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Category: WRC, Rally
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Sensational Mads Ostberg leads Qatar rally after Day 1
LOSAIL (Qatar), 11 Feb 2022: Norwegian driver Mads Østberg delivered a stunning performance on his first appearance at the Qatar International Rally to open up a 12.2-second lead after six gravel special stages on Friday.
Competing in the southern Gulf region and the State of Qatar for the first time, the Škoda Fabia R2 evo driver belied his lack of experience and teamed up effortlessly with Austrian co-driver Ilka Minor for the first time to win four of the day’s six stages.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Østberg. “This is a brand new experience for me. I felt more and more comfortable through the day. I guess the approach we have had has been quite correct. It’s not been easy and, for me, the more difficult part starts tomorrow when we open the road. We discussed if we should play some tactics and we decided not to. We are here to learn and we might as well learn by opening the desert. I have been lucky enough not to have any issues today but I am not saying anything until I am at the end.”
Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah is bidding for a 16th win on home gravel but faces his stiffest ever test on Saturday. He and French co-driver Mathieu Baumel delivered a solid performance without problems to hold second overall.
“This will be good for us for tomorrow with Mads opening the road,” said Al-Attiyah. “We can push. It’s important that we finished today without any problems. We are quite happy. Kris (Meeke) will have a good line tomorrow. He has nothing to lose and will push. For me, it is important to win and score maximum points for the championship.”
Andorra-based Ulsterman Kris Meeke showed a formidable turn of speed to win the first two stages and lead after the opening loop. But an unfortunate roll at the start of SS4 dented his chances. Meeke and co-driver Chris Patterson recovered well to finish the leg in fifth overall.
The former WRC star said: “First hairpin right of the stage. It was a junction and I came in, hand braked it in and I just caught the rut. I thought I had it, balanced it on two wheels but, unfortunately, it went over. We had to wait for spectators to push us back and I had to get out of the car. The car is fine. We’ll hang in there. You never know. Punctures on this rally can happen. Two fastest times today. It’s been enjoyable. It’s just a pity….a silly hairpin right. It’s nice out there. We will continue.”
Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari and Australian co-driver Dale Moscatt benefited from Meeke’s problems and rounded off the podium places in their Škoda. The 2012 event winner said: “Good, second loop was better. We are trying our best but it is not easy and we are far away from not driving for a long time. But we are happy.”
Khaled Al-Suwaidi and Hugo Magalhães were classified in fourth place and Oman’s Abdullah Al-Rawahi delivered a measured performance to hold sixth in his Škoda.
Al-Rawahi said: “Quite happy, We are not quite used to stages which are fast. It was quite tricky in the first run. But we are getting used to it and we are getting used to the car as well. It is a new car for me. Tomorrow is another day. I think it will be even more tough than today. It is more rough, so we see how it goes.”
Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri was the class of the MERC2 field in his seventh-placed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. The multiple winner of the showroom category won all six stages to take a lead of 4min 53.2sec over Oman’s Zakariya Al-Aamri into the night halt.
MERC2 series leader Ihab Al-Shorafa and fellow Jordanian Issa Abu Jamous rounded off the top 10 and held third and fourth in MERC2. Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Attiyah held 11th and Edith Weiss celebrated 30 years of participating in the event in 12th.
Hamed Al-Wahaibi’s rally ended prematurely after he left the track at speed, clouted the front of the Fabia and sustained radiator and engine damage. The Omani said: “I lost the road about four times. The first time I lost it over a jump, I went straight. I couldn’t see it. I hit a bump and we damaged the radiator and we continued and lost the road again. We didn’t have a warning to the end of the stage. We were leaking, leaking, leaking. That’s what happened. I guess it’s not meant to be. Maybe I need more cautious recce and notes.”
All three entrants in the Qatar National Rally suffered their own varied issues on the first loop of stages, but Ahmed Allouh and Henry Kahy were permitted to tackle the afternoon’s action.
Friday – as it happened
Two loops of three stages were on the agenda for the opening leg, starting with the short 8.89km Eraida stage.
