The Jordan Rally kicked off with a ceremonial start at the Dead Sea in Doha, Qatar. The event features 24 cars and competitors from nine countries who will compete in 15 special stages over the next two days to determine the winner of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. Defending Jordanian national champion Abdullah Al Rawahi, who won last year’s MERC event, is confident about his title defense this weekend. He is the second seed behind 19-time regional champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah.
Al Attiyah, who retired from the opening round in Qatar, is aiming for a winning debut with his new Škoda Fabia RS in Jordan. He expressed his enthusiasm for the rally and his desire to win. Al Attiyah also praised Abdullah’s improvement as a driver and emphasized the importance of strong competition in the Middle East Rally scene. He highlighted the need for strategic driving to secure maximum points in upcoming races in Lebanon, Cyprus, and Oman.
During the official pre-event press conference, Al Rawahi and Al Attiyah, along with other Qatari and Jordanian drivers, shared their thoughts on the upcoming rally. The first day of the rally will take place in the Mount Nebo area, featuring the Panorama and Bahath stages, followed by a loop through the Dead Sea area. The day will conclude with a super special stage at the Dead Sea in the evening.
As the excitement builds for the competition, fans are eager to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. With experienced drivers like Al Attiyah and rising talents like Al Rawahi in the mix, the Jordan Rally promises to be a challenging and eventful event for all involved. Stay tuned for updates on the results and highlights from this prestigious rally in the days to come.