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Category: Rally
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Harkrishan Wadia tops among Indian qualifiers: FIA Rally Star Cup
Chennai, 10 Oct 2022: As many as seven Indian drivers qualified for the Stage-2 of the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Finals following preliminary runs at the Madras International Circuit here on Monday. In all, 25 competitors advanced to the next round.
Delhi’s 24-year old Harkrishan Wadia was the quickest among the Indian qualifiers, clocking a best lap of 49.40 seconds over a 900-metre tarmac course in his second run which was an improvement over 49.90 that he did in the first timed outing.
The seven Indians, out of 16 home aspirants, who advanced to Stage-2 are: Harkrishan Wadia (Delhi), Jasmehar Jubbal (Faridabad), Jeremy Miller (Bengaluru), Arnav Pratap Singh (Delhi), Tarushi Vikram (Chikkamagaluru), Pragati Gowda (Bengaluru) and Vedant Jouhari (Bengaluru).
An elated Harikrishnan said: “Of course, I am happy to progress to the next stage, but there is still a long way to go. I am also very pleased that seven from India made it to the next round. For us Indians, it was our first experience in the Cross Car and so a steep learning curve. Now, we all are focussed on tomorrow’s Stage-2 and I hope, most if not all of us make it to Wednesday’s last Stage.”
Harkrishan Wadia from Delhi, a regular in INRC, tops the qualifier Day 1, on tarmac. The 40 qualifiers form nine countries of the Asia-Pacific region were divided into seven groups, each given one recce run and two timed outings with the best timed lap taken into account for classification. The top three from each group, along with four other fastest drivers across all groups, progressed to Stage-2 which will be run at the same venue on Tuesday when 12 finalists for the Wednesday’s final round will be chosen based on their performance.
Due to heavy overnight rains, the course was shifted from dirt to a tarmac configuration. On Tuesday, the course will be extended to 1800 metres and 3 Kms for Wednesday, but all subject to the weather conditions.
The winners of the Asia-Pacific region will be announced on Wednesday, October 12, after all drivers have been interviewed by the four-member Jury.
The jury comprises: FIA Rally Director Andrew Wheatley (Chairman), Pernilla Solberg, Maciej Woda and Guy Botterill (Driver Advisor).
The winner of the FIA Rally Star Asia-Pacific Final will represent the region in the 2023 FIA Rally Star Training Season. Besides six rallies in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3, the Training Season package includes physical and intellectual assessment, driver coaching and testing. The aim is to equip the successful contestants with the attributes they need as they attempt to secure a drive in the FIA World Rally Championship in the future.
At the end of 2023, the best four FIA Rally Star Team members are rewarded with a season in the FIA Junior WRC Championship in 2024. For 2025, three drivers go forward into a second Junior WRC season. And if one of the FIA Rally Star Team members wins the title, they secure a WRC2 campaign in a Rally2 car for 2026 with a Rally1 drive their next target.Apart from any initial registration fee to take part in a national selection event, plus travel costs to and from national selections and the Continental Final, all other costs are covered by the FIA and the FIA Rally Star Partners. The partners are M-Sport, Pirelli, the FIA World Rally Championship, Nacon, Thrustmaster, Playseat, Digital Motorsports, OMP and LifeLive.
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Gaurav Gill gets WRC2 outing for 2022 Safari Rally
India’s decorated rally driver and Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill on Wednesday announced his return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2022 after a two-year hiatus.
The three-time APRC (Asia Pacific Rally Championship) champion and a seven-time INRC (Indian National Rally Championship) champion will take part in the WRC Safari Rally in Kenya scheduled from June 23 to 26.
The 40-year-old will be driving the Skoda Fabia R5 in WRC 2, a car he is familiar with, with Brazilian co-driver Gabriel Morales. Touted as one of the most challenging rallies on the WRC calendar, the Safari features 19 special stages covering almost 365km of competition crossing challenging closed dirt roads, rocky and rutted tracks and unpredictable weather which can transform dry and dusty trails into muddy bogs.
Gill’s last outing in WRC 2 was pre-pandemic in 2019 in Rally of Turkey where despite missing out on completing his tryst with victory, he won a lot of praise for his commendable drive by the fraternity. His outing in Rally of Australia came to a halt as the event was cancelled last minute due to the raging fire in the forest stages around the city of Coffs Coast, New South Wales.
