Jordan Rally attracts 21 starters this weekend
Defending MERC champion Abdulaziz al Kuwari and his co-driver Marshall Clarke won the Jordan National Championship last season, but the Qatari is not scoring points this year. He is solely targeting the FIA event in a Citroën C3. Al Fayez was the runner-up in the national series in 2024 with Shadi Shaban finishing third. Shaban also topped the standings in the NR4 group with Group MT success falling to Salama al Ghammaz and Hashim al Kalbouneh winning Group T in his Black Iris.
Hashim al Kalbouneh
Shaker Jweihan is the defending regional MERC2 champion and he will be aiming for national podium success in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. Palestine's Hamada Uda also drives the latest version of the Mitsubishi and there are a fleet of Evo IXs for Shaban, Mohammed al Shorafa, Lebanon's Joanna Hassoun, Issa Abu Jamous and Fadi Dhashan. Fayez al Ghammaz and Faisal al Ghammaz wheel out older versions of the all-conquering Mitsubishi. Oman's Zakariya al Aamri is the current leader of the FIA MERC2 category and is also chasing Jordan National Championship points in his Subaru. Bader al Helalat, Amjad al Sheikh and Asem Aref drive older versions of the renowned Impreza rally car. Al Kalbouneh returns to action with his Black Iris and last year's FIA Middle East Baja Cup's Stock champion Majed al Thunayyan is making the trip from Saudi Arabia to tackle the event in a Nissan Patrol. The Jordanian trio of Yahia Sobar (Toyota FJ), Karim Badawi (Suzuki) and Farah Zakaria (Can-Am) round off the impressive national field.
This year's Jordan Rally is supported by Zain Jordan, Guarantee Travel Group, Hala and Bliss FM, Markazia and Toyota Gazoo Racing Jordan.
Shaikh Bader al Fayez
2025 Jordan National Rally – Entry List:
3. Abdullah al Rawahi (OMA)/Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) Škoda Fabia R5 Rally 2
6. Sheikh Bader al Fayez (JOR)/Vili Oslaj (SLO) Škoda Fabia Rally 2
7. Ihab al Shurafa (JOR)/Ahmad Jankhout (JOR) Škoda Fabia Evo Rally 2
10. Shaker Jweihan (JOR)/Aisvydas Paliukenas (LTU) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
13. Zakariya al Aamri (OMA)/Mohammed al Mazroui (OMA) Subaru Impreza N14
15. Hamada Uda (PAL)/Mustafa Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
20. Shadi Shaban (JOR)/Samer Issa (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
21. Mohammed al Shorafa (JOR)/Yazan Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
22. Joanna Hassoun (LBN)/Sami Fleifel (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
30. Issa Abu Jamous (JOR)/Saqer Abu Jamous (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
31. Fadi Dahshan (JOR)/Raed Dahshan (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
32. Fayez al Ghammaz (JOR)/Salameh al Ghammaz (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
33. Bader al Helalat (JOR)/Amer Mousa (JOR) Subaru Impreza
34. Faisal al Ghammaz (JOR)/Mamdouh Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII
35. Amjad al Shaikh (JOR)/Abdullah Ibdah (JOR) Subaru Impreza
36. Asem Aref (JOR)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Subaru Impreza
37. Hashim al Kalbouneh (JOR)/Dergham Rustom (JOR) Black Iris Prototype
38. Majid al Thunayyan (KSA)/Fahed al Sufyani (KSA) Nissan Patrol Y61
39. Yahia Sobar (JOR)/Hamzeh Qabshoura (JOR) Toyota FJ Cruiser
40. Karim Badawi (JOR)/Walid Shabsogh (JOR) Suzuki Samarai
41. Farah Zakaria (JOR)/Bayan Zakaria (JOR) Can-Am Maverick
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Oman's Hamed al Wahaibi claims debut win at Hungarian Baja
VARAPALOTA, Hungary: Omani champion Hamed al Wahaibi has achieved a remarkable victory in his debut at the Hungarian Baja, a round of the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. Driving a BRP Can-Am Maverick R for the RX Sport team, managed by Emirati champion Rashid al Ketbi, Al Wahaibi secured first place in the Side-by-Side 'SSV' category and an impressive fourth place overall. Al Wahaibi chose to compete in this event to gain more experience and prepare for future challenges, despite it being part of the European Cup and not the World Cup. In the early stages, Al Wahaibi took a cautious approach, not pushing too hard during the qualifying stage and the first special stage. As a result, he finished the first two legs in second place within his class. Oman's Hamed al Wahaibi claims debut win at Hungarian Baja However, Al Wahaibi then unleashed the car's full potential, showing his true speed. He overcame a 20-second deficit to win the second special stage and narrow the gap to just 19 seconds. He then took the lead in the third special stage and advanced to fifth place in the overall standings. Al Wahaibi maintained his strong pace, winning the final stage and extending his lead over home favourite Balazs Molnar to 17 minutes and 30.2 seconds. This victory secured his win in the Side-by-Side class and a fourth-place finish in the overall standings. Following the race, Al Wahaibi stated, "I am very happy with this result. We didn't face any problems, and I must thank the team, champion Rashid al Ketbi, and everyone involved for their exceptional and tireless efforts." He added, "The next rally will be in Portugal. Our goal is to continue gaining experience in this type of rallying and keep achieving strong results."
