LUSAIL, QATAR – The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) will host the opening round of the 2024 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) on February 1–3.
With the Oman International Rally moving later in the year, Qatar returns to the start of the season, followed by Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus and Kuwait, with Oman closing the season in late November.
The revised three-day format has 13 stages and 199.95 competitive kilometres in a 622.49km route. Scrutineering is at the Lusail Sports Arena, with media and administration at the QMMF offices.
On Thursday, February 1, the press conference (18:30) and ceremonial start (19:00) move to Lusail Boulevard for the first time, followed at 20:00 by a floodlit 3.27km super special at the LCSC Karting Academy, where two cars run simultaneously from opposite points of the circuit.
Friday and Saturday each feature two loops of three stages in the northern deserts. One stage is unchanged from 2023, one runs in reverse and four have minor safety and sporting changes. Saturday brings two passes through Al-Khor (16.90km), Ras Laffan (15.93km) and Al-Thakhira (13.48km), the latter designed to meet any Power Stage requirements in the 2024 regulations, before the finish at Lusail Boulevard from 18:30.
The rally runs under QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari and Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad, with Portugal’s Pedro Almeida again Clerk of the Course and Rashid Al-Sulaiti his deputy.
We are delighted to be hosting the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship this year. Our event has consistently seen the strongest entry on any round of the championship and we have seen some fantastic competition in the last couple of years. Our team has again laid on a challenging route and I am sure that it will provide the perfect backdrop to the start of what we all hope will be an exciting season.
Amro Al-Hamad, QMMF Executive Director
Concessions for competitors
First entries close on Wednesday, January 3, with a final cut-off on Wednesday, January 17. 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 economy flights for driver and co-driver once entry fees are paid, and a twin room with breakfast for five nights.
Start prizes of QR 5,000 go to entrants who enter before the first cut-off and pass checks, and QR 4,000 to those entering before January 17.