The 8th edition of the Afriquia Merzouga Rally will take place under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI

Afriquia Merzouga Rally – For the first time, the Afriquia Merzouga Rally will receive the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. “It is a pleasure and an honor” said ASO President Jean-Etienne Amaury, when he received the communication from the Royal Cabinet. The patronage represents an important step forward in the constant growth of the rally which last year became part of the Dakar Series and saw the support of Afriquia as title sponsor. The leading distributor of hydrocarbons and lubricants in Morocco has renewed its trust also for this 2017 edition. In addition to being the exclusive supplier for all the rally's competitors, the partnership with Afriquia also includes the logistical support of high quality products (petrol and lubricants ).

On the sporting side, the Afriquia Merzouga Rally confirms itself as an event not to be missed for all rally raid lovers. In the right place and at the right time in the preparation agenda for the Dakar, the race also aims to be a real training laboratory for the New Dakar Generation. The race week designed by Edoardo Mossi in southern Morocco will bring motorbikes, quads and SxS (side by side) to the gates of the Sahara and will allow competitors to discover the famous dunes of the Merzouga region in a racing context.

Every day, Sports Director Marc Coma will hold courses on the essential topics of the discipline: navigation with road book, physical and mental preparation to face the difficulties of a rally and in particular the Dakar. All competitors who finish Merzouga will be eligible to run the Dakar. The Afriquia Merzouga Rally has two objectives: to be a preparatory event for the official teams and a launching pad for amateurs aiming to race the Dakar.

For the 2017 edition, over 140 vehicles and 170 competitors from 27 different nationalities are expected, including the main official teams. Over 66% of the drivers at the start are taking part in the rally for the first time. The event is constantly growing (+20%), just as the media coverage and digital communication promise to be unprecedented. Also this year and in the tradition of the Dakar, the Afriquia Merzouga Rally will demonstrate its strong commitment to responsible sport. Numerous environmental and social actions were therefore created on three main aspects (carbon control, solidarity and valorisation of the host country) and 11 concrete actions. Energy conservation, carbon offsetting, waste control, local procurement, safety and fair play, and accountability awareness are all actions that have been implemented. The 2017 edition of the Rally Afriquia Merzouga promises to be exceptional in many ways. Follow the race from 7 to 12 May in Erfoud and live the Merzouga experience.