Jordan Rally set to be a thriller

AMMAN — Jordan is putting the finishing touches to hosting one of the leading events on its social and sporting calendar when the world-famous Jordan Rally is held from October 15-17, according to a statement from the events media service.

Featuring the region’s top drivers, the 2015 Jordan Rally is set to become one of the most thrilling events in a history which stretches back more than three decades.

The event is firmly positioned as one of the world’s great rallies and is a crucial marketing tool for the Kingdom with television coverage beamed into millions of homes across the Arab world and beyond.

“The rally shows that we [Jordan] are open for business and despite what may be happening around us Jordan continues to be a safe and secure country to visit,” explained Othman Nassif, CEO of Jordan Motorsport. “We tend to select stages in and around the Jordan Valley that showcase the stunning scenery we have as well as several world famous tourism spots like Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea and the Baptism Site.

“The 2015 Jordan Rally will be no different. We want to provide a tough challenge for the region’s very best drivers whilst at the same time hold a world class event that is thrilling to watch for the spectator.”

The event, which is the sixth round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, has become a national initiative with incredible support from a number of government ministries who work alongside the likes of the Greater Amman Municipality and the various security services to deliver a top event year after year.

The 2015 field will be led by Qatari star Nasser Al Attiyah, who has won the rally on multiple occasions. He will be joined by the best Arab talent there is along with Jordan’s speedsters including 2014 National Champion Maruf Abu Samrah.

It all gets underway on October 15, with a high octane evening of thrills and spills on the outskirts of Amman. The “Super Special Stage” is tailor made for spectators with a patch of land being transformed into a rally circuit where drivers will race against the clock.

On October 16, the action will begin in earnest with 19 timed stages to be held over 250km through to late Saturday afternoon when the winner will be crowned on the banks of the Dead Sea.