Nasser Al Attiyah confirms Jordan Rally title defence

AMMAN — Twelve-time regional rally champion Nasser Al Attiyah — one of the Arab world’s most iconic sporting figures, and the biggest motorsport name to ever come out of the region — has confirmed that he will be taking part in the Jordan Rally from May 5-7, according to the Jordan Rally Media Service.

Attiyah just won the UAE Desert Challenge, and is preparing to represent Qatar in shooting at the Olympic Games in Rio this summer, but he is one of the first drivers to confirm his defence of the Jordan Rally title, which is the third round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

“Jordan is a special place for me and I am looking forward to coming back once again,” Attiyah was quoted as saying in the statement. Drivers have until April 19 to get their entries in and the signs are that there will be a strong regional and local flavour to the event.

May 6 will see drivers tackle 10 special timed stages covering 115.5 kilometres while May 7 presents eight more tricky stages covering 105.54km through the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley areas.