“I am excited to return to WRC after a hiatus of over two years. I have utilized these two years of pandemic to reflect on my previous participations and have worked on improving my fitness and performance holistically while engaging in various top end activities besides National Rally championship. I am thankful to JK Tyre Motorsports for their support and I am optimistic of claiming good results for the country and the team,” Gill said.
JK Tyre also announced a scholarship program of 300,000 Euros which will be utilized to promote upcoming talent who have proved their mettle on the domestic circuit. “Up to five young talented athletes including a girl athlete from across verticals of motorsport will be identified to avail the scholarship,” said the company in a statement.
The first one to be part of it is India’s rising racing star, 17-year-old Amir Sayed from Kottyam, who proved his mettle and became the JK Tyre Novice Cup Champion in 2020 by winning all the 12 races of the season in his category. Amir is in the French F4 Championship this year.
Sanjay Sharma, Head of Motorsports, JK Tyre said: “With an aim to give the young talent the much-needed push, we have announced this scholarship program which will select kids from across categories and provide them a chance to bring in laurels by representing the nation at international platforms.
[Note: The above is from PTI]
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Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández creates history for Team MRF Tyres
Ponta Delgada (Azores), 27 March 2022: Team MRF Tyres, Efrén Llarena claimed a sensational victory at the Azores Rallye in Portugal to secure the maiden FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) win for Team MRF Tyres. The second round of the FIA ERC took place in unpredictable weather with Saturday having torrential rain and Sunday being run mostly in beautiful sunshine. The difficult conditions did not deter Team MRF Tyres as Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández created history by taking the historic win for the team.
It was a thrilling finish with the Spanish duo needing to make up 6.1 seconds on the final stage to snatch victory in their Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. They had started the day in third place and soon moved up to second but had to make up more than 10 seconds to the leader. It demanded a huge effort from Team MRF Tyres. They clinched the top spot from hometown hero Ricardo Maura at the very last stage to win the rally.
The other two drivers of Team MRF Tyres also finished the Azores Rallye in the top 10. Simone Campedelli and Tania Canton of Team MRF Tyres had to overcome a technical issue that saw them drop time in the morning loop. However, after the team effected repairs, the Italian duo were able to maintain their place to finish 7th while their teammates Norbert Herczig and Igor Bacigál also found pace through the day as they worked their way to finish 8th in the rally.
In the ERC3 category Team MRF Tyres’ Igor Widlak and Daniel Dymurski finished second in the category.
On winning the Azores Rallye, Efrén Llarena said, “It is amazing, I cannot describe the feeling of taking my first win at the European Rally Championship and the first for the Team MRF Tyres. We knew we had to push hard, and I knew if we pushed anything was possible. It is amazing how the MRF tyres performed. The tyres gave me confidence to push for the victory. I must thank everyone at Team MRF Tyres who made this possible. I am really proud to be able to bring this victory home.”
After the second round of the 2022 FIA ERC, Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández sit second in the standings. The next round takes place on tarmac with the Rally Islas Canarias in May 2022.
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Llarena-Fernández of MRF Tyres win Spanish Rally Round 1
Madrid, 6 March 2022: It was a successful start to the year for Team MRF Tyres in the Spanish Rally Championship with Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernández winning the Rally Tierras Altas de Lorca.
The opening round of the ‘Supercampeonato de España de Rallyes’ saw a star studded field and many crews competed on MRF Tyres.
The rally took place on gravel over eight stages and 105.84 competitive kilometres and Llarena/Fernández were immediately competitive in their Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo.
The moved into the lead by the halfway point in the rally and then controlled the event with two stage wins to win the event by 23.6 seconds.
The outright win is a valuable boost as MRF Tyres prepares for the opening round of the FIA European Rally Championship next weekend.
Competitors on MRF Tyres also won in other categories.
Delbin García and Diago Cruz Ares won the Beca Júnior R2 RFEdA class in their Peugeot 208 Rally4, taking the class win by over a minute from their nearest competitor.
It was a double success in the N5 category with Oriol Gómez Marco and José Murado González winning the category in their Nissan Micra N5.
Their MRF Tyres counterparts of Marcos Canedo López and Miguel Ángel Vilas Martínez took third in their Peugeot 208 N5.
In total there were 11 entrants running on MRF Tyres in the opening round of Spanish Rally Championship and with the outstanding results, it demonstrates the pace of the tyre and proves the development work achieved over the past two years.