After all the pre-event publicity and hype it was down to the serious business of delivering competitive stage times: Al-Attiyah opened his account with a run of 4min 49.4sec and an average speed of 110.6km/h, but an inspired Meeke shaved 4.8 seconds off that run by the Qatari. Østberg also edged in front of the Qatari and finished the special 1.3 seconds adrift of the flying Ulsterman. It was a positive start for the visiting WRC duo, as Al-Kuwari settled into fourth.
Only six of the eight RC2 cars escaped without drama. Hamed Al-Wahaibi left the track and clouted the front of the car and Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya struck a metal fence pole on the track and that became entangled around the front of the car and penetrated the engine bay. He managed to finish the stage with the loss of over a minute, but stopped on the road section after the special. Al-Thefiri cruised into a 49.9-second lead in MERC2, but Lebanon’s Henry Kahy retired from the National Rally with no turbo boost on his Can-Am.
The longer Al-Thakira stage (20.15km) followed and Meeke attacked again. He extended his lead over Al-Attiyah to 11.8 seconds, although the Qatari squeezed 1.2 seconds out of Østberg and remained in third place.
Al-Attiyah completed the loop with a time of 8min 16.8sec through Al-Khor but he was third quickest, with Østberg claiming the stage win by 2.6 seconds from Meeke. The second fastest time enabled the Ulsterman to take a 9.2-second advantage over his former team-mate into the Losail regroup. Al-Attiyah was 14.6 seconds off the lead.
The Qatari said: “I think we need to check the tracking system for the first three stages. I am sure some drivers are doing a different line. I am going really very fast. We know the level is very high between the three drivers but, just to be sure you know. To open the road, flat out, is not easy. We know where we lose. To open now, the second loop, should be better for us. No punctures, so we are happy.”
Meeke said: “Okay, the first two stages I knew a little bit from last year. They were the only two stages I had done and I had an on-board video, so I was able to see. That’s the only thing I had to watch and prepare for this year. In the third stage, I didn’t really have an idea and I didn’t drive that one last year. Look, it’s the first loop of stages and there is a long way to go. Honestly, there were a few times this morning where I got a bit disorientated and a bit lost in the stage in fifth gear. It’s still a huge challenge. You are in the desert, so everything looks the same. We have done the best job we could this morning, but Mads is also doing very well. I’m enjoying it.”
Østberg added: “I had no idea what to expect during the stages. All of them felt quite similar to me. One I am missing 12 seconds and the next one I am winning. It feels a bit strange but I am enjoying it to be honest. We just try to hang on and find a way. I was only lost twice so that’s not bad. I guess the second loop will be a lot of the same but maybe the second loop mighty me more difficult with everyone taking different lines. Even the cars in the front of me are following different lines. I just have to follow what I did on the recce. That’s all I can do.”
Al-Kuwari said: “We lost the road after the start of SS2. I lost eight or 10 seconds and then I came back to the road. Otherwise, everything was good. The tyres are working good. There are a lot of cuts in front of us. I cannot see who. But there are three cars in front of me and I can see some big cuts.”
Khalid Al-Suwaidi held fifth. He said: “I have a good start. But the soft tyre is very soft and the car is more moving. I think the next loop we will used hard tyre. I think it’s better for me. I try to push but I miss two corners in the third stage and second stage is difficult at the start. You cannot see the road. But the Qatar Rally is very difficult. We wanted to see what happened on the first three stages and we can push later.”
Al-Thefiri held a comfortable 2min 34.6sec cushion over Al-Aamri in the MERC2 battle, as the leaders left Losail and headed out to repeat the morning’s three stages.
Meeke dug into a section of soft sand and rolled his Fabia a short distance into the rerun of the Eraida stage, haemorrhaged 1min 27.9sec to Al-Attiyah and slipped down to fifth. Østberg was quickest again, shaving 1.1 seconds off his morning’s run. He moved into the outright lead and increased his advantage over Al-Attiyah to 6.6 seconds, as Al-Kuwari moved up to third overall.
