Sunday 24 / November / 2024
MUSCAT: Jordan seems to be a happy hunting ground for Oman’s talented rally driver Abdullah Al Rawahi. It has been just over a month that the 26-year-old created history by becoming the first Omani to win the prestigious Jordan Rally, the third round of 2023 FIA-Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), along with his co-driver Ata Al Hmoud from Jordan.
On Friday, Al Rawahi and Al Hmoud wrote another glorious chapter as they claimed their third successive Jordan National Rally title.
The hat-trick of title triumphs in Jordan National Rally underlines the command and control the pair has on the challenging circuit, situated around the Dead Sea.
Al Rawahi and his navigator led through all the stages of the 2023 Jordan National Rally and the victory comes almost a month after their Jordan Rally win when they defeated rallying stalwart Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah of Qatar.
Jordanian driver Shaker Jwehan and his navigator Mustafa Juma finished second behind Al Rawahi and Hmoud on Friday while the third place was claimed by Sheikh Bader Al Fayez and his navigator Imad Juma.
Speaking after the victory, Al Rawahi said: “It’s been a great result. To win a rally three times in a row is not easy. I have to thank my co-driver Ata Al Hmoud and my hard-working team for this title. It is extra sweet as this comes after just over a month of my title win at the prestigious FIA MERC Jordan Rally.”
He added: “To be back on the podium with the cup is an amazing feeling. I began my rallying career in Jordan, so success here is always close to my heart.”
The Jordan National Rally comprised four stages: the Jordan River stage 1 and 2 and the Baptism stage 1 and 2. The total distance of the rally was 276.48 kms, of which 104.26 kms were special stages.
During the first stage (40.79 kms), Al Rawahi topped the stage with a time of 28.11 minutes, and Jwaihan was second with a time of 31.31 minutes. Al Fayez was third with a time of 32.03 minutes.
In the second stage (11.34 kms), Al Rawahi maintained the lead and topped the stage with a time of 6.49 minutes, and Jwaihan remained in second place with a time of 6.50 minutes. Sami Fleifel took third place with a time of 6.52 minutes. Al Fayez finished fifth with a time of 6.56 minutes.
Al Rawahi was unstoppable as he clinched the third stage (40.79 kms) with a time of 30.24 minutes while Jweihan was second with a time of 31.37 minutes. Fleifel remained in third place with a time of 32.38 minutes, and Al Fayez came fourth with a time of 32.46 minutes.
During the last stage (11.34 kms), Al Rawahi continued his impressive display and topped the stage with a time of 6.31 minutes while Jwaihan was second (6.53 minutes) and Al Fayez came in third with a time 6.57 minutes.
