Jordanian team vies for Qatar Rally glory

AMMAN — Only one Jordanian team will participate in the Qatar International Rally, first round of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) to be held February 4-6 with the participation of 15 teams representing Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Germany, Sweden and Italy.

Jordan’s Husam Salem and co-driver Nancy Majali will compete against a high level of participation headed by champion Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah in one of the longest rallies in the MERC.

“We could not say no to this rally as it is the start of this season for us and we are planning to compete in the MERC rounds as long as we can,” Salem told The Jordan Times.

“The Qatar Rally is really tough and has one of the longest stages in any rally (25.90km). We need to cover a total distance of 535.25km with 12 special stages, but we are ready for any challenge we may face fore we consider our participation here an extensive training session for the Jordan Rally,” he added.

Majali, a veteran driver and co-driver stated that their participation in the rally is a good sign.

“Jordanian drivers should always be present in all rounds of the MERC as we have the talent and the skill to compete and we might not have the financial abilities or the support needed like others but I am sure we can do something and that is why we are participating to prove that we have it,” she said.

“The entry list has 15 big names from all over the world and we look at it as an additional once-in-a-life-time opportunity to learn more and experience more from the best and at the same show the world that we also can,” she added.

Attiyah, who is aiming for his fourth win in a row in the Qatar Rally, said in a statement that the rally will be a good start for this season.

“Each round has its own geographical conditions in Qatar Rally; they should be handled according to a well-studied plan, which we know very well how to handle, meanwhile the geographical diversity is the most important feature of this championship which attracts a large number of participants from Europe,” Attiyah, who is also seeking his 13th title in his career, said.

In another statement Qatari driver Rashid Naimi, who secured the second place in the MERC 2015 Championship, said: “We have enough confidence to achieve a new victory; Qatar Rally stages need special care as they are desert land, a little mistake would cost much.”