Muscat: The 28th edition of the Oman International Rally, which marks the opening round of the 2025 Middle East Rally Championship, has officially begun in the Wilayat of Sohar, situated in the North Al Batinah Governorate. The event kicked off with an impressive exhibition stage and was inaugurated by His Excellency Mohammed bin Suleiman Al Kindi, the Governor of North Al Batinah. Before the rally commenced, a press conference was held where competitors from various nations discussed their perspectives on the Oman Rally, the demanding race routes, and the event's importance in the rallying community.
This year's rally features 24 competitors from 10 different countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Ireland, France, Portugal, and India, showcasing its international significance. Brigadier General Jamal bin Said Al Tai, Vice Chairman of the Oman Automobile Association, highlighted the Oman International Rally's role in the global rally calendar, noting that Sohar is the starting point for this edition. Over three days, the rally will navigate a variety of terrains throughout the North Al Batinah Governorate, offering a challenging and thrilling experience for the drivers.
The inaugural special exhibition stage, a 2.52 km sprint, commenced at the Sohar Entertainment Center. Organizer vehicles led the way, signaling the start of the race and directing participants to the service area. This initial stage wrapped up the first segment of the competition, with the second segment set to begin on Friday. On the second day of the rally, the first car will leave the closed park to access the service area next to the Sohar Entertainment Center, before continuing along Al Batinah Club Road and connecting to the expressway towards the Shinas - Al Rasees Truck Rest Area.
The second and fifth special speed stages, which span 23.56 km (Al Rasees – Dhubain), will take place next. Following these, the third and sixth special speed stages will cover a distance of 19.45 km (Al Rassah - Al Arja), while the fourth and seventh special speed stages will extend over 13.94 km (Al Owainah - Wadi Al Jizi). The rally's final day, Saturday, will commence at 8:00 AM, with the first vehicle departing from the closed park to the service area located near the Sohar Entertainment Center, before proceeding to the Wilayat of Liwa. The day's initial challenges will include the eighth and eleventh special speed stages, which cover 25.20 km (Al Aqaq - Yanbu). The event will wrap up with the ninth and twelfth special speed stages, measuring 13.45 km (Yanbu - Wadi Al Jizi), followed by the tenth and thirteenth special speed stages, which span 19.32 km (Musyal Al Sidr - Malihah), culminating in an awards ceremony for the winners later that afternoon.