Team MRF Tyres now turns its attention to the first round of the FIA European Rally Championship with the Rally Serras de Fafe – Felgueiras – Cabreira e Botica or the Fafe Rally.
Three drivers will compete for the win on MRF Tyres with Llarena/Fernández looking for another win. Norbert Herczig and Igor Bacigál join the team with Simone Campedelli and Tania Canton returning for another campaign.
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Al-Attiyah, Meeke and Ostberg head for gripping showdown
Losail (Qatar), 9 Feb. 2022: Eight RC2/Rally2 cars will compete for glory in this weekend’s Qatar International Rally – a record number for a round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship – and Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah faces his fiercest ever test if he is to secure a 16th career success on his home rally.
Cars will be flagged off from the ceremonial start at the Losail Circuit from 19.30hrs on Thursday evening, as the international focus is drawn to what is likely to be a pulsating three-way battle between Al-Attiyah and his visiting WRC rivals, Kris Meeke and Mads Østberg, the latter competing in the southern Gulf region for the first time.
Add in the Qatari trio of Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Khaled Al-Suwaidi and Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya and the formidable Omani duo of Hamed Al-Wahaibi and Abdullah Al-Rawahi and the scene is set for an eight-way tussle for outright supremacy over a dozen gravel special stages on Friday and Saturday.
Škoda has strength in numbers with six Fabia R2 evos at the front of the field ready to do battle with Al-Attiyah’s Volkswagen Polo GTI and Al-Atya’s Ford Fiesta R5.
“It’s going to be a very interesting weekend and Mathieu and I are excited for it, focused and ready to go,” said Al-Attiyah. “The stages look great. They need to be respected as always. It’s easy to throw away time here by taking risks. We need to manage our pace where possible.”
Østberg added: “This is a completely new challenge for me with the desert rallies. I am ready. Two days of testing is done, the team and car is working well and Ilka (Minor) is doing a perfect job for me.”
Al-Attiyah is bidding for a record-breaking 18th MERC title and arrives at the start in Qatar with an eight-point lead in the series after his recent seventh win in Oman.
Al-Atya is his closest rival and Oman’s Abdullah Al-Rawahi is equal third in the series, 15 points adrift of Al-Attiyah after finishing seventh in Oman. Al-Wahaibi was sixth overall on his home event but is not registered for the regional series this year.
Al-Attiyah’s co-driver Mathieu Baumel will be starting from scratch in his bid for another title after missing out on the Oman Rally because of personal reasons.
Five drivers will be embroiled in their very own battle for MERC2 glory. Jordan’s Ihab Al-Shorafa holds an eight-point lead over Issa Abu Jamous, following his recent win in Oman, but the two Jordanians face the defending category champion, Meshari Al-Thefiri, on this occasion.
The Kuwaiti will compete in Qatar in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X before jetting off to next weekend’s Jordan Baja. He again teams up with Qatar’s Nasser Al-Kuwari in a bid to kick-start the defence of his title.
Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Attiyah and German female driver Edith Weiss will also compete in MERC2, the Qatari teaming up with experienced Cypriot co-driver Savvas Laos.
Former MERC3 winner Henry Kahy teams up with fellow Lebanese Carlos Hanna to head a three-car field in the Qatar National Rally. Like Kahy, Qatar’s Ahmed Allouh and Ahmad Al-Mohannadi will drive T3 lightweight prototype versions of the Can-Am Maverick X3 that are not eligible for the main FIA rally.
Tomorrow (Thursday), is a hectic and varied day for competitors, starting with scrutineering checks at the Losail Circuit from 07.00hrs to noon. After a driver’s briefing by rally officials, teams will be able to practice at rally speeds over a nearby shakedown stage between 14.30hrs and 16.30hrs.
Leading drivers will then attend the official pre-event press conference from 18.45hrs and the ceremonial start is scheduled for 19.30hrs at the Losail Circuit.
