Qatar’s rally superstar Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah’s fifth Dakar Rally crown has made the nation proud. With his second successive title in Saudi Arabia last week, the 52-year-old became the second most successful driver in history of Dakar Rally. The multi-talented star, who is also an Olympic medalist in skeet shooting, is eyeing to break of record of eight Dakar titles held by French Stephane Peterhansel, who is also known as “Mr Dakar”. Having won the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) a record 18 times, Al Attiyah has made the task look possible with his determination and hunger for more success.
Al Attiyah is an inspiration for his country’s sportspersons particularly the youngsters who are associated with motorsports. Having the hero like Al Attiyah and the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), which has set a long-term plan for sport uplift, the country is witnessing a sharp rise in the field.
On the day when Al Attiyah lifted his Dakar crown, Qatar’s QMMF by HRT Thuraya came second in the 992 AM class of the Hankook 2022/2023 in Dubai endurance race. Thuraya made it a double by finishing runner-up again with an impressive performance in the Abu Dhabi race – a six-hour endurance test last night. Yesterday’s event was the is the second round of the 24-Hour Series and also the third round of the Middle East Endurance championship, following stops in Kuwait (12 hours) and the Dubai (24 hours) endurance races. “It is part of a long-term plan for the QMMF to move motorsports from what was perceived as an individual sport to a group sport or a team sport. Now the drivers can work together,” QMMF Executive Director Amro Al Hamad said in a statement. It may be recalled that QMMF announced a six-year contract for a new endurance race last month, which will see Qatar staging the inaugural 6 Hours of Qatar set to take place in 2024 at the iconic Lusail International Circuit (LIC).
With the entry of top-notch endurance race, Qatar will consolidate its position as centre of motorsports being already a part of MotoGP and Formula One calendars.
LIC will start hosting the top-notch action soon after undergoing massive renovation. QMMF has promised the venue will deliver a world-class experience during the MotoGP and Formula One races besides the Endurance Championship which will come to Qatar in 2024 as the country will remain part of the championship until 2029.
Operational since 2004 when it hosted the inaugural MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar, LIC has been a hub of motorsport activities in the country also hosting night races. The circuit is part of Formula One calendar for 10 years starting this year, after hosting the F1 race for first time in 2021.
