HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein has expressed his confidence in the future of the Jordan Rally, the Middle East's only World Rally Championship round.
The Prince, who has been present during the whole rally & is chairman of Jordan Motorsport, has been an influential figure in bringing the event to Jordan. He also has said that the event is willing to adopt changes that will ensure it will run in the future.
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein said in an interview: “I’m confident if they [North One Sport and the FIA] are looking at it as a Middle East event. We’ve demonstrated we can host a very good WRC event and world-class event. I hope we will be seriously considered [for the calendar].
“We built the facilities for this rally based on what we were told the FIA and the organisers and on what North One wanted, which was a very compact rally with everything close by. We said [at the outset] we could have showcased some desert stages, we were told: “No, we don’t want desert stages.”
“What we did this year, in having the Jerash start was nice and different. We started the race from there, rather than just a ceremonial start. Somebody asked me why we weren’t doing it in Petra? We could have done Petra, we’ve also thought of Aqaba and Wadi Rum and the beautiful desert areas up there, but we were told: “That’s not what FIA wants.” For me, yes, we will try to adapt, but if we are asked to run the event next year, it’s going to be pretty much as you see it, unless they come out with a very clear and strong message about what they want to do in the future and we have time to be able to adapt to it.”
“We’ve invested - as Jordan - quite a lot in the infrastructure that’s been put into place,” he said. “If we did look at moving, that’s an additional cost, and we’d have to weigh it with the benefits. If we really see the WRC is regaining its stature and it’s where we think it should be: a very, very solid - it was an excellent brand and it is still a good brand, but we need to make it an excellent brand, then yes, we’ll look at moving.”
Rumours stating that the entire event could move south to Aqaba have been circulating. When put to the Prince, he said that it was possible but would incur added cost.
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