Jordanian drivers Issa Abu Jamous and Ihab Al-Shorafa are relishing the challenge of extending their strong starts in the MERC2 category of this year’s FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).
Abu Jamous heads into this weekend’s Jordan Rally with a 26-point lead in the FIA MERC2 Championship for Group NR4 cars such as the latest Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza.
My goal is to win the title. I returned to the world of rallying after a 12-year hiatus because of work commitments. I won the first national rally, which was a good preparation for me and my co-driver Imad Juma. I know it will be difficult competition at the Jordan Rally between Jordanian and other Arab competitors. But I am looking forward to the competition, maintaining the lead and also boosting my points in the main Middle East Championship.
Issa Abu Jamous
The Jordan Rally is characterised by its difficulty and diversity of terrain and the participation of 26 local, Arab and international competitors will increase the strength of the competition. It’s also great to see the participation of young competitors in the rally, such as Shaker Juwaihan, Ameer Nassif and Ahmed Jankhut. My children will also have an influential role in motorsport very soon.
Issa Abu Jamous
Local rival Ihab Al-Shorafa is his closest challenger after the first three rounds in Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, on 63 points and 23 clear of his two nearest rivals.
One of them is defending FIA MERC2 champion Meshari Al-Thefiri, who impressed with his speed in a Rally2 Škoda Fabia in Kuwait in March before mechanical problems cost him a potentially sensational result. He returns to MERC2 in Jordan in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.
I have come here to win my category and to be on the podium. I am still waiting to hear from Škoda what the problem was in Kuwait when I was leading after day one. As soon as I turned on the engine on day two, I knew there was a problem and we didn’t finish. This was very frustrating. We have to learn from this. But, if I have no problems with the car. I believe I can win my group here.
Meshari Al-Thefiri
The leading trio’s main opposition could come from Lebanon’s Alex Feghali, son of record 15-time Rally of Lebanon winner Roger Feghali. With Georges Deaibess, the youngster finished third overall and second in MERC2 in Jordan last May, around two minutes behind Al-Thefiri.
Kuwait’s joint third-placed Mohammed Al-Thefiri is also entered, along with Oman’s Zakariya Al-Aamri, fifth in the standings, Jordanian Mitsubishi drivers Shadi Shaban, Salameh Al-Ghammez and Fadi Dahshan, and Yousef Al-Asmar in a Subaru Impreza.
On Wednesday, competitors complete their reconnaissance of the Bahath, Suwayma and Ma’in gravel stages before administrative checks at rally headquarters in the late afternoon.