Ōpōtiki rally driver Mike Young impressed on the international stage with an outstanding result at the XCR Sprint Cup in Thailand last weekend.
Competing alongside co-driver Amy Hudson, the duo finished second overall and claimed first in class at the two-day event held approximately 150km west of Bangkok.
Driving a Toyota Hilux 4x4, Young faced a completely new rallying environment.
The terrain presented a mix of fast, smooth roads and rough, rocky sections that required quick adaptation and careful judgment.
“I really enjoyed the faster, smoother roads, but when it got rough, I wasn’t quite sure how much to push,” said Young.
“As the event went on, I gained confidence going hard through the rough stages. The trucks are incredibly strong, which definitely helped.”
Despite competing in the production class against more heavily modified vehicles, Young was very happy with their performance.
Mike Young and co-driver Amy Hudson drove Toyota Hilux 4x4. IMAGE SUPPLIED: Brian Young
“The Hilux we drove was so close to showroom class that it even had air conditioning, and as it was humid and 35 degrees most of the time, we made good use of that!”
The opportunity came through an invitation from the Thailand-based Fast Forward Sport team, and the success of the campaign may open doors for future international events.
Beyond the competition, both Young and Hudson praised the experience off the track, highlighting the welcoming nature and passion of the Thai motorsport community.
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