AMMAN, JORDAN – Jordan Motorsport has published the entry list for next week’s Jordan Rally, and multiple regional champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah sits at the top of a strong field featuring the Middle East’s leading drivers. The event, round three of the 2026 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), runs from May 14th to 16th.
Al-Attiyah is partnered by Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera as he chases a record-breaking 21st regional rally title and an 18th win in the Hashemite Kingdom since 2003. The Qatari drives a Škoda Fabia RS prepared by Autotek Motorsport.
His car is one of six Rally2 machines in a 17-car entry representing 10 nations.
Al-Rawahi returns to full fitness
Oman’s Abdullah Al-Rawahi, Al-Attiyah’s fiercest rival, will hope that being back to full fitness can revive his championship challenge. He is joined by Jordanian co-driver Ata Al-Hmoud in a second Škoda Fabia RS. The pair claimed their first Jordan Rally victory in 2023.
Veteran Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya arrives as the early championship leader after the rounds in Oman and Qatar. The Qatari is partnered by Lebanon’s Ziad Chehab in the only Ford Fiesta on the entry list.
Bakhashab follows in his father’s footsteps
Saudi Arabia’s Hamza Bakhashab is aiming to emulate his father Abdullah, the 1995 champion, by fighting for the overall regional title. The Jeddah driver is currently second in the standings and is joined by Irishman Lorcan Moore in a Toyota GR Yaris.
Local driver Sheikh Bader Al-Fayez suffered engine problems at the opening round in Oman and had to miss round two as a result. He is back with Lebanese co-driver Joseph Matar in a third Škoda. Bassel Abu Hamdan and Firas Elias complete the Rally2 field in a Volkswagen Polo.
Jweihan chases a MERC2 hattrick
Jordan’s Shaker Jweihan has been the standout performer in the FIA MERC2 category this season and will be targeting a hattrick of class wins with Mustafa Juma in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. His challengers include Oman’s Zakariya Al-Aamri (Subaru) and Sami Fleifel (Mitsubishi).
Engine trouble spoiled the start of the season for Qatar’s Rashid Al-Muhannadi and Mohammed Al-Marri, who drive a pair of QMMF-entered Peugeot 208 Rally4s. They return to action across a dozen special stages in the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley areas looking to score their first points of the year.
In FIA MERC4, Lebanon’s Shadi El-Fakih will be going for a third maximum score of the season in his Renault Clio RS.
SSV, National and Palestinian entries
Jordanian driver Farah Zakaria teams up with Lebanon’s Dolyne Schlink and is registered for the championship in a Can-Am in the SSV section.
There are National entries for the Jordanian quartet of Shadi Shaban and Samer Issa, and Issa and Daoud Abu Jamous, in two Mitsubishis. Mohammed Al-Shorafa partners Samer Sfeir in a third Mitsubishi and is registered for MERC points.
Palestine’s Hamadeh Uda completes the field in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X with Jordanian co-driver Zeid Abu Zeid, although he is not registered for the MERC.
Jordan Rally 2026: entry at a glance
- Entries: 17 cars from 10 nations
- Rally2 cars: 6
- Favourite: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah / Candido Carrera, Škoda Fabia RS
- Championship leader: Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya / Ziad Chehab, Ford Fiesta
- Dates: May 14th-16th, 2026