LUSAIL, QATAR – The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has revealed the itinerary and format of the 2025 Qatar International Rally, which returns as round two of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) on February 6–8.
After a year off the calendar, the Oman International Rally opens the series on January 23–25. Qatar is followed by a new event in Saudi Arabia (May 1–3), the Jordan Rally (May 22–24), the Rally of Lebanon (September 7–9) and the Cyprus finale (October 4–6).
Format and route
The three-day rally features 13 special stages and 212.64 competitive kilometres in a 627.19km route. Scrutineering is at Lusail International Circuit, with media and administration at the QMMF offices. Admin checks are on Tuesday, February 4, with scrutineering on the afternoon of February 5 and the morning of February 6.
The pre-event press conference (17:30) and ceremonial start (18:00) come before the opening 4.36km asphalt stage at 19:00 on February 6. The northern deserts then host two loops of three stages on both Friday and Saturday, with the post-event press conference, prize-giving and ceremonial finish from 18:30 on Saturday.
Friday’s stages are Waab Al-Mashrab, Al-Waab and Al-Khor, repeated after a late-morning regroup and service at Lusail. Saturday features Umm Birka, Ras Laffan and Al-Thakhira, also run twice, with the second pass of the 13.98km Al-Thakhira as the Power Stage.
The rally is chaired by QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, with senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari and Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. Portugal’s Pedro Almeida returns as Clerk of the Course, with deputy Rashid Al-Sulaiti.
We have retained the usual format, with a super special stage on Thursday and two loops of three stages on Friday and Saturday. The last few events have seen a very strong entry and some fantastic competition throughout the field. We hope that our new-look event in 2025 will be no exception.
Amro Al-Hamad, QMMF Executive Director
Even though we have kept the stage names, all the stages have been partially modified with the inclusion of new routes. There are three new kilometres in the Al-Waab stage and five in Umm Birka. We have also changed the order for the running of the Al-Khor and Umm Birka stages. This gives us a better balance between the competitive distances over the two days.
Pedro Almeida, Clerk of the Course
Entries and concessions
The first entry deadline is Wednesday, January 8, with a final cut-off on Wednesday, January 22. International entrants receive a $6,000 shipping allowance and GCC teams $3,000, subject to passing scrutineering and administrative checks. The QMMF will also provide a flight allowance for driver and co-driver and a twin room with breakfast for five nights.
Start money of QR 5,000 goes to entrants who pass checks and enter before the first deadline, and QR 4,000 to those entering afterwards but before January 22.