Sunday 04 / May / 2025
MUSCAT: Omani rally driver Abdullah Al Zubair delivered a stellar performance at the inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Saturday, clinching first place in the Group N (MERC2) category and strengthening his position in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) standings.
Fellow Omani driver Zakaria Al Amri also impressed, finishing third in the same category despite facing multiple challenges.
Driving his trusted Subaru Impreza alongside co-driver Taha Soomar, Al Zubair dominated the Group N field from the outset of the demanding two-day rally, which marked the third round of the MERC.
The event returned to the Middle East calendar after a long hiatus and was widely regarded as one of the most grueling legs of the championship due to rocky terrain, high temperatures, and multiple stage cancellations.
“First of all, thank God we succeeded in this rally,” Al Zubair said after the finish. “My thanks to my co-driver Taha Soomar, the technical team and everyone who supported us. This race was really tiring – seven competitors were forced to retire. We set a clear strategy from the start, and our goal was to lead the category. Thankfully, we achieved it,” he added.
Despite tyre issues on several stages, Al Zubair not only maintained his lead throughout the rally but also recorded times that challenged cars from the faster Rally2 category.
The win marked his second major Group N victory of the season after topping the MERC2 class at the 28th Oman International Rally in Sohar, where he also secured a sixth-place overall finish.
“This rally was very nice, very fast,” Al Zubair added. “It’s been challenging – you really have to trust your pace notes here. I’m happy with the performance and we’ll build on this momentum.”
Meanwhile, Zakaria Al Amri, also representing Oman in the same category, showed resilience after battling car issues and tyre blowouts that slowed his pace. Driving with co-driver Mohammed Al Marzui, Al Amri secured a valuable third place in Group N, which allowed him to retain his lead in the championship points table.
“The stages were difficult and resulted in many tyre punctures,” said Al Amri. “I had hoped for a better pace, but I’m happy with the additional points and the third-place finish. I appreciate the team’s support and look forward to improving in the next round in Jordan.”
Qatar’s legendary driver Nasser Al Attiyah won the overall rally and extended his own dominant run in the MERC, having previously triumphed in Oman and Qatar.
With their performances in Jeddah, both Al Zubair and Al Amri have kept Omani hopes alive in the MERC2 title race as the championship heads into its final rounds.
