The multi-talented Qatari, who has to his credit two Dakar Rally and a World Rally Championship 2 (WRC2) crowns to add to his 2012 Olympic trapshooting bronze medal, said: “I have been in this sport for more than 28 years, taking part in cross-country, Darkar Rally, WRC and Middle Rally championships. But I have special liking for Oman Rally.”
“It is also very challenging because it’s very technical. Speed alone is not sufficient. For a driver to succeed here he needs skill and he was to be technically good,” he said adding: “We have to really thank the Oman Automobile Association and all others who are involved in bringing this back into the MERC fold.”
Asked if there is enough motivation to compete for top honours, especially after winning the championship, he said: “Of course, I am here compete and compete well. And to win.”
“I have won 59 rally events on the MERC circuit. I want to win here and match (Mohammed) Bin Sulayem’s record,” he said referring to UAE rally legend’s 60 victories.
Fellow Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwairi, who is behind Al Attiyah in the championship, while echoing the the latter’s views on the special status of the Oman Rally, said: “Nasser had already won the championship. Now we are in the second place. We came here to win and hopefully we will achieve that target.”
Kuwait’s Salah Bin Eidan also described Oman Rally as a very rich event with a lot of beautiful stages and expressed his delighted to be competing in the rally.
Local driver Zakariya Al Oufi, meanwhile, said his focus is on local championship.
“My concentration is on the local championship because there will be double points in the Group N,” he said.
Admitting the competition will ‘tough’, he said: “It’s a tough event. No two opinions about.”
“To win here first you need to finish the rally,” he said to make his point on the difficulty of the rally.
Meanwhile, Oman Automobile Association (OAA) Managing Director Sulaiman Al Rawahi said: “It has been a big challenge for all us to make this rally happen. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible with their hard work and dedication.
“I would also like to thank all the sponsors who have come on board to support the rally.”
Clerk of the course Ahmed Al Zadjali spoke about the difficulty in readying the stages.
“It was a big challenge. There has been tremendous development all around the country. So it was difficult to prepare the stages and also the recent rains washed out half of the stages we had in mind.”
“But we have managed to prepare suitable stages for the event and with safety as our top priority,” he said.
The seventh round of the Middle East Rally Championship, during which the drivers will be covering a total distance of 546.30kms, will be flagged off at The Wave, Muscat at 6 p.m. on Thursday and comprises a super special stage. Six timed tests will then take place on Friday and Saturday.
OAA to host cross-country championship
The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) is planning to organise an international cross-country championship next year.
OAA board member Brig. Jamal Al Tai revealed this on the sidelines of a press conference organised on the eve of the Oman International Rally on Hormuz Grand Hotel on Wednesday.
“It has been our endeavour to oraganise more and more motorport events. In the recent times, we have organised competitions in various disciplines, including rallies, motocross and drift races.
“We are happy with our success in getting the Oman Rally included in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.”
“Now we are planning to host an international cross-country championship. If everything goes to according plan we will have that next year and that will run from Salalah to Muscat.”