Al-Attiyah was 5.5 seconds faster on his second run through Al-Thakira, but the previous stage roll had not affected Meeke and he continued with minimal damage to the Fabia to beat the Qatari by 1.4 seconds. Østberg was again quickest and his lead over the defending champion grew to 9.3 seconds.
The Qatari averaged 118 km/h through the last stage of the day but he still ceded 1.2 seconds to Meeke and 2.9 to the rally leader. Østberg duly returned to Losail with an overnight lead of 12.2 seconds.
Saturday
Tomorrow, teams tackle a further two loops of three graded gravel stages in the north of Qatar. Action gets underway with the 14.50km Al-Waab stage between Al-Mashrab and Umm Al-Qahab from 08.53hrs. The longer Umm Birka (24.54km) stage follows at 09.28hrs and precedes a 21.33km at Ras Laffan from 10.20hrs.
Competitors then return to the Losail Circuit for a regroup and service before the three specials are repeated at 13.03hrs, 13.38hrs and 14.30hrs. The post-event press conference and podium ceremony will then take place from 18.20hrs onwards.
2022 Qatar International Rally – positions after SS6 (unofficial):
1. Mads Østberg (HUN)/Ilka Minor (AUT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 46min 08.5sec
2. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mathieu Baumel (AND) Volkswagen Polo GTI 46min 20.7sec
3. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Dale Moscatt (AUS) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 47min 14.6sec
4. Khaled Al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Hugo Magalhães (PRT) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 47min 25.8sec
5. Kris Meeke (AND)/Chris Patterson (IRL) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 47min 31.4sec
6. Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R2 evo 48min 19.4sec
7. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 54min 05.1sec
8. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN)/Mohammed Al-Aamri (OMN) Subaru Impreza 58min 58.3sec
9. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 03min 27sec
10. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1hr 05min 56.1sec
11. Mohammed Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Savvas Laos (CYP) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 08min 31.8sec
12. Edith Weiss (QAT)/Serena Mattivi (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 1hr 08min 44.2sec
(note: entry nationalities determined by competition licence as per regulations)
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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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WRC: Sebastian Loeb claims his 8th Monte Carlo win in dramatic battle with Ogier
Monte Carlo, 23 Jan 2022: Sébastien Loeb became the oldest winner of an FIA World Rally Championship round after grabbing a remarkable Rallye Monte-Carlo victory from the under the nose of old foe Sébastien Ogier on Sunday.
The 47-year-old Frenchman trailed Ogier by almost half a minute heading into the penultimate speed test of the four-day event in the French Alps.
But when Ogier received a ten-second jump start penalty and limped to the finish with a front left puncture, Loeb reclaimed a lead he had conceded to his compatriot on Saturday. He stayed calm through the final test to seal his eighth Monte-Carlo success in a Ford Puma by 10.5s.
Starting his first WRC event for more than a year, the nine-time World Rally Champion was competing for the British M-Sport Ford squad in a one-off appearance. He joins Ogier at the top of the Monte-Carlo roll of honour with eight wins.
His victory means he has topped the WRC podium in three different decades. Co-driver Isabelle Galmiche, a 50-year-old math teacher who was making her first top-tier start, became the first female winner of a WRC fixture since 1997.
“I didn’t expect so much when I came here,” Loeb admitted. “It was a great fight, Ogier was really fast and I struggled a bit yesterday and even this morning.”
The duel between the most successful drivers in the sport’s history proved a fitting start to the new hybrid-powered era in the championship’s 50th season.
Ogier led initially after Thursday’s short opening night in his Toyota GR Yaris but a run of four consecutive fastest times on Friday put Loeb ahead. He failed to find the same pace on Saturday and Ogier moved back in front before Sunday’s breath-taking finale.
Craig Breen finished almost 90sec further back in third in another Puma, giving the British-based M-Sport Ford squad an early lead in the manufacturers’ championship.
Kalle Rovanperä languished outside the top 10 after the opening night, but after set-up changes improved the balance of his GR Yaris, he soared up the order to secure fourth.
Despite losing time with engine issues on Saturday, Gus Greensmith claimed fifth in another Puma after winning his first special stage at WRC level. Thierry Neuville was sixth in a Hyundai i20 N after a lacklustre weekend for the Korean manufacturer.
