The FIA Middle East Rally Championship’s top eight seeds have all signed up to take part in the new-look Jordan Rally which presents a fresh face to the motor sporting world from May 25-27.
Current Middle East champion Nasser Al Attiyah (Qatar), Sheikh Khaled Al Qassimi (Sharjah) and Dubai’s Sheikh Suhail Al Maktoum are among the 30 drivers confirmed from 10 countries while Jordan National champion Faris Bustami and 2004 Jordan Rally winner Amjad Farrah lead a strong entry of local drivers.
“The strength and depth of the starting field demonstrates that our bid to become the Middle East’s first round on the FIA World Rally Championship has captured the imagination of the region,” said Khaled Kurdi, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
Never before have so many of the region’s top drivers confirmed for a Jordan Rally and they will be joined by 13 Jordanians as well as drivers from the UK, Austria and Switzerland in the competitive starting line-up.
Bustami is ranked fourth in the starting list which closed last night (Saturday) with countryman, Farrah, on the starting list in fifth. Middle East rally veteran Michel Saleh is confirmed from Lebanon while exciting young Oman driver Nizar Al Shanfari has also signed up.
But all eyes will be on the top seven seeded drivers who will all be going in to the event looking to clinch the most sought after title in Middle East rallying.
Preparations continue to move at a fast pace with the final touches being applied to the new-look and renovated stages. In a strong selling point for the event, all the action is located within 60 kms of the Dead Sea Service Park which is itself located at the lowest land point on earth.
Tremendous public and private sector support has been received. Saraya Jordan and Chery Automobile have signed up as Gold Sponsors and will enjoy publicity from an event that reaches 180 countries worldwide.
Mecca Mall are silver sponsors. Convention Center, MOVENPICK Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Fastlink, Sawt El Ghad, Red Bull & Royal Jordanian are official suppliers.
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has played a massive role in preparing the new-look stages while the Jordan Tourism Board has supported Jordan Motorsport’s marketing activities along with Mawared.
The Jordan Rally will begin on May 25 with a ceremonial start at the world-famous Citadel site. The action starts for real the following morning with two days of rallying in and around the Dead Sea area.
For more information: Contact the Jordan Motorsport Media Office on +962-6-5850626 or tshleef@jordan-motorsport.com
