MUSCAT, OMAN – The Oman International Rally returns to the FIA calendar in 2025 as the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) on January 23–25.
The event is chaired by Brigadier Jamal Said Al-Tai, with organising panel member Suleiman Al-Rawahi and Rally Director Anwar Al-Zadjali. Hani Shaban is Clerk of the Course, assisted by Chris Hodgson and deputy Younis Al-Balushi.
New base in Sohar
The new-look rally is based at the Sohar Entertainment Centre (SEC) from January 19. Administration checks take place at rally HQ on Monday, January 20 from 16:00, with scrutineering on Wednesday evening at the ROP Inspection Area in Sohar. The largest city in Al-Batinah North Governorate, on Oman’s northeastern coast, Sohar is said to be the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor.
The route
On Thursday, January 23, the pre-event press conference (15:00) and ceremonial start (15:30) at the SEC are followed by the Sohar super special from 16:43.
Friday features two passes through Ar-Rusays (23.56km), Ar-Rassah (19.45km) and Al-Uwaynah (13.94km), split by a regroup and service at the SEC. Saturday brings two runs through Al-Akak (25.20km), Yanboa (13.45km) and Misyal A’sidr (19.32km), with the second Misyal A’sidr pass the new Power Stage. The prize-giving (17:30) and post-event press conference (18:30) take place at the SEC on Saturday, January 25.
A rally steeped in history
One of the oldest rallies in the Middle East, the event dates back to 1979, when Harri Kallström and Claes Billstam won in a Datsun 160J/SSS. It was part of the first MERC in 1984, won by Saeed Al-Hajri and John Spiller in a Porsche 911 SC RS.
Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and current FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem have each won it seven times, while local driver Abdullah Al-Rawahi has won twice (2021 and 2023). The late Björn Waldegård (1988), Tony Georgiou (1992), Michel Saleh (1993), Khalid Al-Qassimi (2007) and Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (2014, non-MERC) have one win each.