked in the team's iconic red-and-white livery, the team takes over from last year's compatriots, the Toyota Cross Country Team Thailand which finished second overall.

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This year's competition will see the Hilux slug it out against the all-new 2024 Mitsubishi Triton, which are raced by defending champions Team Mitsubishi RalliArt. Both named teams will be competing in Group T1, for modified cross-country vehicles.

Team Gazoo Racing Thailand will be piloted by Jaras Jaengkamolkulchai, Sinopong Trairat (#102) and Mana Pornsiricherd, Kittisak Klinchan (#111).

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AXCR 2023 is the first complete running of the rally since Covid-19, as last year the race was held on a shortened schedule that did not include travel. The full rally - spanning 6 legs - started at Laos on 13-August and ends at the Prasat Wat Phou UNESCO World Heritage site in Laos as well on 19-August.