DOHA: Qatari rally ace Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is looking forward to winning the Rally Mexico “Sonora” which constitutes the third round of the new World Rally Raid Championship.
The Worlds was introduced by the International Automobile Federation last year.
Al Attiyah, world champion in long-distance desert rallies (cross-country) and five-time champion of the Dakar Rally, accompanied by his French navigator Mathieu Baumel, finished his strong preparations for the Sonora Rally, which will start with an opening stage in the city of Hermosillo tomorrow.
The Qatari champion, the holder of the title of the first edition of the World Championship, faces strong competition this season from Frenchman Sebastien Loeb, who won the World Rally Championship nine times previously.
Loeb seeks to record his seventh victory in Mexico and maintain the lead in the World Cup for Desert Rally Championships this year.
Al Attiyah exuded confidence ahead of the rally.
“We have speed. We are strong. I am sure it will be a big fight in Mexico and in the next rounds,” said the Qatari ace.
