Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, the Middle East’s most successful rally driver of all time, leads his rivals into the start of the 2017 QMMF Qatar International Rally at the Losail International Circuit, north of Doha, on Friday morning.
Ahead of the 13-time Qatar Rally winner, who has won a record 63 MERC events since the start of 2003, lie a dozen carefully chosen special stages on a two-day desert route prepared by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), led by President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai.
Ten cars and 20 competitors from 10 nations start the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. Al-Attiyah faces the Regional Rally Cars of fellow Qatari Khaled Al-Suwaidi and Kuwait’s Masoud Al-Saleh at the front, with seven MERC 2 (Group N) crews and Jordanian Asem Aref in a near-standard two-wheel-drive Renault Clio in MERC 3.
The favourite
Al-Attiyah’s global experience and local knowledge make him clear favourite for a 14th Qatar win and a 13th regional win for French co-driver Matthieu Baumel. But his Autotek-run Skoda Fabia R5 is brand new, and new servicing rules add uncertainty. He first drove a Fabia R5 in Lebanon and on the WRC round in Germany in 2015, then won last year’s title in a BRR-run Skoda, taking outright wins in Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.
The changes in the regulations will certainly make us think more carefully about taking any risks and avoiding flat tyres and car damage. It is very easy to lose the rally with a silly mistake and very difficult to make that time back. I have 12 Middle East titles so far and the goal is to beat the record. That is why it’s important for me to win this rally. I am 46-years-old now and will not go on forever. But I am enjoying my rallying. It’s great to see young Qatari drivers coming through now. I wish everybody well in this rally.
Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah
The challengers
Khalid Al-Suwaidi’s only MERC win came with British navigator Nicky Beech in Kuwait in 2012. Also in a Skoda Fabia R5, he is long overdue a second and has turned to British co-driver Marshall Clarke.
I have a new focus and am determined to push for my first win in this rally. I really feel that I have the pace to beat Nasser. I took part in several WRC rallies last year and the feeling was there.
Khalid Al-Suwaidi
The only Ford Fiesta R5 entered, the third Regional Rally Car, is crewed by Kuwaitis Masoud and Sulaiman Al-Saleh.
My plan is to drive flat out from the start. I want to enjoy myself. I want to race against Nasser and Khalid.
Masoud Al-Saleh
A late addition for this 201st championship event is Indian navigator Musa Sherif, alongside Qatar’s Khalid Al-Mohannadi in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII. From Kerala in southern India, he won the Indian National Rally Championship with Gaurav Gill in a Group N Mitsubishi Cedia in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 with Team MRF.
Experienced Irish co-driver Killian Duffy partners Nasser Al-Kuwari and was impressed on the recce.
They are much smoother and not as hard on the cars as before, that is for sure, but even the short stages on Friday carry risks. We have no service and need to stay clear of punctures. Saturday’s stages are great. It’s nice to be back and Nasser certainly has the ability to get into the top three. I guess that is the goal.
Killian Duffy
A new format
The QMMF has changed the 2017 format: there is no official service during the opening leg’s 71.62 competitive kilometres, with two loops of three stages, one remote refuelling point and no chance to repair a damaged car.
Doha-based German driver Edith Weiss, celebrating 25 years of competition since first visiting Qatar in 1992, hopes to contest the MERC this year, along with Qatar’s Sealine Cross-Country Rally and the WRC round in Portugal. The 2014 regional Ladies Cup winner is targeting MERC 2 success, but logistical problems with her car forced a late withdrawal from the Qatar International Rally.
The rally in Qatar would not have been possible without the perennial support and guidance of His Highness, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and His Excellency Salah bin Ghanem Al-Ali, Minister for Youth and Sport. We express our gratitude and our highest appreciation to them for making the rally in Qatar a reality for the world motor sporting community.
Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, QMMF President
Friday
Friday’s action features three short stages, repeated in the afternoon. The 9.84km Mekaines stage starts at 11.05hrs, and the sixth stage at Umm Wishah is set for 14.10hrs. Cold, windy weather and light rain hit the Qatar area on Thursday, and temperatures are expected to fall further in a biting northerly wind for the opening leg.