Rally of Morocco: Fes hosts the final stage today

For David Castera, president of the Rally of Morocco, "Fes is the nerve center of this rally, with a start and finish, and all that the event brings in terms of tourist nights, local economy and promotion" (YSA)

The 20th edition of the Rally of Morocco ends on Wednesday. The 5th and final stage of this international competition covers 494 km, including 210 km of special. It connects Erfoud to Fez. For five days, the sporting event was closely followed. Thanks to the participation of the double world champion F1, Fernando Alonso, Qatari Nasser al-Attiyah, five-time winner of the Rally of Morocco, and other renowned drivers, this rally is a great promotion for the Kingdom. Decryption.

■ Nasser al-Attiyah, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz … guest stars
At the end of a five-day journey (from October 5th to 9th), renowned pilots, like Nasser al-Attiyah, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and many others, discovered the many facets of Morocco. and its exceptional courses. "This platter of exceptional pilots makes it possible to best expose the Rally of Morocco, since they attract the crowd but also journalists from several countries", says David Castera, president of the rally. Placed under the high patronage of HM the King, this rally-raid took place in a loop and in five stages between Fez and Erfoud through the desert dunes, stony trails and wadi courses on a long course totaling 2.506 km , including 1,636 km of special.

■ Fez, the hotspot of the competition
"This edition was marked by several sports news to the great pleasure of the 1,000 participants (from 39 countries) who made the departure of Fez last Saturday, towards the south of Morocco, passing through the Atlas Mountains", emphasizes the person in charge of the competition. And to continue: "Fez is the hotspot of this rally, with a departure and an arrival", and all that the event brings in terms of tourist nights, local economy and promotion. For this last part, the sports reports, made daily throughout the raid, have highlighted the landscapes of Morocco. "In addition, a 26-minute documentary will be broadcast on Tv5 world. We will see a lot of Morocco and it's a bit like the return that we can give to this country that welcomes us and that we love, "says Castera.

■ Erfoud, Merzouga, Errachidia … the key steps
As for the course, stages "2" (Erfoud-Erfoud: 540 km, including 370 km special) and "4" (Erfoud-Erfoud, 456 km, including 412 km special) were decisive. Thus, the pilots have raised the sand dunes and crossed difficult passages between Erfoud, Errachidia and Merzouga. As for stage 3, competing on a distance of 533 km including 440 km of special, it was marked by several accidents. This allowed the competitors to come out, but not all. In this sense, if the Spaniard Carlos Sainz won this stage in front of the leader to General Nasser al-Attiyah (Toyota) and his teammate Stéphane Peterhansel, Fernando Alonso (Toyota) failed. In fact, the rally's star driver was forced to retire after damaging his Toyota in a hole.

■ Budget, partners, animation …
In addition, the budget of this event amounts to almost 3 million euros. "We are trying to spend the maximum of this envelope in Morocco by working with Moroccans. Certainly, such a competition requires skills that we still bring from Europe, but these are less and less since the Moroccan teams have demonstrated their effectiveness, "says Castera. "In a win-win logic, everyone should enjoy the passage of this event. It is our philosophy of work that will be further developed with our new Moroccan partners (Maroc Telecom, Afriquia and OCP), "he added. His desire "is that this rally fits in Morocco." In order to build social ties with the population, the organizers of the event have programmed concerts of songs. The one planned this Wednesday will invite DJ Cut Killer, Muslim, the Artist, Saïda Charaf, Akhi and Aminux, among others, on the stage of Bab Makina. A show not to be missed …

A "Morocco Academy Rally" too

"Encouraging the younger generations to train in motor sport (car and motorcycle)" is the ambition of the leaders of the Rally of Morocco. To achieve this, a "Rally Morocco Academy" will be born soon. In addition to training, this institution will serve as a selection platform for the best drivers. It will prepare them for the Rally of Morocco 2020. Note that "this academy will be built in the south of the country towards Erfoud, Zagoura or Ouarzazate … The bottom line is that it is at the heart of the sand and dunes," says Castera who promises to "make live the Rally of Morocco throughout the year through training, internships, animation, and others". This will give an additional economic impact and a permanent contact with the destination Morocco. "For Fez, and after two successful editions (2018 and 2019), organized in partnership with the CRT, the rally, which wants to be nomadic, must go to other areas … But rest assured, the rotation will be enough fast and Fez will remain in our hearts, "concludes the president of the rally.

Y.S.A.