Regional field for national rally opener

AMMAN — Jordan’s leading drivers will be joined by two of the region’s most prominent names in the sport when the five-round National Rally Championship gets under way on Friday, according to the Jordan Motorsport Media Service.

A quality entry field of 12 cars includes Kuwait’s Mishari Al Thafiri and one of the elder statesmen of the Middle East scene, Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, of Qatar, who has re-joined the regional series this season following a break to concentrate on senior FIA roles. Both will be using the event to familiarise themselves with the stages through the Jordan Valley with the prestigious Jordan Rally, round two of the Middle East Rally Championship, less than a month away.

They are both driving Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10s. But the pair can expect some fierce competition from Jordan’s top drivers with reigning national champion, Khaled Juma and countrymen Asem Aref, Ihab Al Shurafa and Marouf Abu Samra all capable of threatening the lead this weekend.

Friday’s opening round will be based out of the Dead Sea Service Park, with eight timed stages and a total of 76.38km run through familiar routes in the Jordan Valley. The first car is expected off the ramp at 8:30am, with the podium scheduled for 4:15pm.