Oman International Rally
The Oman International Rally and the Gulf Rally Challenge that preceded it, as well as being a mainstay of the Oman Rally Championship. The first two events were won by Swedish driver Harry Källström before Qatari driver Saeed Al-Hajri became the first Arabian driver to win in 1981. After the rallies most recent interruption it was re-introduced as a round of the Omani championship in 2013 with MERC candidate status following in 2014. The rally rejoined the MERC officially in 2015.
Emirati driver Mohammed bin Sulayem is the most successful driver in the events history having won the event six times between 1986 and 1998. Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah won four consecutive rallies from 2003 to 2006.
List of previous winners
List of winners sourced in part from:Year | Winner | Car |
1979 | Harry Källström | Datsun 160J |
1980 | Harry Källström | Datsun 160J |
1981 | Saeed Al-Hajri | Opel Ascona |
1982 | Chris Walles | Datsun 200SX |
1983 | Chris Walles | Datsun 200SX |
1984 | Saeed Al-Hajri | Porsche 911 SC |
1985 | Saeed Al-Hajri | Porsche 911 SC |
1986 | Mohammed bin Sulayem | Toyota Celica TCT |
1987 | Mohammed bin Sulayem | Audi Quattro A2 |
1988 | Björn Waldegård | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
1989 | Not held | - |
1990 | Mohammed bin Sulayem | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
1991 | Mohammed bin Sulayem | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
1992 | Tony Georgiou | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
1993 | Michel Saleh | Toyota Celica GT-Four |
1994 | Mohammed bin Sulayem | Ford Escort RS Cosworth |
1995 - 1997 | Not held | - |
1998 | Mohammed bin Sulayem | Ford Escort WRC |
1999 - 2003 | Not held | - |
2003 | Nasser Al-Attiyah | Mitsubishi Lancer RS Evo VII |
2004 | Nasser Al-Attiyah | Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
2005 | Nasser Al-Attiyah | Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
2006 | Nasser Al-Attiyah | Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
2007 | Khalid Al-Qassimi | Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
2008 - 2012 | Not held | - |
2013 | Abdullah Al-Qassimi | Mitsubishi Lancer RS Evo IX |
2014 | Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari | Ford Fiesta RRC |