DEAD SEA, JORDAN – A first run through the daunting new 32km Tal Hilali stage kicks off the 2025 Jordan Rally on Friday morning.
Led by 16-time event winner Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera, crews then face 11 more gravel stages over two days before the ceremonial finish at the lowest place on earth on Saturday afternoon. Twenty-one FIA cars start, plus seven crews competing only in two separate national rallies.
The event was flagged away from its new start venue at the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan (RACJ) after Thursday evening’s press conference. Cars had passed scrutineering at the Dead Sea, where several potential front-runners sounded confident.
Al-Rawahi: “Jordan is where I started”
This year has been very tough for us. We haven’t had the results I was expecting. We have been trying really hard to push and close the gap to Nasser in terms of pace. Every year we try to learn more and more. The first three rallies didn’t go as expected, especially in Oman. The first day we had to retire, in Qatar we got faster and faster and then we had punctures in Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah Al-Rawahi
Jordan is where I started. It is different to other years but I love the terrain and the stages. They are tough. We need to be careful. It is very slippery and the notes have to be precise. We are coming here to try and take the win. I am prepared better than last year where we were leading and had to retire.
Abdullah Al-Rawahi
Al-Kuwari praises the stages
Defending champion Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari was full of praise for the condition of the tracks.
I would like to thank the people who prepared the stages. They are amazing. The new stages and the old parts of stages are fantastic. I just worry a little bit about the grip on the first loop. Competition will be very high with eight Rally2s. We are looking forward to it.
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari
There is no pressure (being champion). I play other different sports, like padel, and people ask me why I don’t ever feel pressure. I always try to enjoy. I am getting used to the new car, especially the last day in Saudi where we were much faster than the previous rallies. More kilometres and we will get even faster.
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari
Al-Rashed’s third attempt
Thirty-five-year-old Rakan Al-Rashed is starting the event for the third time, having retired a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX in 2016 and 2017 with Finnish co-driver Jarkko Kalliolepo. He is targeting a podium on Saturday evening in his bid for the regional title.
For me, I like these stages. They are hard. We will take care on the first stage, the long one, because of the risk of punctures because we have two more stages of around 11km each in the loop. A flat tyre there would be a big problem for me. My strategy is to finish the rally. Being in Portugal and having recent gravel experience should also help.
Rakan Al-Rashed
With rookie rival Mohammed Al-Marri absent, Rashid Al-Muhannadi could mathematically clinch the FIA MERC4 title this weekend with two rounds to spare.
This is my first time in Jordan. The stages are nice but quite demanding and technical. I like the rally. I am looking to forward to it and I hope to win the championship.
Rashid Al-Muhannadi
Friday’s stages
Tal Hilali starts at 09:44 and includes a short section of the former Bahath stage in the Jordan Valley. It is followed by the high-speed Karameh stage (11.08km) and the Baptism Site stage (11.34km) close to the Dead Sea. All three are repeated in the afternoon after a midday regroup and service at the Dead Sea.