2022 Qatar International Rally – entry list:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mathieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Polo GTI
2. Kris Meeke (AND)/Chris Patterson (IRL) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
3. Mads Østberg (NOR)/Ilka Minor (AUT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
4. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Dale Moscatt (AUS) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
5. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
6. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Ziad Chehab (LEB) Ford Fiesta R5
7. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
9. Khaled Al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
10. Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMN)/Tony Sircombe (NZL) Škoda Fabia R2 evo
11. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
12. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
14. Mohammed Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Savvas Laos (CYP) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
15. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) Subaru Impreza
16. Edith Weiss (QAT)/Serena Mattivi (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
2022 Qatar National Rally – entry list:
51. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Carlos Hanna (LEB) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3)
52. Ahmed Allouh (QAT)/Fares Allouh (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3)
53. Ahmad Al-Mohannadi (QAT)/Mubarak Al-Khelaifi (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3)
2022 FIA Middle East Rally Championship – standings after round 1:
Drivers:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) 39pts
2. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT) 31pts
3. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR) 24pts
3. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN) 24pts
5. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR) 20pts
6. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN) 3pts
Co-drivers:
1. Alba Sanchéz Gonzaléz (ESP) 39pts
2. Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) 31pts
3. Yousef Juma (JOR) 24pts
3. Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) 24pts
5. Emad Juma (JOR) 20pts
6. Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) 3pts
MERC2:
1. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR) 39pts
2. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR) 31pts
3. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN) 5pts
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Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah wins 7th Oman title with Spanish co-driver Alba Sánchez González
Muscat (Oman), 29 Jan 2022: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Spanish co-driver Alba Sánchez González managed their pace to perfection to seal an emphatic victory in Oman Rally Sohar International on Saturday.
With the hard work done on Friday’s gravel stages, Al-Attiyah avoided risks over the closing half dozen speed tests to secure a seventh victory in Oman by the margin of 15min 13.8sec in his Autotek Volkswagen Polo GTI. It was the Qatari’s 79th career MERC win and gave him the perfect foundations on which to build a challenge for an 18th regional title.
Sánchez González, who was standing-in for Mathieu Baumel as Al-Attiyah’s co-driver, became the first female to win a round of the MERC since Veronika Havelková partnered Vojtĕch Štajf to a one-off victory in Qatar in 2018. Sweden’s Tina Thörner had been the first female ever to win a round of the MERC alongside Al-Attiyah in Qatar in 2009.
Left, Alba Sanchez and Nasser, celebrate after Oman Rally win on Saturday. Photo by ORS “It was important that we got off to a winning start here in Oman and I am very happy with this result,” said Al-Attiyah. “I was able to manage my pace today, avoid punctures and take no risks. Today was about preserving the car and protecting the lead.
“The stages are fantastic with amazing landscapes. Alba stood in for Mathieu and did a fantastic job. I am delighted for her that she has a first win in the Middle East.”
The man in form over the final day was a resurgent Hamed Al-Wahaibi, the Omani veteran bouncing back from turbo issues at the start of day one to win five stages on Saturday. That enabled Al-Wahaibi and Kiwi co-driver Tony Sircombe to finish in sixth place in their Motortune Škoda Fabia.
“It was a good rally and we had a great run but had a puncture in the last one,” said Al-Wahaibi. “I really attacked this afternoon. I took it a bit easier in the morning and pressed hard this afternoon. We’ve certainly got the car set up for Qatar. I think we have found something very positive for there. All is good. Looking forward to the next one. I had a very fun day today and that’s what it’s all about.”
Oman’s Zakariya and Mohammed Al-Aamri led the MERC2 category in a Subaru Impreza until mechanical issues forced them out of fourth overall on the penultimate stage. Jordan’s Issa Abu Jamous and Emad Juma duly moved up to fourth to win MERC2 and Ihab Al-Shorafa and Yousef Juma secured fifth place and second in the category.
A team of mechanics worked hard on Friday afternoon to repair Abdullah Al-Rawahi’s damaged Škoda Fabia and the Omani repaid their efforts with a string of solid stage times over the final day. Like Al-Wahaibi, he had suffered hefty time penalties, restarted under Rally2 and reached the finish in seventh overall.
“Yesterday was a disaster with the technical issue we had on SS3,” said Al-Rawahi. “We are running the new car with limited spare parts and we struggled a bit. The technical team did a great job. They managed to repair the car, not 100%, and that’s why we took it easy today.
“We wanted to save the car and finish the rally to get the championship points. The stages were technical and we learned a lot. We also used the day to test Michelin and Pirelli tyres. It was more of a test and great experience for us. I am only 24-years-old and I am proud to be racing against the likes of Nasser and Hamed. I am learning all the time.”
