MUSCAT, OMAN – The 2026 Oman Rally Championship opened with a photo finish. Salim Al-Touqi and co-driver Issa bin Mohammed Al-Wardi won the Jafnayn Rally on 25 September in their Mitsubishi Evo 7, just 5.6 seconds clear of a Can-Am that had been hit with a one-minute penalty.
Organised by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) and sponsored by GWM Oman, the round sent eight local crews over more than 100km of stages and road sections through the gravel of Jafnayn and Misfah, with service at Al Maha Station.
Final classification
- Salim Al-Touqi / Issa Al-Wardi – Mitsubishi Evo 7 (Rally 2) – 50:42.1
- Fahad Al-Balushi / Jaber Al-Siyabi – Can-Am X3 (T4) – 50:47.7 (incl. 1-min penalty)
- Zakariya Al-Aamri / Taha Al-Zadjali – Can-Am X3 (T4) – 53:36.1
Ghaith and Bassam Al-Qasmi (Mitsubishi Evo 8) and Faisal and Yaqdhan Al-Rashdi (Subaru Impreza STI) both retired. Ahmad Soomar chaired the stewards’ panel with Abdelmajid Al-Abri and Wadhah Al-Harthi.
OAA Managing Director Suleiman Al-Rawahi said the championship is central to the association’s push to develop Omani rally talent and give young crews the experience to step up. Events Manager Wadhah Al-Harthi described the opener as a smooth start and a valuable training ground in a professional setting.
The three-round series, open to rally cars and Can-Ams, continues on 23 October and concludes on 27 November.
Photo: Oman Observer
Sources: Oman Observer, Oman Automobile Association