It is an extremely intense race for the driver, albeit a short one – a race against time on a narrow, winding road with an average length of between 5 and 7km.
From 2020 onwards, a new format for the FIA Trophy for Historic Regularity Rallies has been put in place. This new format consists of the identification of national events which will be recognised as "qualifying events" and a Final at the end of the year, at which the FIA Trophy will be awarded.
Drivers and co-drivers who participated in at least one qualifying event and who finished in the top 33% rounded up of the participants (based on the official start list) will therefore be eligible to compete in the Final and claim the FIA title.
Held across North and Central America since 2008, COVID-19 restrictions prevented the FIA NACAM Rally Championship from taking place in 2020, although three events, all in Mexico, did run to underline the strong level of interest and enthusiasm.
Events are held on asphalt and gravel and attract drivers of varying levels of experience and ability with several cars from the FIA Rally Cars Pyramid in action.
The FIA Middle East Rally Championship has been challenging drivers and their teams since 1984 with events across the region on varied terrain.
As well as traditional desert-based rallies, the MERC includes rounds on gravel and asphalt with high ambient and ground temperatures a constant hurdle to overcome.
With 17 titles to his name ahead of the 2022 season, Nasser Al-Attiyah is the most decorated MERC driver in history. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was previously the most successful MERC driver with 14 championships won.