Al-Attiyah noticeably eased his pace to conserve the car and preserve his substantial overnight lead at the start of the final day. But both Al-Wahaibi and Abdullah Al-Rawahi were on a mission to make amends for their disappointing retirements on Friday.
The duo were fastest and second quickest through each of the three stages on the morning loop, but were too far behind after time penalties to catch sixth-placed Ihab Al-Shorafa.
Al-Attiyah duly reached the service point between the two loops of stages with a lead over Kačirek of 11min 15.5sec, although the Czech had strengthened his grip on second place to 2min 33.9sec from Al-Atya. Oman’s Jarah Al-Touqi did not start the second leg.
Al-Wahaibi pressed on to win two of the afternoon’s three stages to secure sixth place, as Al-Attiyah coasted to the finish line with a fastest time on the last stage to confirm a seventh victory in the Sultanate and a first for his stand-in co-driver.
Haitham Al-Soomar (Mitsubishi) won the Oman Rally Championship category from second-placed Lebanese driver Alain Nawfal (T3 Yamaha). Musab Al-Soomar came home in third place in a Kia, despite an accident that cost him over 20 minutes on the final stage. Oman’s Haitham Al-Hadidi retired his Mitsubishi at the start of the day.
The 2022 FIA Middle East Rally Championship now heads to Qatar on February 10th-12th.
2022 Oman Rally Sohar International – positions after SS13:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Alba Sánchez González (ESP) Volkswagen Polo GTI; 2hr 25min 17.2sec;
2. Petr Kačirek (CZE)/Václav Kopáček (CZE) Škoda Fabia; 2hr 40min 31.0sec;
3. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Ford Fiesta; 2hr 43min 29.3sec;
4. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX; 3hr 05min 39.1sec;
5. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX; 3hr 09min 21.8sec;
6. Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMN)/Tony Sircombe (NZL) Škoda Fabia; 3hr 13min 49.6sec;
7. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia; 3hr 14min 50.3sec;
2022 Oman National Sohar Rally – positions after SS13:
1. Haitham Al-Soomar (OMN)/Wael Al-Shabani (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII; 2hr 58min 30.7sec;
2. Alain Nawfal (LEB)/Bashar Qassimi (OMN) Yamaha YXZ 1000R; 3hr 27min 36.4sec;
3. Musab Al-Soomar (OMN)/Bassam Al-Qasmi (OMN) Kia Rio; 4hr 33min 36.2sec;
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Nasser Al-Attiyah cruises to massive lead after Leg 1: Oman Rally Sohar
Nakhal (Oman), 28 Jan 2022: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Spanish co-driver Alba Sánchez González cruised into a massive lead of 8min 39.5sec after the opening leg of Oman Rally Sohar International on Friday.
Following the premature retirement of both Hamed Al-Wahaibi and Abdullah Al-Rawahi just before and on the first run through the Misfah special, the Qatari managed his pace to protect his Autotek Volkswagen Polo GTI. He won every stage on the day and is firmly on course for a seventh victory in Oman and a 79th career MERC rally win.
Czech Petr Kačirek and co-driver Václav Kopáček reached the night halt in second place in their Duck Racing Škoda Fabia and Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya and Italian co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini rounded off the podium places in third in a Ford Fiesta R5.
Premature retirement for Hamed Al-Wahaibi on Friday. Photo from Oman Rally Sohar Media officer. Al-Attiyah started strongly and was able to extend his advantage over Al-Wahaibi from 3.3 seconds to 28.2 seconds after the first pass through the 21.98km of Al-Khoud when Al-Wahaibi lost power towards the end of the stage. The FIA field had already been whittled down to eight after the retirement of Oman’s Jarah Al-Touqi before the restart.
The Qatari’s cushion grew to a massive 3min 54.7sec after the subsequent Misfah stage: Al-Rawahi stopped with extensive rear suspension damage and Al-Wahaibi retired with turbocharger issues before the start of the Misfah special. Their demise lifted Kačirek and Al-Atya into the podium places. Al-Attiyah’s lead then grew to five minutes after the Saal special and he reached service in relaxed mood.
The Qatari noticeably eased his pace on the re-run of Al-Khoud and headed for the last two stages of the day with an advantage of 6min 44.5sec. He continued to ease away from his rivals and had built up a comfortable cushion at the end of the day.
