JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – Rally Saudi Arabia powered by Jameel Motorsports, the new third round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), officially got underway on the ROSHN Waterfront in Jeddah on Thursday evening.
The final start list has 22 crews ready for a dozen gravel stages north and east of Jeddah on Friday and Saturday. Five Can-Ams withdrew before the start, so the first rally of its kind in Saudi Arabia since 2010 features nine Rally2 crews, five NR4 cars in MERC2, four Rally4s, three National entries and a single SSV for local driver Hamza Bakhashab.
Slovenian co-driver Vili Oslaj was a late replacement for Emad Juma alongside Jordan’s Sheikh Bader Al-Fayez, while Jordanians Issa and Saqer Abu Jamous did not start. Crews finished two days of reconnaissance on Wednesday and used a 2.77km shakedown on Thursday morning to fine-tune their set-ups.
First of all, it’s a new rally for everyone. All the stages are new and quite tough. The first day is in mountain terrain, quite tricky and not very fast with slow corners. The second day is quite open and it’s going to be very difficult because every stage has its own characteristic. We are hoping that our notes are accurate. We will see how it goes. You always need to find a balance. The plan is always to go as fast as possible with no risks. This is a mix of so many rallies, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman and Jordan. The set-up of the car has to be suitable for every stage. It’s not easy.
Abdullah Al-Rawahi
We are very glad to have Saudi Arabia back in the MERC. The stages will not be easy. We need to think about it. There is some sand in parts of stages and that will not be easy at all. To see the stages is difficult. We are here to support the Saudi club before the WRC in the near future. My Motortune team is ready go. We will see what will happen. I am fighting for the Master Cup. That is my main goal this season.
Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya
The event is hosted by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) with the Saudi Motorsport Company, under FIA supervision as an official WRC candidate rally and the chairmanship of HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Abdulla Al-Faisal.
Friday’s stages
Buraiman (14.02km) opens the action at 07:45, followed by Wadi Al-Matwi (12.94km) at 08:23 and Um Al-Jerem (21.07km) at 09:36. After midday service at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the stages are repeated from 13:51, 14:29 and 15:42.
Official start list (leading entries)
- Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Candido Carrera (ESP) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2
- Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMA) / Ross Whittock (GBR) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2
- Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT) / Lorcan Moore (IRL) – Citroën C3 Rally2
- Juho Hänninen (FIN) / Janni Hussi (FIN) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 (not registered for MERC)
- Rakan Al-Rashed (KSA) / Hugo Magalhães (POR) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally2
- Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT) / Ziad Chehab (LBN) – Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally2
- Sheikh Bader Al-Fayez (JOR) / Vili Oslaj (SLO) – Škoda Fabia Rally2
- Ihab Al-Shurafa (JOR) / Ahmad Jankhout (JOR) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2
- Bassel Abu Hamdan (KSA) / Firas Elias (LBN) – Škoda Fabia Rally2
- Shaker Jweihan (JOR) / Aisvydas Paliukenas (LTU) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
Lebanon’s Shadi El Fakih / Joseph Kmeid (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) and Joanna Hassoun / Dolyne Chlink (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, national entry) are also on the start list.