Qatar International rally to start Middle East Rally Championship
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The event has been the traditional opening round of the
series for many years and slick organisation by the Doha-based QMMF has given the event the reputation as the leading round of the prestigious regional rally series.
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Nasser Al-Attiyah
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Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah is the defending FIA Middle East Rally Champion and will be aiming to seal an unprecedented 10th successive Qatar Rally victory, with nine wins so far achieved since 2003 with the use of four co-drivers.
Officials working under QMMF president Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah have come up with a revised route consisting of a series of challenging gravel special stages in the Qatar deserts, with the rally headquarters and service area based at the Al-Wakra Football Club for a third successive year.
“We look forward to welcoming our international competitors to what has now become a traditional opening round of the Middle East Rally Championship,” enthused Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah. “Our team is putting the finishing touches to the route format and we are pleased to announce concessions for international teams.”
The QMMF is offering an assistance package to international entrants. Teams will be offered four nights’ free accommodation (room and breakfast) in one twin-bedded room for driver and co-driver at the Century Hotel in Doha. Check-in will be on January 25 and checkout on January 29.
Entries have now opened. Reduced entry fees are available until Thursday, January 5th and the final date for registration is Thursday, January 12th, 2012.
Regulations for the 2012 FIA Middle East Rally Championship will again permit the use of either Group N or S2000 cars. The series will be fought out over seven rounds, with the Qatar International Rally being followed by an event in Kuwait in March, Jordan in May, Lebanon and Syria in September, Cyprus in November and the final round in Dubai at the start of December.
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