Oman’s Zakariya and Mohammed Al-Aamri lead the MERC2 category in their fourth-placed Subaru Impreza and the Jordanian pairings of Issa Abu Jamous and Emad Juma and Ihab Al-Shorafa and Yousef Juma are fifth and sixth overall.
Al-Wahaibi and Al-Rawahi will now need to regroup and refocus in time to restart under the Rally2 ruling for the remaining six special stages on Saturday.
“This is the fourth Oman Rally that I have retired from,” reflected Al-Wahaibi. “I have entered four and retired from four. Three I was leading and retired because of mechanical problems. Today it was a turbo. It was an engine one time and a ball joint, one time.
“All those retirements have been purely cruel luck and not driver mistakes. They have all been technical. I was excited for today’s stages. They were really fun and enjoyable to drive. Unfortunately, I only drove the first one. Especially through the wadi and the water splash, it was something pretty special. The car was performing well and Tony (Sircombe) was completely in sync.
“I am obviously disappointed for the fans and the team. I am here for fun. I am back in the sport. I have no targets and just love driving fast. I adore rallying. It is passion-based, so it is not a problem.”
Oman’s Haitham Al-Hadidi had been the overnight leader of the Oman National Rally, but Haitham Al-Soomar snatched the advantage in SS2, where Musab Al-Soomar retired with technical issues.
Al-Soomar continued to lead as the day progressed in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII and reached the end of the leg with a lead of 18min 6.5sec. Lebanon’s Alain Nawfal moved up to second in a T3 Yamaha YXZ 1000R after Al-Hadidi hit trouble on the seventh stage.
2022 Oman Rally Sohar International – positions after SS7:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Alba Sánchez González (ESP) Volkswagen Polo GTI R5; 1hr 20min 09.0sec;
2. Petr Kačirek (CZE)/Václav Kopáček (CZE) Škoda Fabia R5; 1hr 28min 48.5sec;
3. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Ford Fiesta R5; 1hr 29min 30.6sec;
4. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) Subaru Impreza; 1hr 40min 47.6sec;
5. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX; 1hr 41min 18.2sec;
6. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX; 1hr 45min 54.6sec;
Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R5; RETIRED SS3;
Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMN)/Tony Sircombe (NZL) Škoda Fabia R5; RETIRED SS3;
Jarah Al-Touqi (OMN)/Issa Al-Wardi (OMN) Subaru Impreza; RETIRED SS2;
2022 Oman National Sohar Rally – positions after SS7:
1. Haitham Al-Soomar (OMN)/Wael Al-Shabani (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII; 1hr 37min 25.7sec;
2. Alain Nawfal (LEB)/Bashar Qassimi (OMN) Yamaha YXZ 1000R; 1hr 56min 12.2sec;
3. Haitham Al-Hadidi (OMN)/Saif Al-Hinai (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII; 2hr 02min 29.4sec;
Musab Al-Soomar (OMN)/Bassam Al-Qasmi (OMN) Kia Rio; RETIRED SS2;
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Nasser Al-Attiyah tops SSS with stand-in co-driver Alba Sanchez
Nakhal (Oman), 27 Jan 2022: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and stand-in Spanish co-driver Alba Sánchez González began their new partnership in winning style by setting the fastest time of 3min 42.8sec through the opening super special stage of Oman Rally Sohar International on Thursday afternoon.
Bidding to win a remarkable 18 FIA Middle East Rally Championship titles since 2003, the recent Dakar Rally winner flung his Autotek Volkswagen Polo GTI through the narrow dusty corners of the graded opening test and moved into a 3.3-second lead over Oman’s Hamed Al-Wahaibi and Kiwi co-driver Tony Sircombe in their Motortune-run Škoda Fabia Evo.
“There were a few stones on the track, so we had to be a little careful to avoid tyre damage, but it was a straightforward start,” said Al-Attiyah.
“Good first stage and getting back into it without taking too many risk,” said second-placed Al-Wahaibi. “The car was working well and the team is perfect. Tony is fantastic. Everything is smooth. I am here to compete with myself and enjoy the rally. I am not here to compete with anyone else. I am not registering for the championship and I am not worrying about the championship.
“I just want to enjoy myself. If I beat Nasser, fantastic. If Nasser beats me and I finish second, fantastic. We know Nasser’s capabilities. I am very proud of Nasser and what he is achieving. He is a good friend.”
