The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) will host round two of the 2022 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) on slightly later dates this year, February 10th-12th.
Last year’s event opened the series, but Oman starts the 2022 calendar at the end of January. Qatar will be followed by Kuwait (March 25th-27th), Jordan (May 19th-21st), Lebanon (September 2nd-4th) and Cyprus (September 23rd-25th).
The format
The QMMF has planned a three-day format with 13 timed stages and 219.30 competitive kilometres in a route of 664.13km.
The event is again based at the Lusail Sports Arena, with scrutineering on Thursday, February 10th. The evening then features a pre-rally press conference, ceremonial start and a night-time super special, with more details due soon.
The northern Qatar deserts host two days of competition. Friday, February 11th, has two loops of three stages: Eraida, Al-Thakira and Al-Khor.
Day two also stays in the north, with two stages near Al-Mashrab and Umm Al-Qahab followed by a 21.32km desert stage near Ras Laffan. All three are repeated in the afternoon before the post-event press conference, prize-giving and ceremonial finish.
The rally is chaired by QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari and QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. Portugal’s Pedro Almeida is Clerk of the Course with deputy Rashed Al-Sulaiti; Almeida is currently in a similar role at the 44th Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.
The Qatar International Rally will be part of a very hectic few weeks for everyone connected with the QMMF. There are several events in various sporting disciplines taking place in the first three months of the calendar year with Ramadan now set to fall in the month of April.
QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad
The Qatar International Rally has a long history in the regional rally championship and we are delighted to be hosting round two this year. All forms of motor sport are thriving in the region and we are looking forward to welcoming our international teams to take part alongside our national competitors.
Amro Al-Hamad
Entries at reduced fees close on Wednesday, January 12th, with a final deadline of January 26th.