The Belgian fought problems all rally, including a broken damper which punched through his bonnet on Saturday. Team-mates Ott Tänak and Oliver Solberg both retired.
Elfyn Evans, championship runner-up in 2021, was on the edge of the fight for victory until he beached his GR Yaris on a bank and remained stranded there for 20 minutes. The Welshman ended 21st.
Andreas Mikkelsen and co-driver Torstein Eriksen got the defence of their FIA WRC2 titles off to the best possible start with victory in their Toksport WRT Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. Yacco ACCR Team’s Erik Cais finished second in a Ford Fiesta MkII with Toksport’s Nikolay Gryazin recovering from early delays to complete the provisional podium in a Toksport-entered Škoda Fabia Evo.
Sami Pajari, with Enni Mälkönen co-driving, marked the start of the new-look FIA WRC3 category, which is now for Rally3 cars, in style by beating Jan Černý to the class laurels with a mere 7.6s in hand. Enrico Brazzoli rounded out the top three with all drivers competing in Ford Fiesta Rally3s.
Raphaël Astier headed Manu Guigou and François Delecar in an Alpine A110 clean sweep of the FIA RGT Cup.
The full unofficial results can be consulted here.
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Sebastien Loeb takes lead: WRC Rallye Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo, 21 Jan 2022: Sébastien Loeb became the oldest driver to lead an FIA World Rally Championship round after a sensational return to dominate Rallye Monte-Carlo on Friday.
As he approaches his 48th birthday, the Frenchman won four of the six French Alps speed tests to lead the first rally of the WRC’s innovative new hybrid era by 9.9sec in M-Sport Ford’s Puma.
The Monaco-based event is Loeb’s first WRC outing for more than a year and, currently, a one-off appearance with the British squad.
Loeb was second after Thursday night’s short opening leg behind old foe Sébastien Ogier. He charged by his fellow countryman in the last of the morning’s three special stages and preserved his advantage in the afternoon, despite a small technical issue.
“The first four stages were really great then we had a little hybrid problem,” he explained. “In the last stage I made a good drive, but maybe it was freezing a bit more. We had some little ice coming out at the end of the stage, so it was a bit tricky.
“I was really surprised when I was doing the best time in yesterday’s shakedown in the first pass. Usually in shakedown I’m not great but with this car I was immediately in the rhythm. It’s not a big gap but I’m happy to be leading after the first full day.”
Ogier dropped to third behind Toyota GR Yaris team-mate Elfyn Evans after a cautious approach on frosty roads in this morning’s final stage. But fastest time on the afternoon repeat promoted him back to second.
A wary run in the same test cost Evans valuable seconds. The Welshman ended 12.1sec adrift of his colleague after a frustrating day learning the intricacies of driving with the hybrid system for the first time in competition.
Thierry Neuville topped an intense battle for fourth in a Hyundai i20 N. His day improved after an eye-opening first stage in which he described the balance as ‘a nightmare’. “I’ve never been so scared while driving,” he said.
The Belgian stiffened his car’s settings and ended 8.9sec clear of team-mate Ott Tänak, with Craig Breen dropping 2.5sec behind the Estonian in the final stage in another Puma.
Team-mate Gus Greensmith celebrated his first WRC stage win en route to seventh. But for a minor problem with the hybrid system, the Briton would have been snapping on Neuville’s heels.
Takamoto Katsuta, Kalle Rovanperä and Oliver Solberg completed the leaderboard. A spin and smoke seeping into his i20 N’s cockpit delayed Solberg.
Adrien Fourmaux was fourth overnight but the Frenchman crashed his Puma down a ravine in the opening test. He and co-driver Alex Coria escaped injury, a testament to the new enhanced safety cell chassis introduced this year.
In FIA WRC2, Stéphane Lefebvre scored a slender lead after a late Friday push. The DG Sport Competition driver started the day 24.5sec adrift of Saintéloc’s Eric Camilli’s similar Citroën C3 Rally2 car, but moved to second behind Andreas Mikkelsen (Toksport Škoda Fabia Evo) when the early leader retired after going off the road and damaging his front suspension.
