All eyes at the QMMF Qatar International Rally will be on Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah. The 2017 edition of the QIR kicks off today and the Qatari rallying legend, who has won this event an incredible 13 times, is the clear favourite going into this two-day, action-packed motorsport spectacle. But there are other Qatari drivers who could spring a surprise this time around.
Apart from al-Attiyah, Qatar is also being represented by Khaled al-Suwaidi and Rashid al-Naimi. This opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship will be a good chance for the Qatari young guns to pull a surprise on al-Attiyah and get their year off to a great start. QMMF is happy that more Qatari drivers will be challenging for the title this year. “I am very happy with the starting list, especially with the number of Qataris taking part in this edition. This is a testimony to all the efforts that we have been putting together. And this is very pleasant for us because this is what we are working hard for,” said QMMF president Abdulrahman al-Mannai during the pre-event press conference yesterday.
The number of participants for this year’s edition isn’t high but al-Attiyah believes that the quality of competition will make it an exciting rally. “This year we don’t have big numbers in participation but we have a high quality of drivers. I wish good luck to everybody competing in this event. Qatar Rally is an important event in the Middle East. We will try to do our best to win this race and get a good start to the Championship,” said al-Attiyah yesterday.
The biggest challenge for al-Attiyah could come from al-Suwaidi. The Qatari had taken the top spot of a MERC podium in 2012 at the Kuwait event. However, more promising for al-Suwaidi would be the second-place finish in last year’s QIR. He will be keen to do one better this year. “This year I aim to win the Rally. Last year I finished second. Last year I took part in seven rounds of the WRC2 and I think everyone will see the difference in me in this Rally,” said al-Suwaidi yesterday.
The other Qatari, al-Naimi has his own strategy to counter his compatriots. “I will try to push as hard as I can. I am not going to use any strategy but just go flat out,” said al-Naimi.
QMMF has introduced quite a few changes this year to make the event more competitive. The chief among them is the no-service scenario on the first day. On the second day there’s remote servicing available. This ensures that drivers will have to take utmost care not to incur any damage to the car.
“The changes in the regulations will certainly make us think more carefully about taking any risks and avoiding flat tyres and car damage,” admitted top seed al-Attiyah. “It is very easy to lose the rally with a silly mistake and very difficult to make that time back,” he added.
With al-Attiyah and al-Suwaidi both driving Skoda Fabia R5s, al-Naimi is confident that his Subaru Impreza WRX STi will hold him in good stead. “I have a good advantage because I am driving a Subaru and it’s a strong car. So the remote service is not a problem for me,” said al-Naimi yesterday.
Al-Attiyah also supported the idea of doing the entire event at Losail. “I think it’s a good idea. The strategy of QMMF is to do everything at Losail. This is a good thing for the fans because they can come here with their families to watch this event.  They can see the cars and enjoy the circuit too,” said the 46-year-old.
Gentlemen, start your engines…


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