GWM had a very successful motorsport debut this year at the Taklimakan Rally in China, where the brand swept all three Production Class championships and locked down the top five overall positions of the grueling 7,500 km event.

Now, GWM is taking its motorsport participation outside its home market, as it answers the challenge of the Asia Cross Country Rally – an international competition where Mitsubishi Ralliart and the Triton rally truck are the defending champions. 

GWM has launched the EK Group Racing Team in Thailand – the team that will represent the brand at this year’s Asia Cross Country Rally. This marks the first time a Chinese car brand will enter the grueling cross-country rally, and GWM is banking on the Tank 300 Diesel for its first attempt on entering the prestigious event.

The Tank 300 Diesel will compete in the T2 category, which requires race vehicles to remain as close as possible to production models. Compared to the Mitsubishi Triton rally truck that competes in the T1 class, the Tank 300 Diesel will feature less modifications which should better demonstrate the vehicle’s engineering foundation, chassis structure, powertrain, and durability in enduring one of Asia’s most demanding race courses.

That means GWM will race the Tank 300 with the same 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine found in the Cannon pickup truck, rated at 181 PS at 3600 rpm and 480 Nm of torque between 1500 – 2300 rpm. GWM will also be racing the Tank 300 with the factory 9-speed automatic gearbox, instead of swapping it out for a sequential gearbox like the Triton rally truck.

Interior parts like carpets, headliners, and flammable materials have been removed as permitted, while a roll cage and essential safety equipment have been installed for competition, along with mud terrain tires, winch, recovery kits, and other essential equipment and gear to handle challenging obstacles.

But as per the FIA’s T2 category regulations, key components such as the powertrain, exhaust, turbocharger, and cooling systems remain standard. Suspension adjustments are limited to shock absorbers in factory mounting positions, and braking systems must retain original standards except for brake pads and lines, which may be adjusted under the rules. Much like its participation in the Taklimakan Rally, GWM has Motul as its official lubricant partner.

GWM EK Group Racing Team will field two Tank 300 Diesels, with the #114 driven by Olan Sarasirirat of Thailand and co-driver Somkiat Noijad. The sister Tank 300 Diesel will have the #128 race number, piloted by Toval Tharawansan and Chappawit Julsantirat of Thailand as well.

This year’s Asia Cross Country Rally will run from August 10-16, 2026. The six-day rally will cover approximately 2,000 km. The course features deep mud, rugged terrain, gravel, and challenging landscapes starting in Pattaya and passing through Prachinburi, Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, to finish in Phitsanulok.