Qatar International Rally to Kick-Start Middle East Rallying Season in 2024

LUSAIL, QATAR: The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has unveiled the new-look Qatar International Rally, which will kick-start the Middle East rallying season in 2024. The event will be the opening round of the 2024 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) and will take place on February 1-3.

The QMMF has laid on a revised three-day format that offers 13 timed special stages and 199.95km competitive kilometers in a route of 622.49km. Scrutineering facilities will be based at the Lusail Sports Arena with media and administration based out of QMMF’s offices.

The pre-event press conference and ceremonial start will take place at Lusail Boulevard for the first time. Competitors will then tackle a floodlit 3.27km super special stage at the LCSC Karting Academy from 20.00hrs on Thursday evening.

Qatar’s demanding northern deserts will then host two days of frenetic action with two loops of three special stages scheduled for both Friday, February 2nd, and Saturday, February 3rd. One stage remains unchanged from 2023, another will be run in the opposite direction, and four feature minor tweaks for safety and sporting reasons.

The rally will be held under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari, and the QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. Portugal’s Pedro Almeida will again work as the Clerk of the Course alongside his deputy Rashid Al-Sulaiti.

“We are delighted to be hosting the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship this year,” said QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. “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.“

Supplementary regulations and further details are available from www.qmmf.com, with first entries closing on Wednesday, January 3rd. A final cut-off date has been set for Wednesday, January 17th.

The QMMF has also announced a series of generous concessions for international and GCC competitors. International entrants will be given a $6,000 shipping allowance, with GCC teams receiving $3,000, subject to all vehicles passing scrutineering and administrative checks.

In addition, the QMMF will arrange economy class flight tickets for both driver and co-driver, once entry fees are paid, and supply one twin room with breakfast for five nights.

Start prizes will also be awarded: entrants who pass scrutineering and administrative checks and enter before the first cut-off date will receive QR 5000, and QR 4000 will be awarded to starters who enter after the early cut-off and before January 17th.