The 2026 China Loop Tower International Rally is currently underway across Xinjiang, with the Great Wall Po team dominating the T2.1 and T2.3 categories as of May 29. Spanning 7,500 kilometers, the “Oriental Dakar” features 299 drivers testing production vehicles against the extreme terrain of the Taklamakan and Kumtag deserts.
For over two decades, the Loop Tower Rally has evolved from a regional challenge into a fixture on the official FIA calendar. This year’s edition is not merely a test of speed but a grueling endurance trial that pushes production-based machinery to the absolute breaking point. With a total distance of roughly 7,500 kilometers, the race began on May 16 in Urumqi and is scheduled to conclude on June 1 in Aksu.
Great Wall Po’s Grip on T2.1 and T2.3 Standings
As the rally progressed through the ninth special stage (SS9), the Great Wall Po team established a commanding lead across two major categories. This dominance is rooted in consistency across varied terrain, rather than single-stage bursts of speed.
In the T2.1 Production Fuel category, driver Eniriletu and navigator Aobulege, piloting a V6 Fire Cannon, secured the top spot for stages SS1 through SS9 with a total time of 38 hours, 59 minutes, and 56 seconds. The pair also claimed the individual victory for the SS9 stage, which spanned 353.66 kilometers of challenging terrain including riverbeds and shifting sands.
Simultaneously, the T2.3 Club Production category is being led by driver Zhou Renbin and navigator Zhang Tengzhong. Driving a Fire Cannon 2.0, they hold first place with a cumulative time of 42 hours, 47 minutes, and 24 seconds. For Great Wall Po, these results serve as a real-world laboratory, using the “racing to promote research” philosophy to harden their entire powertrain matrix against the world’s harshest environments.
The Brutality of the 2026 Route and the Kumtag Return
The 2026 course is designed to be the most punishing in the event’s history. According to People’s Daily, the total distance of special stages has reached 3,400 kilometers, the longest ever recorded for the rally.
A significant pivot in this year’s layout is the return of the Kumtag Desert after a nine-year absence. This section forces drivers through approximately 90 kilometers of gravel and over 200 kilometers of deep desert sand, characterized by knife-edge ridges and massive pits that test suspension travel and tire integrity.
- Yudu Secret Realm: A 281.32-kilometer stretch of soft sand and mud where high-frequency vibrations threaten to dismantle chassis and suspension components.
- The Taklamakan: The heart of the race, offering extreme heat and unpredictable wind-blown sands.
- Diverse Geographies: The route cuts through the Tianshan Mountains, the Flaming Mountains, and the depths of the Ayding Lake, the lowest point of land in China.
International Expansion and the Kamaz Debut
The rally’s reputation as the “Oriental Dakar” has attracted an unprecedented level of international interest. This year’s field consists of 299 drivers, including 28 foreign competitors from eight different countries and regions, a new record for the event. As reported by Xinhua, the event has become a bridge for cultural exchange, blending high-octane sport with regional tourism.
The most notable international addition is the Russian Kamaz-Master team. A powerhouse in the Dakar Rally with approximately 20 victories across 30-plus appearances, Kamaz-Master is competing in the Loop Tower for the first time. The team deployed two groups—one consisting of veteran elites and another featuring a mix of new and experienced drivers.
We first participate with the goal of becoming familiar with the track, adapting to the terrain, and feeling the atmosphere of the event. If progress goes smoothly, we plan to participate again next year with a stronger lineup.
The competitive field also includes seasoned veterans like Fan Gaoxiang. Born in 1993, Fan is in his fourth Loop Tower appearance and brings recent experience from the 2026 Dakar Rally, where he and navigator Zhao Kai placed 10th in the SS9 stage.
Mechanical Warfare: Diesel Torque vs. Racing Fuel
Beyond the drivers, the 2026 rally is a clash of engineering philosophies. A primary point of contention is the efficiency of diesel versus gasoline in deep sand. The Jiangxi Isuzu Sand Lizard Shock Absorber Team entered three D-MAX 3.0T diesel vehicles to test the limits of the 4JJ3 engine.
As detailed by Autohome, the 4JJ3 diesel engine provides a distinct advantage in soft sand due to its low-to-mid range torque, producing 190 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and a peak torque of 450 N·m between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm.
| Vehicle/Engine | Primary Performance Focus | Desert Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Isuzu D-MAX (4JJ3 Diesel) | Mid-low torque & fuel economy | Maintain momentum with low RPM to reduce mechanical wear. |
| Toyota Hilux (2.8T) | High-RPM power output | Aggressive power delivery at higher speeds. |
| Ford Ranger (3.0T Gas) | Explosive burst power | Rapid acceleration to clear obstacles. |
To support these machines, the 2026 rally introduced a critical technical first: the use of domestically developed 103-grade racing gasoline. This fuel is specifically engineered for high-compression, high-load engines to suppress knocking and ensure stability during prolonged high-RPM operation.
The mechanical toll is immense. The D-MAX teams, for example, increased their suspension travel by 30% to handle jumps and reinforced key chassis brackets to prevent structural failure under the constant vibration of the Yudu and Kumtag sectors.
With the race heading toward its June 1 conclusion in Aksu, the focus now shifts to whether Great Wall Po can maintain its lead or if the international powerhouses like Kamaz-Master can find a rhythm in the final stages. For the manufacturers, the trophy is secondary to the data; every kilometer of the 7,500-km journey provides a blueprint for the next generation of production off-roaders.
