Egypt becomes the first MENA country to launch FIA's Affordable Cross Car programme
Egypt becomes the first MENA country to launch FIA's Affordable Cross Car programme
Egypt becomes the first MENA country to launch FIA's Affordable Cross Car programme
The Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt is rolling out the FIA Affordable Cross Car project, with locally built cars meant to open motorsport to grassroots drivers.
2026-05-02T11:27:02+03:00
2026-05-02T11:27:02+03:00
2026-05-02T11:27:02+03:00
Egypt is set to become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to launch the FIA Affordable Cross Car project. The work has been kicked off by the Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt — ATCE. The aim is straightforward: make motorsport cheaper and more accessible to newcomers, rather than leaving it solely to those who can step straight into the expensive classes.
The local Cross Car is planned for production in Egypt using locally sourced parts. That should bring the price down and simplify ownership. The format sits firmly at entry level: cars of this kind are suitable for disciplines such as rallying and rallycross.
The groundwork is already underway. While the homegrown Egyptian machine is still in development, training is being run on Cross Cars built abroad. The first launch and training event was held at the El Gouna Motor Club. The next step is the creation of a national series, the Egyptian National Cross Car Championship.
ATCE president Ali Eissa said the project was made possible by an initiative from the FIA president and the backing of the FIA Development Fund. In his words, the programme should widen access to entry-level competition, strengthen the base of Egyptian motorsport and give young drivers a clear path into the sport.
Eissa also noted that an affordable racing car of this kind could in time be available not just for the Egyptian market, but for the wider MENA region and eventually the rest of the African continent.
For the FIA, this is not a story about marquee championships or factory teams. If the car genuinely turns out to be cheap to run, young drivers will gain a real way into motorsport — without needing a major budget from day one.
FIA Affordable Cross Car, Egypt motorsport, ATCE, Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt, Cross Car, Egyptian National Cross Car Championship, El Gouna Motor Club, MENA motorsport, grassroots motorsport, rallycross, FIA Development Fund
2026
Michael Powers
news
Egypt becomes the first MENA country to launch FIA's Affordable Cross Car programme
The Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt is rolling out the FIA Affordable Cross Car project, with locally built cars meant to open motorsport to grassroots drivers.
Michael Powers, Editor
Egypt is set to become the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to launch the FIA Affordable Cross Car project. The work has been kicked off by the Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt — ATCE. The aim is straightforward: make motorsport cheaper and more accessible to newcomers, rather than leaving it solely to those who can step straight into the expensive classes.
The local Cross Car is planned for production in Egypt using locally sourced parts. That should bring the price down and simplify ownership. The format sits firmly at entry level: cars of this kind are suitable for disciplines such as rallying and rallycross.
The groundwork is already underway. While the homegrown Egyptian machine is still in development, training is being run on Cross Cars built abroad. The first launch and training event was held at the El Gouna Motor Club. The next step is the creation of a national series, the Egyptian National Cross Car Championship.
ATCE president Ali Eissa said the project was made possible by an initiative from the FIA president and the backing of the FIA Development Fund. In his words, the programme should widen access to entry-level competition, strengthen the base of Egyptian motorsport and give young drivers a clear path into the sport.
Eissa also noted that an affordable racing car of this kind could in time be available not just for the Egyptian market, but for the wider MENA region and eventually the rest of the African continent.
For the FIA, this is not a story about marquee championships or factory teams. If the car genuinely turns out to be cheap to run, young drivers will gain a real way into motorsport — without needing a major budget from day one.
