FIA Middle East Rally Champioinship

The beautiful island of Cyprus is one of the world’s best-loved holiday destinations, but it has also earned itself an exceptional reputation as an international motorsport venue.

Through its hosting of many official FIA rallying events, Cyprus is at the forefront of the cut-and-thrust of modern motorsport and, since its inception in 2000, the Troodos Rally has provided rallying thrills and spills for local and international fans alike.

An official round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), the Troodos Rally sees the region’s top drivers arrive in Cyprus for a weekend battling it out on the challenging roads and tracks of the island’s major mountain range. Often held late in the MERC calendar, the Troodos Rally has regularly proved vital in the quest for the championship title, with many a campaign won or lost in the Cyprus sunshine.

2007 sees the Troodos Rally move to the earlier part of the year (20^th – 22^nd April), making it 3^rd in this year’s MERC calendar between Rally Oman and the Jordan Rally. With the island at its most attractive and the springtime countryside a riot of colour after the winter rainfall, this event promises to be a photographers dream as the best drivers from the region battle for victory.

Attracting exceptional talent from Cyprus and the region, this is a popular event, with local drivers such as Andreas Tsouloftas and Andreas Peratikos both taking victory here. Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah has enjoyed considerable success here in recent years, his victory at last year’s event marking his 4^th consecutive Troodos Rally win!

The event is often unpredictable and capable of providing surprises, making the event that much more exciting for fans and that much more challenging for the competitors.

Clerk of the Course of the 2007 Troodos Rally Nayia Kontopoulou has nothing but praise for the event: “We Cypriots have rallying in our blood! We love it! Year after year, fans and competitors alike come back here to enjoy a great event and enjoy the local hospitality. Of course, motorsport is a serious business, but it can also be a lot of fun. We all have a great time - the drivers, the fans, the officials - and 2007 promises to be our best event yet!”