Drivers pumped up for Jordan National Rally

AMMAN — The third round of the Jordan National Rally Championship kicks off on Friday with the participation of nine drivers.

The event will be headed by last year’s champion Khaled Juma, who won the first round and came fifth at the Jordan Rally, the third round of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).

Juma and co-driver Emad Juma clocked 47m28s in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 in the first round, followed by Salameh Qamaz and co-driver Ahmed Zeidan (50m16s) in their Mitsubishi Evo 5 and Basheer Azar and co-driver Mohammed Azarbeh (54m10s) in their Subaru Impreza.

The rally will witness the participation of one women driver, Lina Hadidi, who is joined by her co-driver veteran Barkev Shadian in their Subaru Impreza Sti.

“It will be great to compete in this round and improve my position. I have a great and very experienced co-driver beside me so it should be interesting. At the Jordan Rally I had to retire early due to mechanical issues in the suspension system but I have full faith in this round,” she said.

Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO told The Jordan Times that the rally would be a decisive event.

“All drivers feel the heat and this third round will be really crucial. The technical checkup will be held on Friday and Thursday will be a practice opportunity for drivers,” he said.

“The rally will start on Friday at 10am from the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan towards the Dead Sea and will consist of six special stages (61km) with a total distance of 182.4km,” he added.

Drivers will have to pass through Bahath, Seyagha and Rama, and head back to Amman for the awards ceremony.