The former Citroën factory driver hacked a massive 14.5sec from Mikkelsen’s advantage during the first pass of Val-de-Chavagne / Entrevaux before going another 8.0sec quicker than his rival when it was repeated as the final stage.
The last-minute charge enabled Lefebvre to move in front and he arrived back to the Monaco service park 8.0sec ahead of Mikkelsen.
In FIA WRC3, Jan Černý kept his cool under increasing pressure from Sami Pajari to retain the class lead.
The Czech driver initially led the field of M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars by 21.2sec after winning both Thursday’s night stages but was much less dominant in the daylight.
Flying Finn Pajari set fastest times on all bar two of Friday’s frosty tests and at one point reduced the deficit to 14.8sec. However, a slow time at the final Val-de-Chavagne / Entrevaux blast undid his hard work and he ended 26.7sec off the pace.
Monte-Carlo stalwart Enrico Brazzoli ended another 11min 7.5sec behind, followed by Hungarian pilot Zoltán László who trailed the leaders by 11min 48.5sec
Saturday’s action switches west for five stages near Digne-les-Bains. Three morning tests precede a tyre change in the town before the latter two are repeated. The day features two climbs of the mythical Col de Fontbelle, likely to feature several kilometres of snow and ice at the summit.
The provisional results can be consulted here.
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Hybrid Rally1 era begins with Monte Carlo rally
Monte Carlo, 14 Jan 2022: Heralding the advent of a new and sustainable era, the Rally1 regulations are the product of extensive work by the FIA departments in partnership with the competing manufacturers Hyundai, M-Sport (Ford) and Toyota.
Together they aligned to deliver a category that maintains spectacular performance, further enhances safety, while focusing firmly on the environment. In addition to the plug-in hybrid unit, which is mated to the existing 1.6-litre turbocharged internal combustion engine, Rally1 cars run on 100 per cent fossil-free fuel.
The hybrid kit includes a 100kW electric motor fitted to a 3.9kWh battery and can lift combined performance levels to more than 500hp. Significantly, however, Rally1 cars are designed to run on electric mode only, which they will be required to do in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) zones located close to event service parks.
Rallye Monte-Carlo is the first of 13 WRC rounds in three continents between January and November. First held in 1911, the event is regarded as one of the most challenging on the calendar due to the likelihood of fluctuating grip levels and changeable weather. They put a huge onus on the choice of Pirelli tyres as drivers and their teams attempt to select the most suitable tyres for the conditions.
The start of the WRC’s half-century celebrations on the 90th edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo is marked by the major advances governing body the FIA has made in rallying both in terms of sustainable technology and safety. The plug-in hybrid-powered Rally1 cars have raised performance levels while reducing harmful emissions. Aligned with significant safety innovations – the result of months of intensive research and development – the FIA is overseeing a period of wide-reaching change that is pivotal to strengthening the sport, its appeal and importance into the future
THE 2022 ENTRY
A capacity entry of seventy-five cars, including 11 Rally1 cars, are entered for Rallye Monte-Carlo. Reigning FIA WRC champion Sébastien Ogier heads the list in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 as he bids for his record-extending ninth victory in the principality and his first with new co-driver Benjamin Veillas.
Sébastien Loeb, the eight-time Monte-Carlo winner and nine-time world champion, returns to the WRC in an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 co-driven by Isabelle Galmiche. Both Ogier and Loeb are planning selected appearances in 2022, with Rallye Monte-Carlo a rare opportunity to see them both in action. Like the illustrious Frenchmen, Hyundai i20 N Rally1 driver Thierry Neuville is also a former Monte-Carlo winner, while Ott Tänak completes the list of FIA WRC champions past and present in action.
In addition to Loeb, the M-Sport line-up includes Craig Breen, Adrien Fourmaux and Gus Greensmith, while Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanperä join Ogier at Toyota Gazoo Racing. Rallye Monte-Carlo marks Oliver Solberg’s first event as part of Hyundai’s full factory effort.
