FIA vice president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah (pictured) has said that the return of Oman Rally to the Middle East Rally Championship will increase the competition in the series. Talking at a press conference ahead of the Oman Rally, he said, “The return of Oman rally to the Middle East Championship will increase the competition. It is one of the oldest rallies in the region, and enjoys a good history and reputation.”
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) president was at Grand Herms Hotel for the Oman Trial Rally opening ceremony in Muscat along with Oman Automobile Club chairman Salem al-Askari, rally manager Hani Shaaban, Anwar Alzedgali, Omani assembly board member Gamal al-Zaire, UAE driver Khaled al-Qassimi, Oman’s Khaled al-Mangi and Qatar’s Khalifa al-Attiyah.
Al-Attiyah said that FIA considers safety as very important, and that he hoped that the Oman rally would meet the instructions of FIA to ensure its return to the Middle East calendar. The Qatari motorsport administrator said he has been trying hard to accommodate as many events as possible on the calendar.
He added that among the FIA regional divisions, Europe is considered as the strongest in motorsport and that he hopes that competitors from the Middle East are able to give strong competition and produce champions who are able to compete internationally.
Rally manager Hani Shaaban said that 24 participants will compete in the Oman rally, which will consist of 12 stages with different geographical conditions.
Oman has a history of organising rallies since 1978. After a seven-year absence from the rally calendar, the country is trying to restore its reputation in motorsport.
