Under the patronage of HM Mohammed VI: The 8th edition of the Afriquia Merzouga Rally from May 7 to 12, 2017

The Afriquia Merzouga Rally will take place from May 7 to 12. This year’s edition promises to be very special since it benefits for the first time from the High Patronage of HM Mohammed VI.

In 2016, the Moroccan event benefited for the first time from the Dakar Series label and from a title partner, Afriquia, the Moroccan leader in the distribution of hydrocarbons and lubricants. Afriquia once again attaches its name to that of the event by renewing its confidence for the 2017 edition. In addition to the exclusive supply of all participants by Afriquia, the partnership between Merzouga Rally and Afriquia also provides logistical support with quality products (fuels and lubricants). On a sporting level, the Afriquia Merzouga Rally further asserts its ambitions. Ideal crossing point, in the right place – on rally-raid terrain – and at the right time in the Dakar preparation calendar, this meeting of the Dakar Series circuit is also a rally-raid detection and training laboratory, intended to bring out the “new Dakar generation”.

The week of racing concocted by Eduardo Mossi in the great south of Morocco will take motorcycle, quad and SSV pilots to the gates of the Sahara, and will allow competitors to discover, in a context of tough competition, the strings of dunes for which the Merzouga region is famous. Every day, Marc Coma, sports director, will provide lessons on essential themes: road book/navigation, physical and mental preparation to face the difficulties of the Dakar.
All finishers will have the assurance of being able to register for the Dakar. The Afriquia Merzouga Rally therefore pursues a dual objective: to be an essential preparation event for the official teams and a springboard for amateurs wishing to try the Dakar adventure. More than 140 vehicles, 170 competitors from 27 different nationalities are expected for this edition, including the most important official teams. More than 66% of entrants are new to the event.

source: today