Racing agenda for 2016 set

AMMAN — Jordan Motorsport, the sporting authority for all motorsport events in Jordan, has revealed its calendar of activities for 2016 with a total of 19 events including speed tests, rallying, karting and drifting.

According to Othman Naseef, CEO of Jordan Motorsport, the board of directors headed by HRH Prince Feisal approved the agenda.

“The board approved the budget and agenda for the 2016 season and discussed the annual report of the 2015 season and we are all looking forward for the 2016 season with more development and better organisation for the events,” he told The Jordan Times.

“We have an ambitious plan for this year with 19 events: five speed tests, five karting races, five drifting and four rallies. The first speed test will be held on February 12,” he added.

Drifting was introduced for the first time as part of the agenda in 2014 and quickly gained a lot of fans in a short time.

Meanwhile, the Jordan Rally, the third round of the Middle East Rally Championship will be held May 5-7.

“The fan bases are growing positively as more people are reading about a certain sport and getting acquainted with its regulations and heroes. People are following auto events more closely. For example drifting, today they know more about it then back in 2014 when we first introduced it,” Naseef said.

“Last year we had more focused participation from women drivers, which encouraged more females to look into these sports and try to be a part of it. This season we expect women newcomers to the sports,” he added.

Women drivers such as veteran driver Nancy Majali and newcomers Lina Hadidi and Marina Habaybeh made a positive impact on auto sports in the Kingdom with their enthusiasm and dedication.

“We hope to see more women drivers who will comprise a new generation of drivers to take on the male-dominated sports and I believe we will have more drivers in 2016,” he said.