Nine FIA entrants and four cars running in the Oman National Rally Championship were flagged away from a revised ceremonial start at Nakhal before crews tackled the opening 3.90km super special stage with the spectacular backdrop of the rugged mountains to one side and the urban Nakhal area to the other.
Sunny and slightly windy conditions prevailed, as the defending Oman Rally champion Abdullah Al-Rawahi and Jordanian navigator Ata Al-Hmoud carded the third fastest time in their Škoda Fabia. The youngster finished just 5.4 seconds adrift of his local rival to set up the prospect of a thrilling tussle for the podium places over the weekend.
Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya teamed up with the experienced Italian co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini to hold fourth place in a Ford Fiesta R5, despite picking up a flat tyre and doing the last portion of the stage with a deflating tyre.
MERC debutant Petr Kačirek and co-driver Václav Kopáček safely negotiated the opening few kilometres in their Duck Racing Škoda Fabia in fifth.
The opening stage ran in reverse order and the Jordanian pairing of Issa Abu Jamous and Emad Juma were the first crew into the stage. They carded a target time of 4min 15.3sec and that put them into sixth at the night halt.
The local crew of Jarah Al-Touqi and Issa Al-Wardi were second quickest of the MERC2 contingent in their Subaru Impreza and held seventh overall.
Oman’s Zakariya and Mohammed Al-Aamri were eighth and Jordan’s Ihab Al-Shorafa and Yousef Juma rounded off the FIA contingent in ninth place.
Oman’s Haitham Al-Hadidi and Saif Al-Hinai drew first blood on the national rally that ran behind the main field.
The bulk of the competitive action takes place over 12 timed special stages on Friday and Saturday before the ceremonial finish and post-event press conference take place at Nakhal from 15.25hrs on Saturday afternoon.
2022 Oman Rally Sohar International – positions after SS1:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Alba Sánchez González (ESP) VW Polo GTI R5; 3min 42.8sec
2. Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMN)/Tony Sircombe (NZL) Škoda Fabia R5; 3min 46.1sec;
3. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R5; 3min 51.5sec;
4. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Ford Fiesta R5; 4min 09.9sec;
5. Petr Kačirek (CZE)/Václav Kopáček (CZE) Škoda Fabia R5; 4min 11.0sec;
6. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX; 4min 15.3sec;
7. Jarah Al-Touqi (OMN)/Issa Al-Wardi (OMN) Subaru Impreza 4min 26.3sec;
8. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) Subaru Impreza 4min 32.5sec;
9. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX; 4min 35.7sec.
2022 Oman National Sohar Rally – positions after SS1:
1. Haitham Al-Hadidi (OMN)/Saif Al-Hinai (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII; 4min 18.7sec;
2. Haitham Soomar (OMN)/Wael Al-Shabani (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII; 4min 23.1sec;
3. Alain Nawfal (LEB)/Bashar Qassimi (OMN) Yamaha YXZ 1000 R; 4min 25.4sec;
4. Musab Al-Soomar (OMN)/Bassam Al-Qasmi (OMN) Kia Rio; 4min 54.7sec.
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Super Special Stage (SSS) introduced for Oman Rally Sohar
Muscat (Oman), 26 Jan 2022: The cream of the Middle East’s special stage rally drivers will take the start of Oman Rally Sohar International 2022 on Thursday afternoon.
The Oman Automobile Association have made a couple of late changes to the itinerary for the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). Most notably, the pre-event press conference and ceremonial start venue have moved from Al-Mouj to Nakhal and will start at the earlier time of 14.15hrs and 15.00hrs, respectively.
Event officials have also introduced a timed 3.90km super special stage at Nakhal, with the first car in action from 16.00hrs.
Qatar’s Dakar sensation and multiple regional champion, Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, tops the entry in his Autotek Volkswagen Polo GTI and is bidding for a seventh win in Oman. His regular French co-driver Mathieu Baumel should have been trying to earn a third win in Oman, but was unable to make the trip for personal reasons.
His place alongside Al-Attiyah has been taken by 29-year-old Spanish female co-driver Alba Sánchez González, who is a regular navigator on the Spanish national and international rallying scene.
Last year, she partnered Surhayen Pernia in a Hyundai Motor España-supported i20 R5, with the crew finishing seventh overall in the ERC Rally Islas Canarias and claiming outright victory at the Rallye La Nucía-Mediterráneo and Rallye Valles Pasiegos. Oman will be Alba’s first rally in the GCC region, although she did sit alongside England’s Catie Munnings to take 40th overall in the 2018 Cyprus Rally in a Peugeot 208 R2.
