Doha: Shiraz Rally, Iran - a candidate for inclusion in the regional FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) from next season - kicked off from the front of the historical Quran Gate in Shiraz on Wednesday evening.
Following an overnight service in the parc ferme the competitive stages will run over two days and will end today. Competitors will tackle a total of 235km over the two days.
Iran is one of three countries selected by the FIA to host candidate events this year, with the UAE scheduled to host its event from October 16-17 while Oman is yet to announce its dates. With the expected confirmation of these countries on the MERC’s 2015 calendar, the regional series will expand to nine rounds from next year.
Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus and Dubai already host a round of the regional series. With Abu Dhabi’s inclusion from next year, the UAE will have the sole distinction of hosting two rounds of the regional series, with a provisional date for April 9 already included on the calendar.
Among those who witnessed the Shiraz Rally was FIA Vice-President Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Attiyah and a number of FIA officials and the officials of the Iran Motor Sport Club.
Some of the top Arab and Gulf champion drivers are taking in the event including Lebanese driver Abdo Feghali, Qatar’s Khalifa bin Saleh Al Attiyah. “Shiraz Rally is an important stop on the agenda of Middle East Championship for Rallies and a new addition to the future of the championship, since Shiraz is distinguished by the geographical diversity compered to other rounds of the championship, said Al Attiyah, while congratulating the role of Iran Motor Sport Club in organising the event.
The Peninsula
