SOHAR (OMAN): The 2025 Oman International Rally marks the start of the Middle East rally season, officially kicking off from the Sohar Entertainment Centre (SEC) on Thursday afternoon. This highly anticipated event, organized by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), serves as the first round of the 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), featuring a competitive field of 16 teams representing nine countries, alongside six additional competitors in the Oman National Championship.
Under the leadership of Brigadier Jamal Said Al-Tai, Suleiman Al-Rawahi, and Rally Director Anwar Al-Zadjali, the rally will challenge participants with 13 special stages spanning 232.39 km over three days. This year’s rally introduces a fresh route and special stages located in the Al-Batinah North Governorate and Sohar for the first time, although a national event previously took place in the region over a decade ago. The six gravel stages located west of Sohar are new but retain the fast and flowing characteristics of Oman’s legendary terrain.
Chris Hodgson, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said, “This entirely new route is quintessentially Omani, featuring challenging wadis, hills, and loose gravel. The stages are set between Muscat and Dubai, and Sohar, a key shipping hub, is one of the fastest-growing cities in Oman.”
Hodgson also warned that while the stages may appear simple, the rally poses numerous hazards. “There are tight sections that can easily trip up competitors, and punctures are always a risk,” he explained. “The Sohar Municipality has been incredibly supportive, helping to source 2,500 tonnes of recycled gravel for stage preparation.”
Rally Action: Top Competitors and New Entries
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, a standout competitor fresh off a fourth-place finish in the Dakar Rally’s Challenger category, is the top seed. He’ll be behind the wheel of a QMMF-supported Citroën C3 alongside co-driver Lorcan Moore. Regional champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, returning from the Dakar, partners with French navigator Edouard Boulanger in pursuit of a record eighth win in Oman, driving an Autotek Motorsport Škoda Fabia RS. Boulanger will be making his MERC debut.
Oman’s own Abdullah Al-Rawahi, alongside Jordanian co-driver Ata-Hmoud, is also a strong contender, driving an Autotek Škoda. As the 2023 regional champion, Al-Rawahi aims for a third consecutive win on his home rally.
Qatari driver Rashed Al-Muhannadi, supported by the Qatar Motorsports Academy, will compete in a Peugeot 208 Rally 4 with Irish co-driver Gary McElhinney. Saudi Arabia’s Rakan Al-Rashed returns to the MERC after competing in Europe, partnering with Portugal’s Hugo Magalhães in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2. They’re looking to disrupt the regular MERC contenders.
Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya, a veteran from Qatar, teams up with Lebanese co-driver Ziad Chehab in a Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally 2. Meanwhile, six teams will battle for MERC2 honors, driving a mix of Subarus and Mitsubishis. The Jordanian duo of Shadi Shaban and Issa Al-Shorafa will lead the charge against Oman’s Abdullah Al-Zubair and Lebanon’s Ahmad Khaled.
Several new faces will join the ranks, including Shadi El Fakih from Lebanon, competing in last year’s MERC5-winning Renault Clio. Meanwhile, the Indian team of Payyaakkal Panikkaveettil and Musa Sherif will drive a Ford Fiesta Rally 4.
For the first time, Saudi Arabia will field two Can-Am Maverick X3 (T4) entries, driven by Ibrahim Al-Muhanna and Yosra Jazzar.
Event Schedule and Special Stages
The rally kicks off with a press conference at 3:00 PM on Thursday, followed by the ceremonial start at 3:30 PM inside the giant dome at the Sohar Entertainment Centre. The opening special stage, a 2.55 km Super Special, will take place at 4:43 PM.
2025 Oman International Rally – Updated Entry List:
- Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Lorcan Moore (IRL) – Citroën C3 Rally 2
- Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Edouard Boulanger (FRA) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- Rashed Al-Muhannadi (QAT)/Gary McElhinney (IRL) – Peugeot 208 Rally 4
- Rakan Al-Rashed (SAU)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2
- Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Ziad Chehab (LEB) – Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally 2
- Shadi Shaban (JOR)/Samer Issa (JOR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
- Ihab Al-Shurafa (JOR)/Ahmad Jankout (JOR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
- Abdullah Al-Zubair (OMN)/Taha Al-Zadjali (OMN) – Subaru Impreza
- Ahmad Khaled (LEB)/ Samer Sfeir (LEB) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
- Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Mazroui (OMN) – Subaru Impreza
- Shadi El Fakih (LBN)/Joseph Kmeid (LBN) – Renault Clio Rally 5
- Mohamed Mansoor Parol (IND)/Joseph Lenin (IND) – Subaru Impreza
- Payyaakkal Panikkaveettil (IND)/Musa Sherif (IND) – Ford Fiesta Rally 4
- Ibrahim Al-Muhanna (SAU)/Faisal Al-Suwayh (SAU) – Can-Am Maverick X3 (T4)
- Yosra Jazzar (SAU)/TBA – Can-Am Maverick X3 (T4)
2025 Oman Rally Championship – Entry List:
- Haitham Al-Zadjali (OMN)/TBA – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII
- Zakariya Al-Ofi (OMN)/Ammar Al-Balushi (OMN) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
- Salim Al-Tauqi (OMN)/Issa Al-Wardi (OMN) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII
- Bashar Al-Qassmi (OMN)/Bassam Al-Qassmi (OMN) – Toyota Yaris
- Mus’ab Al-Zadjali (OMN)/Nasr Al-Qassmi (OMN) – Kia Rio
- Muhanna Al-Salmi (OMN)/Saif Al-Hinai (OMN) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII
