Doha: Last year’s Qatar International Rally was deemed as the ‘toughest’ event in the long history of the Mena competition but keeping in mind the level of competition this week’s contest - which starts tomorrow - is expected to put the spotlight on who tackles the tough course for the honours on Saturday.

As many as 15 top-notch drivers from around the world are featuring in the event promising a tough challenge to the dominance of Qatar’s legendary rally driver Nasser bin Saleh Al Attiyah.

Besides Qatar drivers from Kuwait Lebanon Jordan and Turkey will showcase their skills and will attempt to challenge Al Attiyah’s dominance on home soil. Lebanese participation in the event will add colours in the eagerly-awaited match.

The rally divided into a total of 13 stages including the link stages with a total distance of 535.24km will see diversity in the path. The drivers completed their training yesterday.

The rally will start with the Super Special Stage with the kick off set in front of the QMMF headquarter. The second day will consist of 3 stages with the drivers covering a total distance of 227.86km including the 124.13km stages.

The first stage of the day will be called Al Kharsaah while the second stage will be known as Al Shabana. The third stage has been named as Umm Wishah. Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah President Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the man behind the promotion of motorsport in the region promises another thrilling season in the rally.

“We are delighted to open the 2016 season with the Qatar International Rally” Al Attiyah said ahead of the event.

“QMMF got ready for this event long time ago as the working committee has prepared well to hold this event” he said before lauding the role of Clerk of Course.

“I would like also to appreciate the role displayed by Marwan Musabeh by making arrangements on time” he said.

“We welcome all the participants in this round this season is considered exceptional as we can see participants from Europe beside the Arab and Turkey as well which would make the competition so hard this season” said Al Attiyah.

The QMMF President said the competition will be difficult in both the group of local drivers Nasser bin Saleh Abdulaziz Al Kawari Khaled Al Sweedy.”

Meanwhile Emad Lahoud FIA- MENA Coordinator will arrive in Doha today to monitor Qatar International Rally 2016. He will be in charge of monitoring all the technical and administrative issues.

As an international official appointed by FIA Lahoud will also monitor safety procedures applied in addition to the environmental aspects and the logistics which may be direct reasons for the success of the rally or failure in case of not caring about such issues are approved by the rally sporting regulation committee – FIA which will be reported by Lahoud for the issuance of the final report of the rally.

In the same context Elly Samaan will take the charge of the position of COC as he will assist in managing the rally. The Arbitration committee will be formed by Solinder (Kenya) Naif Al Higlan (KSA) and Sultan Al Muraikhi (Qatar)

This year’s event will also witness a Lebanese participation after a long absence time as Asmar Radoulf with his Mitsubishi Aveo 9 will sit beside the professional co-driver Joseph Mattar. Asmar’s participation of these Lebanese stars is considered a positive indicator for both Qatar International rally or Middle East Championship as they will continue in the other remaining rounds in Kuwait Lebanon Cyprus Oman and Dubai.

“I would like to thank QMMF for all the facilities provided as it’s the first time for me to participate in a desert rally with is something totally new for me” said Lebanese star Asmar.

The Peninsula