THE SUPPORTING CATEGORIES
FIA WRC2 for Rally2 cars has been restructured for 2022 and features separate classifications for Teams, Drivers, Co-Drivers, plus Junior’s. The Masters Cup includes awards for the best Driver and Co-Driver.
Andreas Mikkelsen begins the defence of his FIA WRC2 Drivers’ title with new recruit Torstein Eriksen, who won the WRC2 Co-Drivers’ title in 2021 alongside Mads Østberg. Yohan Rossel steps up as the WRC3 champion from last season, while Eric Camilli and Nikolai Gryazin have both won WRC2 events in the past.
Gryazin is also eligible for the WRC2 Junior title with opposition coming from Marco Bulacia and Gryazin’s fellow FIA European Rally Championship graduates Erik Cais, Grégoire Munster and Chris Ingram, the 2019 ERC champion. Former factory WRC driver Freddy Loix is also in contention for overall WRC2 points along with 19 rivals.
Sami Pajari, the 2021 FIA Junior WRC champion, will go up against Enrico Brazzoli and Jan Černý in FIA WRC3, which is exclusively for Rally3 cars from this season, in line with the FIA Rally Sporting Pyramid.
Rallye Monte-Carlo is also the opening round of the 2022 FIA R-GT Cup. Emmanuel Guigou, last season’s runner-up, heads an eight-car entry which also features French legend François Delecour, who won Rallye Monte-Carlo outright in 1994. Both drive Alpine’s A110 R-GT.
THE 2022 ROUTE
Based entirely in Monaco for the first time since 2006 following stints based in Valence and Gap, the 90th Rallye Monte-Carlo features three days of reconnaissance from January 17-19, when crews will sample a route of 296.03 kilometres that’s 95 per cent new compared to 2021.
Shakedown follows from 09:31 hrs local time on January 20 and provides the first opportunity for the respective performances of the Rally1 cars to be checked against the clock. A renovated Casino Square then hosts the traditional ceremonial start from 18:45 hrs on January 20 before the action begins for real with two night stages – Lucéram / Lantosque and La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet – in the Alpes-Maritimes. La Bollène-Vésubie / Moulinet is the rally’s longest stage at 23.25 kilometres.
Crews head back to the Alpes-Maritimes on Friday January 21 for two loops of three stages, either side of a tyre fitting zone in Puget-Théniers, totalling 97.86 timed kilometres. The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence hosts Saturday’s 92.46 kilometres of competitive action. Following the single-pass Le Fugeret / Thorame-Haute stage, there are two passes of Saint Jeannet / Malijai and Saint-Geniez / Thoard, separated by a tyre fitting zone in Digne-les-Bains.
It’s off to the north-west of Alpes-Maritimes on Sunday for the final 67.26 kilometres of competitive running and two repeated stages, the new La Penne / Collongues, plus Briançonnet / Entrevaux, which counts as the Power Stage when it’s repeated from 12:18 hrs CET. The Casino Square hosts the prize-giving ceremony from 16:00 hrs.
FOCUS ON SAFETY
By introducing hybrid technology in the WRC, the FIA has implemented a number of safety measures, such as requiring the hybrid components to be contained in a reinforced safety structure.
Rally1 cars are identifiable by an ‘HY’ graphic on the side door panels. Safety lights on the windscreen and both side pillars will be green when the car is safe to touch. A flashing red light with an audible warning means a car is unsafe to touch. An awareness campaign on social media has also been launched and highlights the precautions spectators and safety crews must take in the event of an accident due to the high-voltage electrical current they can generate.
All Rally1 cars must carry two pairs of Class-0 gloves capable of withstanding 1000 volts that can be easily accessible for the driver and co-driver when vacating their car. This will enable both crew members to provide valuable assistance in the event of a high voltage issue affecting either their car or the car of a competitor. Crews and volunteer officials have also received essential training.
