FIA Middle East Rally Champioinship

The Jordan Rally is established as the Kingdom’s leading social and sporting event and is gearing up to welcome the world for the FIA World Rally Championship in Spring 2008.

But before taking its bow on the global stage, a full dress rehearsal will be held from May 10-12 as Jordan hosts the leading round of the FIA Middle East Championship.

Drivers from across the Middle East will join a sprinkling of European hopefuls for what has become know as one of the most unique sporting events in the world.

The new-look Jordan Rally, unveiled in 2006 after 12 months of extensive reshaping, includes sensational stages in and around the Jordan Valley, swooping as low as 400m below sea level. The challenge also heads north with the Rumman forests providing challenging routes at more than 1,000m above sea level.

Since immersing itself within the FIA WRC community, Jordan has listened and the lessons learned have been converted into hundreds of thousands of man-hours to create this new look Jordan Rally.

The heart of the rally will be centralized at the historic Dead Sea with the Service Park, Hotels, Rally HQ and press centre located within walking distance of each other. The stages, most of which are also under sea level, all fall within 60 kms of the Service Park to create one of the most compact rallies in the world.

To ensure Jordan’s many national treasures are captured, the event will enjoy a spectacular launch in the heart of Amman with tens of thousands of spectators expected to enjoy the atmosphere.

Other world famous tourist attractions like the Baptism Site and Mount Nebo will also come into the cameramen’s focus.

With an army of trained volunteers and marshals at its disposal, Jordan Motorsport is ready to take rallying in the region to its ultimate level. The Jordan Government, Armed Forces, Police, Amman Municipality as well as hospitals and hotels are firmly behind the country’s efforts.

The FIA WRC represents a fresh new challenge for all involved with the Jordan Rally, and it is a challenge that is being met head on ready for motor sports’ most exciting Championship to becomes truly global and visit its final frontier in 2008…. the new Middle East.