The 'tricky' desert terrain at the six-day Qatar Cross-Country Rally will pose difficult questions for the world's best drivers and riders, a top official motor sport official said yesterday.
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has confirmed a strong field for the fourth round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country and round 2 of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship that will take place from April 17-22.
The quality field in Qatar includes 33 cars, 14 motorcycles and six quads, with competitors from 26 nations featuring at the high profile event.
The defending FIA World Cup champion and two-time Dakar winner Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah of Qatar will lead the show later this week. Russian Vladimir Vasilyev, Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi, Poland’s Jakub
Przygonski and Qatar’s Mohammed Abu Issa will be Al Attiyah's main challengers.
Eight of the world’s leading off-road riders will also be present in Qatar. The Red Bull KTM Factory Team will field Dakar winner and FIM series leader Sam Sunderland, Austria’s Matthias Walkner and Frenchman Antoine Meo, according to the list released by QMMF.
QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai said the drivers and riders competing in Qatar will be thoroughly tested on the route measuring 1,994.17km.
"It is one of the toughest races on the (Cross-Country) calendar because of the tricky terrain. The terrain changes to rocky to sandy to dunes. This leg is not for everybody. This race is for the best of the best drivers
and riders around the world," Al Mannai said.
Excerpts from a chat with the QMMF President:
Q: Please tell us something about the Qatar Cross-Country Rally.
A: It's a major event - Qatar Cross-Country Rally. It's the second biggest event on our calendar. The first was MotoGP (held last month) in terms of coverage and preparation from our side. It is a very important race because it is part of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies.
Q: We've heard that QMMF has added a super special stage this year.
A: This year we want to do things differently. We have planned a super special stage which will be held at Losail Circuit. We have changed stages to accommodate that. It is one of the toughest races on the (Cross-Country) calendar because of the terrain. The terrain changes to rocky to sandy to dunes. This leg is not for everybody. This race is for the best of the best drivers and riders around the world. This event is for the top professionals.
Q: How do you feel about the field of drivers and riders this year?
A: This year the list (of participants) looks very good and I am very happy about it. We have several big entries and it is the same for the bike class. We have more bikes this year. We are excited about the challenge. Everybody is invited to come for the super special stage on day one.
Q: Could we call the route for the Qatar Cross-Country Rally is what we see at Dakar Rally?
A: I don't want to exaggerate when I say that the feedback we get is pretty interesting - a lot of participants who have raced here tell us this is tougher. I know that sounds odd. At Dakar Rally, they have straight lines and long distances of the same environment. Over here you don't know what's coming. Even in shorter distances, it's like that. In many cases, the competitors tell me it's more difficult.
Q: Is that the feedback you get from competitors racing in Qatar?
A: Yes, that's the feedback I get. Dakar Rally is long and very tough, so don't get me wrong. This uniqueness about our event makes it more exciting. The terrain in Qatar is interesting because it can change very quickly for the drivers and the riders. They have to respect the desert. It's not an easy race.
Q: What about the home entries this year?
A: Nasser will be there. He was one of the first people who signed up for this event. Adel Hussain is also there. Hamad is there too. Qatar will also be represented by Mohammed Al Mannai, Mohammed Al Harqan, Rashid Al Muhannadi, Khalid Faraj Al Mohannadi, Abdulla Al Rabban, Jamal Fakhroo and Mohammed Al Meer.
Q: Were you surprised with Nasser's crash last week in Abu Dhabi?
A: More than surprise, I was unhappy with the result. We got used to Nasser winning so regularly. I was there at the podium but he wasn't. It was a strange feeling that Nasser was not there (on the podium). Even after the event, I was thinking about it. But knowing Nasser, he is a very thorough pro. I am sure he can turn this around and lead the championship again.
Q: Please elaborate on how busy you have been this season and what's in store for the future?
A: If you ask me if I am happy about the season. I would say I am very happy. We launched a new series. We unveiled a new logo. We created a new identity. We are moving towards Formula 4 racing and we expanded the Baja series.
