Juma wins 2nd round of National Rally Championship

AMMAN — Khaled Juma on Friday was crowned champion of the second round of the National Rally Championship “La Storia Museum Rally” with the participation of nine drivers.

With this win Juma heads the standings with 50 points after winning the first and second rounds.

Juma and co-driver Imad Juma clocked 42m55s in their Mitsubishi Evo 7, followed by Amjad Sheikh and co-driver Abdullah Abdah (44m33s) in their Subaru Impreza, and Ihab Shurafa and co-driver Rakan Khair (48m06s) in their Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Juma told The Jordan Times that it was a very challenging event.

“It was not easy, but I adopted a very good strategy that gave me a nine-stage win and it worked by putting more pressure on the other drivers and not looking behind me. The list of drivers was impressive but I managed to have around two minutes difference and in rallying this counts,” he said.

“I am happy that I am in the lead now and closer to the title but still the road needs more focus, but I am confident,” he added.

The rally was held around Madaba with a total distance of 186.89km including nine special stages with a total distance of 63.69km. Drivers covered Bahra (9.74km), Kroum (5.46km) and Ghernata (6.03km) three times each.

Meanwhile, Raed Habaybeh retired due to mechanical problems.

Veteran driver Barkev Shadian who teamed with Lina Hadidi as her co-driver finished in fifth place.

Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO, said that it was an exciting event.

“It was a very exciting event and Juma delivered what he promised. The rally had new stages and probably it did have an effect on some drivers but at the end everyone did their best,” he said.

The rally takes its name from the La Storia Museum Complex in Madaba which is a combination of folk, history and a handicrafts centre.