Introduction to the Oman International Rally
SUHAR – The Oman International Rally marks the grand opening of the 2025 Middle East rallying season as it roars to life this Thursday at the Suhar Entertainment Centre (SEC). Organized by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), the inaugural round of the 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) has drawn 16 teams from nine nations, alongside six local crews competing in the Oman National Championship.
Event Organizers and Key Figures
This prestigious event is overseen by Brigadier Jamal Said Al Tai, with Suleiman Al Rawahi and Anwar Al Zadjali leading as organizing panel members and Rally Director, respectively. The star-studded lineup features three recent Middle East champions who will battle across 13 special stages spanning 232.39 competitive kilometers over three days.
Location: Suhar – A New Venue for MERC
For the first time, the MERC rally relocates to Al Batinah North Governorate and Suhar, a bustling city known for its rapid development and significant role as Oman’s primary shipping hub. While a national rally touched this region over a decade ago, all six gravel stages west of Suhar are entirely new yet retain the fast, flowing terrain that typifies Omani rallies.
“This is a fresh route but quintessentially Oman,” said Chris Hodgson, Chairman of the Organizing Committee. “The stages feature a mix of wadis, hills, and loose gravel. Though they may appear straightforward, their narrow stretches and potential for punctures pose serious challenges. We’ve worked tirelessly with Suhar Municipality, which supplied 2,500 tonnes of recycled gravel for stage grading, to make this event possible.”
Top Competitors in the 2025 Oman International Rally
Top seed Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, fresh from a commendable fourth-place finish in the Dakar Rally’s Challenger category, returns to MERC action in a QMMF-backed Citroën C3 Rally 2 alongside Irish co-driver Lorcan Moore. Similarly, Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, a seven-time Oman Rally champion, aims to extend his record with his French navigator, Edouard Boulanger, debuting in MERC behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia RS.
Local favorite Abdullah Al Rawahi, accompanied by Jordanian co-driver Ata Hmoud, seeks a hat-trick of wins on his home turf, piloting an Autotek Motorsport Skoda Fabia RS. Qatar’s Rashid Al Muhannadi, with Irish navigator Gary McElhinney, will challenge in a Peugeot 208 Rally 4, while Saudi Arabia’s Rakan Al Rashed returns to the series in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2 after a successful 2024 season in Europe.
Other Competitors and Rally Categories
Veteran Qatari driver Nasser Khalifa Al Atya and Lebanese co-driver Ziad Chehab join the fray in a Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally 2, while six teams vie for MERC2 honors in Subarus and Mitsubishis. The lineup also includes Indian crews in Ford Fiesta Rally 4s and two Can-Am Maverick X3 T4 vehicles piloted by Saudi competitors.
Rally Schedule and Highlights
The rally officially begins Thursday with a pre-event press conference at 3:00 PM, followed by the ceremonial start under the giant dome of the Suhar Entertainment Centre at 3:30 PM. Competitors will then face the opening 2.55 km Super Special Stage at 4:43 PM.
2025 Oman International Rally Entry List
- 1. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT) / Lorcan Moore (IRL) – Citroën C3 Rally 2
- 2. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT) / Edouard Boulanger (FRA) – Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- 3. Abdullah Al Rawahi (OMN) / Ata Hmoud (JOR) – Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- 4. Rashid Al Muhannadi (QAT) / Gary McElhinney (IRL) – Peugeot 208 Rally 4
- 5. Rakan Al Rashed (SAU) / Hugo Magalhaes (PRT) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2
- 6. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya (QAT) / Ziad Chehab (LEB) – Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally 2
- 7. Shadi Shaban (JOR) / Samer Issa (JOR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
- 8. Ihab Al Shurafa (JOR) / Ahmad Jankout (JOR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
- 10. Abdullah Al Zubair (OMN) / Taha Al Zadjali (OMN) – Subaru Impreza
- 11. Ahmad Khaled (LEB) / Samer Sfeir (LEB) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
- 12. Zakariya Al Aamri (OMN) / Mohammed Al Mazroui (OMN) – Subaru Impreza
- 14. Shadi El Fakih (LBN) / Joseph Kmeid (LBN) – Renault Clio Rally 5
- 15. Mohamed Mansoor Parol (IND) / Joseph Lenin (IND) – Subaru Impreza
- 16. Payyaakkal Panikkaveettil (IND) / Musa Sherif (IND) – Ford Fiesta Rally 4
- 17. Ibrahim Al Muhanna (SAU) / Faisal Al Suwayh (SAU) – Can-Am Maverick X3 T4
- 18. Yosra Jazzar (SAU) / TBA – Can-Am Maverick X3 T4
