Al-Attiyah and Carrera Lead in 2025 Oman Rally Opener
Sohar, Oman – Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Candido Carrera set the fastest time of the 2025 Oman International Rally, clocking 2 minutes 27.3 seconds in the 2.52 km opening Super Special Stage (SS1) at the Sohar Entertainment Centre (SEC) on Thursday afternoon. Driving the Škoda Fabia RS, the duo finished 3.5 seconds ahead of Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari and Lorcan Moore, who raced the Citroën C3, in what promises to be an exciting start to the event.
The Oman International Rally marks the opening round of the 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). Sixteen teams participated, with five additional crews competing in the Oman National Championship.
Carrera, a seasoned co-driver for Dani Sordo in the FIA World Rally Championship, stepped in for the 44-year-old Al-Attiyah’s regular navigator. The pair share a strong history, having secured podium finishes together in Greece, Portugal, and Sardinia over the past three seasons.
Al-Attiyah commented, “We’re using a new car, and I have a new co-driver who’s extremely experienced. We’re excited to start the season here in Oman and aim for a strong performance. These stages bring back memories of past Oman rallies, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”
The day saw multiple competitors in the fight for overall titles, including Abdullah Al-Rawahi and Ata Al-Hmoud, who started strong with the third-fastest time. Meanwhile, Rakan Al-Rashed, racing in the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2, placed fourth, followed by Rashid Al-Muhannadi and Gary Mcelhinney, who held fifth with their Peugeot 208 Rally 4.
In the MERC2 category, Shadi Shaban and Samer Issa emerged victorious in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, while Lebanon’s Ahmad Khaled encountered difficulties, losing time after being stuck on a gravel mound.
Among the competitors is Ibrahim Al-Muhanna from Saudi Arabia, making his Oman debut, and aiming for a full MERC season following the addition of a Saudi Arabian round.
The event’s pre-race press conference and ceremonial start were held inside the impressive planetarium-style dome at SEC, marking the first indoor MERC rally launch.
Tomorrow, competitors will head west of Sohar for two loops of three gravel stages, starting with the 23.56 km Ar-Rusays at 09:18 hrs. The afternoon will see repeats of the same stages, followed by regrouping and servicing at the SEC.
Unofficial Results after SS1 (2025 Oman International Rally):
- Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Candido Carrera (ESP) – Škoda Fabia RS – 2:27.3
- Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Lorcan Moore (IRL) – Citroën C3 – 2:30.8
- Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) – Škoda Fabia RS – 2:31.6
- Rakan Al-Rashed (SAU)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) – Toyota Yaris – 2:36.3
- Rashid Al-Muhannadi (QAT)/Gary Mcelhinney (IRL) – Peugeot 208 – 2:50.4
- Shadi Shaban (JOR)/Samer Issa (JOR) – Mitsubishi Evo IX – 2:51.0
- Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Mazroui (OMN) – Subaru Impreza – 2:55.5
- Ihab Al-Shurafa (JOR)/Ahmad Jankout (JOR) – Mitsubishi Evo X – 2:58.3
- Mohamed Mansoor Parol (IND)/Lenin Joseph (IND) – Subaru Impreza – 2:58.8
- Ibrahim Al-Muhanna (SAU)/Ali Hassan Obaid (ARE) – Can-Am Maverick X3 (T4) – 3:01.7
- Saneem Payyakkal (IND)/Musa Sherif (IND) – Ford Fiesta Rally 4 – 3:02.3
- Shadi El Fakih (LBN)/Joseph Kmeid (LBN) – Renault Clio Rally 5 – 3:04.0
- Abdullah Al-Zubair (OMN)/Taha Al-Zadjali (OMN) – Subaru Impreza – 3:08.7
- Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Ziad Chehab (LEB) – Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally 2 – 3:21.9
- Yosra Jazzar (SAU)/Faisal Al-Suwayh (SAU) – Can-Am Maverick X3 (T4) – 4:12.6
- Ahmad Khaled (LEB)/Samer Sfeir (LEB) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X – 8:47.6
2025 Oman National Rally – positions after SS1:
- Zakariya Al-Ofi (OMN)/Mutasim Al-Balushi (OMN) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX – 2:47.5
- Haitham Al-Zadjali (OMN)/Wail Al-Shaibani (OMN) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII – 2:54.4
- Salim Al-Tauqi (OMN)/Issa Al-Wardi (OMN) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII – 3:04.9
- Mus’ab Al-Zadjali (OMN)/Nasr Al-Qassmi (OMN) – Kia Rio – 3:25.5
- Bashar Al-Qassmi (OMN)/Bassam Al-Qassmi (OMN) – Toyota Yaris – 4:11.8
Follow the live results:
Oman Rally Live Results
