Singapore,6 May — The 20th China Dongchuan “Xuxin Cup” International Debris Flow Rally and 2026 China Cross-country Rally Championship Dongchuan Round officially concluded on May 5 in Dongchuan, Yunnan Province. As one of China’s most iconic off-road racing events, the rally once again attracted strong international attention during its milestone 20th edition.
At the invitation of the Dongchuan District Government of Kunming, Thai MAMBA RACING SHOCK Team drivers Thovald Thovaldsen and Olan Sornsirirat visited Dongchuan from April 29 to May 1 to inspect the event organization, special stages, tourism integration, and future international cooperation opportunities. During the visit, they also held discussions with local government officials and race organizers.
Their visit represented not only a professional exchange in motorsport between China and Thailand, but also an important step in strengthening cooperation between China and ASEAN countries through off-road racing culture.
For veteran racer Thovald Thovaldsen, who has more than 40 years of motorsport experience, this was his first visit to Dongchuan. He expressed great admiration for the rally’s unique mudslide terrain and high-altitude stages.
“I have participated in and followed many international off-road rallies, but Dongchuan’s terrain is truly unique,” said Thovald. “The combination of technical difficulty, spectacular landscape, and passionate atmosphere gives this event tremendous international potential.”
He added that Dongchuan possesses strong capabilities to attract more overseas teams in the future and could become a key platform in Asian cross-country rally racing.
Meanwhile, Olan Sornsirirat was already familiar with Dongchuan. In 2019, he competed for the Jiangxi Isuzu Team and finished runner-up in the T2 category. Returning to Dongchuan after several years, he noted the significant improvements in event professionalism, organization, and international presentation.
“Dongchuan is not just a race. It represents an important part of China’s off-road motorsport culture,” Olan said.
During their stay, the Thai delegation held in-depth discussions with Dongchuan government leaders and event officials regarding future international cooperation. Key topics included increasing ASEAN driver participation in the Dongchuan Rally, establishing regional motorsport exchange programs, and promoting cooperation among Asian cross-country events.
A major highlight of the visit was the formal invitation extended by Thovald and Olan to senior Dongchuan government officials and race organizers to visit Thailand this August for an inspection tour of the 2026 FIA Asia Cross-country Rally.
Both sides agreed that motorsport can become an important platform for cultural exchange, tourism cooperation, and sports industry development between China and ASEAN nations.
As Yunnan Province continues promoting the integration of sports and tourism, the Dongchuan Rally has evolved into more than just a motorsport competition. It has become an international platform showcasing Dongchuan’s unique geography, local culture, and growing global ambitions.
Industry observers believe that with increasing interest from ASEAN drivers and teams, Dongchuan could further strengthen its role as a major hub for Asian off-road motorsport cooperation in the years ahead.
The visit by the MAMBA RACING SHOCK Team not only injected new momentum into the internationalization of the Dongchuan Rally, but also highlighted the growing friendship and cooperation between China and Thailand through motorsport and cultural exchange.
BY RICKI FEI
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