CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – November 9, 2026 – Morocco is preparing to welcome the inaugural edition of Rallye Sirocco, an international regularity rally scheduled for December 18–23, 2026. Bringing together 15 crews representing different nationalities, the six-day event will cover approximately 1,035 kilometres across some of the country's most remarkable landscapes, combining motorsport, cultural heritage, technological innovation, and humanitarian engagement.
Organized on a non-profit basis by the Association Sportive de l'Automobile Club Marocain (ASACM) and the Association de la Jeunesse Marocaine en France (AJMF), with MG as title partner, Rallye Sirocco introduces a distinctive vision for Moroccan motorsport: one in which sporting excellence goes hand in hand with social responsibility and cultural discovery.
A Humanitarian Mission at the Heart of the Rally
Beyond the competition, Rallye Sirocco carries a humanitarian mission dedicated to supporting 323 schoolchildren in southern Morocco.
The initiative will benefit 112 pupils in M'Hamid El Ghizlane and 211 in Aït Ben Haddou, two communities situated along the rally's route.
A portion of the participation fees will finance educational supplies, which will be personally distributed by the participating crews during visits to local schools. These encounters are designed to encourage meaningful exchanges between participants and the communities they visit.
The humanitarian programme reflects a fundamental principle of the event: motorsport can serve as a platform for positive social impact, connecting people across geographical and cultural boundaries.
"Behind the number 323 are 323 faces, 323 dreams, and 323 stories that are just beginning. We do not simply want to pass through these villages. We want to stop, meet the children, and show them that the road can also bring good things," explains Aziza Rim, Head of Humanitarian Actions at Rallye Sirocco.
Six Days Across Morocco's Most Iconic Landscapes
The rally begins in Marrakech before crossing the High Atlas Mountains towards Ouarzazate. Participants will subsequently travel through the Drâa Valley, M'Hamid El Ghizlane, Zagora, and Aït Ben Haddou before returning to Marrakech.
The journey showcases Morocco's extraordinary geographical diversity, from dramatic mountain passes and historic kasbahs to palm-filled valleys and the vast landscapes of the Sahara.
Unlike traditional speed-based motorsport competitions, Rallye Sirocco operates under a regularity format. Competitors must maintain predetermined average speeds throughout designated sections, with penalties imposed for arriving either ahead of or behind their prescribed times.
Success therefore depends on precision, navigation, consistency, and teamwork rather than outright speed.
Each participating crew will receive an MG ZS Hybrid+ as part of the event's comprehensive package, which also includes accommodation, meals, cultural experiences, and logistical support.
Developing Independent Moroccan Motorsport Technology
A distinguishing feature of Rallye Sirocco is its commitment to developing technological infrastructure within Morocco.
The organizing team has created digital tools for vehicle tracking, rally timing, regularity calculations, and live classification management.
These systems are intended not only to support the inaugural edition but also to contribute to a broader vision of technological independence within the Moroccan motorsport sector.
By developing its own digital capabilities, the organization aims to establish a foundation for future competitions, reduce reliance on external service providers, and strengthen local technical expertise.
The initiative represents an important step towards creating an interconnected ecosystem capable of supporting the continued development of motorsport in Morocco.
Celebrating Moroccan Culture and Creativity
Beyond technology and competition, Rallye Sirocco seeks to highlight Morocco's cultural heritage and creative industries.
In partnership with Moroccan perfume house KKuny, the organization has introduced TAGELDIT, an exclusive limited-edition fragrance featuring 19 aromatic notes inspired by the landscapes and traditions encountered along the route.
From the orange blossoms of Marrakech to the dates and mint of the southern valleys, the fragrance seeks to capture the essence of Morocco through a distinctive sensory experience.
The collaboration demonstrates the rally's ambition to move beyond conventional motorsport sponsorships by integrating Moroccan artistic expression into the event.
An International Vision for Moroccan Motorsport
Co-founded by Mohamed Ettoubaji, Khalil Belfqih, Dounia Christina, and Mohamed Birouaine, Rallye Sirocco is directed by Abdelouahed Ettoubaji, President of ASACM and a figure with more than four decades of experience in Moroccan motorsport.
The inaugural edition will bring together 30 participants representing different nationalities, contributing to the event's international character and the promotion of Morocco as a destination for cultural and sporting experiences.
"There is a Morocco that we photograph, and another that stays with us long after we have put our cameras away. We created Rallye Sirocco for the latter. We have written the first pages. The rest will be written on the road," says Mohamed Ettoubaji, Co-founder and Technical Director of Rallye Sirocco.
With its combination of sporting precision, humanitarian responsibility, technological innovation, and cultural exploration, Rallye Sirocco aspires to establish a new benchmark for regularity rallying in Morocco.
Its founding philosophy is simple: a rally should be remembered not only for the kilometres travelled or the results achieved, but also for the people encountered and the positive legacy left behind.
About Rallye Sirocco
Rallye Sirocco is a non-profit international regularity rally organized by ASACM and AJMF, with MG as title partner. Its inaugural edition will take place from December 18 to 23, 2026, across Morocco, bringing together 15 crews for a 1,035-kilometre journey combining motorsport, cultural discovery, technological innovation, and humanitarian engagement.
