With one month to go before Jordan hosts the third round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, organizers have unveiled a twist that will position the rally as one of the world’s toughest.
Following a high profile launch on May 1 in an, as yet, unnamed city centre location, the Jordan Rally will be held over two days on tough tracks through the Jordan Valley and close to the Dead Sea.
But this year, organisers have removed the service stop after the first two stages on each day, to cut down on the road sections and increase the competitive intensity of the event.
Previously, drivers returned to the Dead Sea service park for maintenance and a breather after two stages but this will now take place remotely with the first visit back to ‘base’ now scheduled after five stages.
The move will not only provide a greater physical challenge to the drivers but will push the cars’ durability to the limits which could influence team tactics.
Reigning Jordan and Middle East champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah returns to Jordan as a hot favourite after securing victory in the last round in Kuwait. But he will face a host of the region’s leading drivers as well as a hoist of top Jordanians.
Entry for the event will close in a fortnight so teams are advised to get in touch with Jordan Motorsport soon.
Following the soon-to-be-revealed spectator stage on the Thursday evening, the following two days will see 20 stages held on some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world of motorsport.
Middle East Rally Championship driver standings (after two rounds)
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) 50pts
2. Khalid Al-Qassimi (ARE) 33pts
3. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (SAU) 27pts
4. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT) 26pts
5. Abdullah Al-Kuwari (QAT) 14pts