Kingdom receives glowing FIA reports for both WRC and Middle East events

Amman, Jordan: HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein has praised the FIA and the World Rally Championship (WRC) community after the Jordan Rally was selected for the 2011 calendar.

Just three weeks after hosting a hugely successful second WRC event, Jordan was confirmed for next year, joining the likes of Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Germany and Great Britain as one of 13 elite events which look set to form the long term calendar. It has been penned in for the weekend of April 17.

“It is a just reward for all the hard work that has been undertaken by Jordan over the last five years to become recognised as one of the world’s great rallies in such a short space of time,” said HRH Prince Feisal, Chairman of Jordan Motorsport. “I would like to thank the FIA under the Presidency of Jean Todt who attended our event for its duration and was instrumental in supporting us. We have also received tremendous backing from our many friends within the WRC family and we look forward to welcoming them back to Jordan in 2011.

“I have always said that Jordan is willing to become a long-term partner for the WRC to work with its stakeholders and ensure it can return to the glory years that it once enjoyed. The coming years are going to be vital for the longevity of WRC and we will play whatever part we can to develop the sport as a whole in the long term.”

The 2010 Jordan Rally was won by six-time world champion Sebastien Loeb who described the event as ‘world class’. It has since received a glowing ‘Observers report’ from the FIA and early statistics show that it was watched in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Jordan made the audacious decision to become the first event since Japan in 2003 to combine a round of the regional series with a WRC event on the same weekend. That decision was vindicated by the FIA reports for both events which praised all the organizational aspects.

The Middle East Rally Championship event was held on the last two days of the three-day rally weekend and Jordan’s meticulous planning ensured all potentially tricky issues were addressed.

An incredible 65 cars representing 26 countries were entered and the action centred around the breathtaking location of the Dead Sea and drew widespread acclaim for its spectacular launch in the provincial Roman city of Jerash.

2011 WRC calendar

13 February - Sweden
06 March - Mexico
27 March - Portugal
17 April - Jordan
08 May - Italy
29 May - Argentina
19 June - Greece
31 July - Finland
21 August - Germany
11 September - Australia
02 October - France
23 October - Spain
13 November - Great Britain