Rally Saudi Arabia to Begin Thursday in Jeddah as Part of FIA Middle East Rally Championship

Photography: Courtesy of SPA.

Jeddah, April 30, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Rally Saudi Arabia is set to commence on Thursday in Jeddah, marking the third round of the 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). The event is organized by the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport.

The rally will span a total distance of 824.35 kilometers over two days, with 22 drivers from eight countries—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Finland, and India—set to compete in 22 vehicles across the Rally2 and Rally4 categories.J

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit will serve as the official venue for the rally, with the competition launching its first stage on Friday. Drivers will navigate terrain to the east of Jeddah, covering Briman, Wadi Al-Matwi, and Umm Al-Jurm. The second stage will take place north of the governorate, passing through Al-Ghulah, Asfan, and Dhahban.

Among the key contenders are Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah and his Spanish co-driver Cándido Carrera, who currently lead the standings with 22 points after securing victories in the opening two rounds in Oman and Qatar. Saudi driver Rakan Al-Rashed is expected to challenge the leaders, alongside Finland’s Juho Hänninen.

The event forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to expand its presence in global motorsport, contributing to tourism, youth engagement, and sports development under Vision 2030.