First ever WRC event in Middle East gets full marks - and picks up 'Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally' award.
The inaugural WRC event in Jordan last weekend has been deemed a success by those in the sport with BP Ford Abu Dhabi team director Malcolm Wilson amongst those to give it a very positive review.
Jordan's debut in the World Rally Championship marked the first ever event in the Middle East - and the first ever Arab rally to appear in the series since 1976, when Morocco hosted a round of the series.
Based on the shores of the Dead Sea, the event took place at the earth's lowest land point, at more than 400 metres below sea level and in total competitors tackled 22 speed tests covering around 360 competitive kilometres, the bulk of which were on purpose-built roads amid stunning Jordanian scenery.
With the final day unusually the longest and the events victor in doubt right to the end it was a thrilling setting for the fifth round in this year's championship.
"My compliments to the rally organisers," said BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally team director, Malcolm Wilson. "On their first time in the WRC, they created a classic event."
Wilson's number one driver, Mikko Hirvonen, who won the event, and Chris Atkinson, who also finished on the podium in third, also seemed pretty impressed even if it was a very difficult event with high temperatures, making it especially gruelling.
"Some sections of stages are the same nature of Cyprus - slow and twisty. Then it opens up like Finland, fast and flowing, but there are no trees and ditches. The surface is different so the rally is really unique," said Mikko.
"It's been interesting to come to a new country and the Middle East for the first time," added Atkinson. "I came a few days early and did the tourist things. The rally was really challenging. There were a lot of moments, spectators and plenty of action for television."
Atkinson's co-driver Stephane Prevot also felt it was a very positive addition to the WRC calendar: "Very good. It was not an easy rally. The stages were quite difficult. The organisation was fine, the marshals worked well. It was a very good event," he continued.
There were some reservations however, and Sebastien Ogier's co-driver Julien Ingrassia pointed out that the number of fans was a bit sparse at times and he believes the event will need to work on its publicity to get more spectators out on the stages in 2010, when it returns.
"This is a good rally. The organisation was very good and it was different. There were not too many people on the stages. They need to know more about rally," he confirmed.
While that may have been the case though, it was still very well received and the organisers' achievements were recognised when they were presented with the 'Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally' award at the finish.
"This weekend marks the culmination of years of hard work by Jordan to host a round of the World Rally Championship - the world's most dramatic form of motor-sport," said HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein.
"The Jordan Rally has proven to be worthy addition to the WRC calendar and has tested the skills of the best drivers the world has to offer. Abu Dhabi's recognition of our efforts is a timely tribute and we look forward to strengthening our ties with the UAE as the two principal Arab supporters of the World Rally Championship."
Jordan's bid to host a round of the WRC was announced in Monte Carlo in 2005, and after three years of lobbying and bidding by HRH Prince Faisal and Jordan Motorsport, the dream became a reality last weekend.
With over 1,000 people involved in the inaugural WRC Jordan Rally's management, officials from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority paid tribute to organisers for demonstrating the Arab world's capacity to successfully host leading international sporting events.
"In presenting this award to HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority recognises Jordan's monumental efforts to achieve its dream of hosting a round of the World Rally Championship," said Ahmed Hussein, deputy director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
"Jordan has worked very closely with all the parties involved in the sport; organisers, teams and drivers, to ensure that its debut WRC round would satisfy the extensive criteria required to hold such a complex event. They have also supported the WRC and motorsport in general for an incredibly long time, consistently demonstrating the values which Abu Dhabi stands for."
