National Rally Championship drivers vie for podium finish

AMMAN — The fifth and final round of the National Rally Championship kicks off on Friday with the participation of 10 drivers at the Dead Sea area.

The crucial round will see Ihab Shurafa, who is leading the standings with 60 points, with hopes for his first champion title seeking to take away a precious win from second-placed Khaled Juma, with 43 points, who will be giving his best in this round.

Salameh Qamaz is in the third place with 40 points with hopes of having this single opportunity to move to second place at this season’s rally finale.

The fourth round witnessed the win by Juma’ and co-driver Mohammed Juma’ who clocked 40m43s in their Mitsubishi EVO 10, leaving Shurafa and co-driver Hazem Atteyat in second place (41m449s) in their Mitsubishi EVO 9, and Salameh Qamaz and co-driver Faisal Qamaz in third spot (42m20s) in their Mitsubishi EVO 5. 

Amjad Sheikh and co- driver Abdullah Edah settled in fourth place (43m20s).

Drivers will have to go through Bahra and Ghernata three times each with a total distance of 198.3km, including 70.86km of special stages at the service park B at the Dead Sea.

Othman Naseef, Jordan Motorsport CEO told The Jordan Times that this round will be the ultimate nerve-breaking event.

“We are expecting a lot of tension and challenge among drivers especially those who are seeking a spot at the podium and those who are willing to do everything to increase their points,” he said.

“Usually, the final round makes drivers especially those who are close to tasting the title very focused on one thing and that is giving everything they have got to be in the lead, and this is what we are going to see. This season is almost over with a couple of event still in the pipeline,” Naseef added.