RALLY DATA
Total distance: 1511.47 km Stage distance: 296.03 km (19.59%) Number of stages: 17 -
Harith Noah successfully completes the 19-km Prologue in 35th overall
Jeddah, 1 Jan 2022: Sherco TVS Rally Factory team professional and international cross-country rider Harith Noah from India, began his Dakar 2022 sojourn on a successful note completing the gruelling transport section of over 590km of sandy terrain and rode on a cautious note with controlled aggression. The five-time Indian National champion with complete focus on navigation, finished a conservative 35th Overall from the 19-km Prologue on the New Year’s Day on Saturday but the plan is to preserve and finish, his third Dakar.
“Everything went well and the goal is finish without much fuss and we did exactly that. Now that we have a footing on the actual terrain, the 333-km Day 2 will is the immediate target,” said Harith Noah, back at his Bivouac, in Hail. The mountainous landscapes of Northern Saudi Arabia contribute to the contrasts of Dakar route. Sand is already on the menu, for now, in the shape of tracks. Be warned that this special is riddled with the fiendish navigation puzzles, typical of the country. And thus, the caution of Noah. Riders depend on their road books and memory. For cars, the focus will be on navigators, or co-drivers as they are called, as any competitors who try to take short cuts will be immediately slapped with time penalties.
However, the Kerala rider from India, is keen on putting the right foot forward, as he managed to finish the course for Day 1, clocking 1 hour, 7 minutes, 15 seconds taking 11 min, 45 seconds more than Daniel Sanders of Australia, who topped the Opening special section on Saturday covering a total distance of 614km amidst the sand dunes of Saudi Arabia.
Harith Noah, supported by TVS Racing, astride a Sherco 450 SEF Rally machine, is sponsored by TVS, Sherco, Scott India and CamelBak India, began on a positive note and will be gunning for a steady ride on Sunday, the second day of the gruelling Dakar, which will have Stage 1b from Hai’l to Ha’il, a 181km liaison distance (transport section) and 333km of actual Special Section stage on tough sands, the first longest test that will prepare the riders and drivers for tougher things to come.
The 409 vehicles on the start list inaugurated the Dakar like never before. After departing Jeddah along the Red Sea for a northbound 225 km transfer, the starting shot for the qualifying stage was fired at the entrance to the Medina region. The opening 19 km sprint was a sign of things to come: sandy tracks and dunes in an all-sand timed sector in which the entrants crowned and gobbled up dunes, sometimes even broken ones, and climbed to an altitude of close to 400 masl. On this power hike, competitors were expected to bring their A game from the beginning, much like young biker Daniel Sanders (see Stat of the day) and the evergreen Nasser Al-Attiyah, primed for victory by a bountiful 2021 season. The caravan then headed north-east for a 614 km liaison to Ha’il, where the grand start podium awaited the participants for tomorrow’s stage 1B on a loop course.
Harith Noah in Saudi Arabia for his 3rd Dakar successfully completes SS 1A in 36th Daniel Sanders, who claimed top rookie honours and finished just outside the podium last year, grabbed his maiden Dakar stage win in the opener. It was a first in more than one way, as the Australian also netted GasGas its first triumph in the most prestigious rally raid on Earth. As the icing on the cake, it was the first victory for the KTM 450, the latest showpiece of the Mattighofen factory, unveiled in Morocco last year. Spain’s GasGas is the 13th constructor to take a stage in the Dakar motorbike race. The rally had not feted a new winner since 2010, when Shercoand Aprilia opened their accounts. Let us see, if Sherco can throw a winner in the bike category.
AL-ATTIYAH VS LOEB
The newly elected FIA President, Mohammed bin Sulayem, travelled to Ha’il to witness the awarding of the very first FIA Cross-Country World Championship points. The Emirati former driver must have been delighted to see his heir take the lead at this momentous time. Not that Nasser Al-Attiyah is looking forward to an office with a commanding view of the Place de la Concorde in Paris! He is bin Sulayem’s successor in the sense that the Toyota driver has won the Middle East Rally Championship 11 times between 2003 and 2021, the same race that bin Sulayem won on almost every occasion from 1986 to 2002, with 14 titles in total. The game is on, but Al-Attiyah is currently focused on his incipient struggle with Sébastien Loeb.
NOTE: Noah position changed from 36th to 35th after it was upgraded officially.
