Cyprus Rally gets underway
The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Cyprus, H.E. Yousef Sultan Laram, and the Mayor of Nicosia, Mr. Charalambos Prountzos, officially launched the 51st international Cyprus Rally, which began on Friday, from the centre of Nicosia.
The event will finish on Sunday with the crowning of the new Middle East Champion, as this event is the final round of the 2024 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
Hundreds of motorsport fans were present at the Ceremonial Start. The international Cyprus Rally has been organised by the Cyprus Automobile Association since 1970.
A total of 20 crews representing five countries taking part in the race.
The Special Stages of the 51st Cyprus Rally kicksoff on Saturday morning with three special stages in the Asinou area, which will be repeated in the afternoon. On Sunday the action moves to the areas of Skarinou, Lefkara, Lythrodontas, and Yeri, with the race concluding with the Visit Qatar Power Stage in Yeri at 15:43.
The contenders for the Middle East Rally Championship are in Cyprus. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (49 points) and Nasser Al-Attiyah (35 points) from Qatar, both driving Skoda Fabia R5s, as well as Jordanian Shaker Jweihan (37 points) with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. Jweihan has already secured the title in the MERC 2 category.
At the Cyprus Rally 2024 also participating competitors from the National Cyprus Rally Championship: Simos Galatariotis (60 points) with a Volkswagen Polo GTi R5, Panagiotis Yiangou (48 points) with Hyundai i20, Giorgos Nestoros (30 points) with driving Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X and Kostas Zinonos (21 points) with a Citroen DS3 R5. Each day of the Cyprus Rally counts as a separate event for the National Championship with a coefficient of 1.5.
Rashid Al-Muhannadi is competing with a Skoda Fabia R5 in Qatar’s colors, while Lebanon’s Shadi El Fakih, a title contender in the MERC 4 category, arrived with a Peugeot 208. Petros Panteli is racing in the Cyprus Rally with the Renault Clio Rally3, the car that gave him the Middle East Championship title in MERC 3 last year.
Detailed information about the schedule, timings, maps, and the best viewing spots can be found at www.cyprusrally.com.cy.
The 51st Cyprus International Rally is sponsored by the Qatar tourism organization “Visit Qatar,” Psaltis Auto Parts, ENEOS Motor Oil, Sparco, Cablenet, Farmakas Natural Spring Water, ANCO Catering Equipment, and Stop Fire.
Supporters include the Municipality of Nicosia, Kapnos Airport Shuttle, and the Jeep Club Cyprus.
THE ITINERARY
Saturday, October 19
– SS 1: Xyliatos – 8.12 km – 9:33
– SS 2: Kapouras – 19.99 km – 10:01
– SS 3: Kourdali – 21.22 km – 11:04
– Service (30 minutes) – 12:44
– SS 4: Xyliatos 2 – 8.12 km – 14:17
– SS 5: Kapouras 2 – 19.99 km – 14:45
– SS 6: Kourdali 2 – 21.22 km – 15:48
– Service (45 minutes) – 17:18
Sunday, October 20
– SS 7: Doryforikos – 12.40 km – 8:58
– SS 8: Lefkara – 19.78 km – 9:41
– SS 9: Yeri – 9.63 km – 11:04
– Service (30 minutes) – 11:54
– SS 10: Doryforikos 2 – 12.40km – 13:07
– SS 11: Lefkara 2 – 19.78 km – 13:50
– SS 12: Visit Qatar Power Stagr (YerI) – 9.63 km – 15:43
– Ceremonial Finish – 17:30