“Mathieu was not able to come to Oman, so Alba has stepped in at the 11th hour,” said Autotek Motorsport’s Ken Skidmore. “We met her in Spain, where she co-drives as part of the official Hyundai team.”
Standing in Al-Attiyah’s way are the formidable Omani duo of Abdullah Al-Rawahi and Hamed Al-Wahaibi in a pair of Škoda Fabia Evos, the Qatari’s cousin Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (Ford Fiesta) and the Czech dark horse and MERC debutant Petr Kačirek in a third Škoda Fabia.
“The stages are quite technical,” said Al-Rawahi, after Tuesday’s recce session. “We made sure that our notes are quite precise and as detailed as possible. We have done these stages before, so we are quite ready for the first day of the rally. Day two is quite different from the first day. I think we are happy. Hopefully this weekend we will come strong and try and give our best.”
Al-Wahaibi carried out three days of pre-event testing before the rally and is relishing the start after an impressive performance that saw him finish fourth overall and take a class win at the Oregon Trail Rally in America in early November.
“The new Evo is brilliant and easier to drive,” said Al-Wahaibi. “We’ve spent three days getting the driving style working. We spent some time with the diffs and the suspension and it all went well. We tested in the Hatat region where my ancestors are from. We tested in three different villages and one of them is where I am from. So we had lots of spectators in the mountains and some family and tribes from our region.
“The first day of recce went very well. The stages are really good. They need a bit more cleaning, a few rocks, but really good. Some roughness, but it is a Middle East rally and has to have that. That’s the character. I’m excited and looking forward to a good rally.”
With the quintet of R5 cars sure to dominate over the fast and flowing gravel special stages that have drawn praise across the world, there will be a separate tussle for honours in the MERC2 category for showroom production-type machines.
Four Omani and two Jordanian drivers will take part:. Zakariya Al-Aamri, Faisal Al-Rashdi and Jarah Al-Touqi lead the way for the host nation in a trio of Subaru Imprezas. Joining them on the entry are the Jordanian duo of Ihab Al-Shorafa and Issa Abu Jamous in Mitsubishi Lancers.
Five crews will also tackle a national status event behind the main FIA rally.
The bulk of the competitive action takes place over 12 timed special stages on Friday and Saturday before the ceremonial finish and post-event press conference also move to Nakhal from 15.25hrs onwards on Saturday afternoon.
2022 Oman Rally Sohar International – leading entries (unofficial):
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Alba Sánchez González (ESP) Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
2. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R5
3. Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMN)/Tony Sircombe (NZL) Škoda Fabia R5
4. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Ford Fiesta R5
5. Petr Kačirek (CZE)/Václav Kopáček (CZE) Škoda Fabia R5
6. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) Subaru Impreza
7. Faisal Al-Rashdi (OMN)/Waleed Al-Rashdi (OMN) Subaru Impreza
8. Jarah Al-Touqi (OMN)/Issa Al-Wardi (OMN) Subaru Impreza
10. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
12. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2022 Oman National Sohar Rally – leading entries (unofficial):
20. Haitham Soomar (OMN)/Wael Al-Shabani (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII
21. Ghaith Al-Qassimi (OMN)/TBA Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII
22. Haitham Al-Hadidi (OMN)/Saif Al-Hinai (OMN) Toyota Yaris
23. Musab Soomar (OMN)/Bassam Al-Qassimi (OMN) Kia Rio
24. Alain Nawfal (LEB)/Bashar Al-Qassimi (OMN) Yamaha YXZ 1000 R
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FMSCI statement: Rally de Vizag, INRC 4w season
As expected, the Federation of Motors Sports Clubs of India (fmsci) released a Statement on the INRC 4w 2021 fiasco as the season failed to take off. However, it absolves itself and appears to have blamed only the Promoter for all the ills and the circumstances leaving the Drivers in the lurch. However, it has to be seen how much money would the Clubs receive to host the remaining three rounds.
It is also clear that the privateers, drivers and teams, will not get any compensation as expected and demanded by the Promoter. Only solace for the Factory team drivers, as JK Tyre is likely to compensate the 8 or 9 drivers who are in Yellow colours. With not many in the Red colours, virtually all the other 45 will have to fend for themselves.