Observer
23-07-2025
- Observer
Trump announces 'massive' Japan trade deal
Tokyo - Donald Trump announced Tuesday a 'massive' trade deal with Japan, marking a key breakthrough for major US trade partners as they scramble to strike agreements before the end of the month. In an attempt to slash his country's colossal trade deficit, the US president has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive 'reciprocal' tariffs if they do not hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1. |The breakthrough makes Japan one of five countries to have signed an agreement -- along with Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines -- after Trump promised in April he would get '90 deals in 90 days'. 'We just completed a massive Deal with Japan, perhaps the largest Deal ever made,' he wrote on his Truth Social platform. He said that under the deal, 'Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 billion into the United States, which will receive 90% of the Profits'. He did not provide further details on the unusual investment plan, but said it 'will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs'. Japanese exports to the United States were already subject to a 10 percent tariff, which would have risen to 25 percent on August 1 without a deal. Duties of 25 percent on Japanese autos -- an industry accounting for eight percent of Japanese jobs -- were also already in place, plus 50 percent on steel and aluminium. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that the auto levy had now been cut to 15 percent, sending Japanese car stocks soaring, with Toyota and Mitsubishi up around 14 percent each. 'We are the first (country) in the world to reduce tariffs on automobiles and auto parts, with no limits on volume,' he told reporters. 'By protecting what needs to be protected, we continued the negotiations to reach an agreement that meets the national interest of both Japan and the United States,' Ishiba added. 'In this agreement with President Trump, I think we were able to realize such an agreement.' - Rice imports - However, Japan's trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa, who secured the deal on his eighth visit to Washington, said the 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium would remain. Akazawa also said that increased defence spending by Japan -- something Trump has pressed for -- was not part of the agreement. Trump said Tuesday that Japan has also agreed to 'open their Country to Trade, including Cars and Trucks, Rice and certain other Agricultural Products, and other things'. Rice imports are a sensitive issue in Japan, and Ishiba's government -- which lost its upper house majority in elections on Sunday -- had previously ruled out any concessions. Japan currently imports 770,000 tonnes of rice tariff-free under its World Trade Organization commitments, and Ishiba said it would import more US grain within this. Ishiba said Wednesday that the deal does not 'sacrifice' Japan's agricultural sector. Tatsuo Yasunaga, the chair of Japan Foreign Trade Council, welcomed the trade deal announcement but said the business community needed to see details to assess its impact. 'I highly commend the fact that this major milestone has been achieved and dispelled the uncertainty that private companies had been concerned about,' Yasunaga said. Naomi Omura, an 80-year-old voter, said it was 'disappointing that Japan cannot act more strongly' towards the United States. Tetsuo Momiyama, 81, said that Ishiba 'is finished... It's good timing for him to go.' Reports claimed Wednesday that he aims to step down soon following the election debacle. - China talks - Trump has been under pressure to wrap up trade pacts after promising a flurry of deals ahead of his deadline. The White House on Tuesday also laid out details of a deal with Indonesia, which would see it ease critical mineral export restrictions and also face a 19 percent tariff, down from a threatened 32 percent. Trump also said that levies on the Philippines, another close strategic US ally, would be cut by one percentage point to 19 percent after hosting President Ferdinand Marcos.
Muscat Daily
15-07-2025
- Muscat Daily
Last chance to save big with Mitsubishi's Cool summer offers
General Automotive Company (GAC), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Oman, is offering unbeatable value and exclusive benefits across the entire lineup — but only until July 17, 2025! This is your final opportunity to take advantage of Mitsubishi's limited-time Summer Campaign. With EMIs starting from just RO 89, now is the perfect time to upgrade your vehicle. Additionally, customers who act quickly will receive free service for up to 5 years or 100,000 km, free insurance and registration, Llumar window tint, a RO 50 gift voucher, and a 6-year unlimited kilometer warranty for total peace of mind. 'This summer, our goal is to offer customers cool savings and unbeatable value on the Mitsubishi range,' said Manoj Ranade, General Manager of GAC. 'Whether you're planning road trips or everyday drives, this campaign provides the flexibility and support necessary to enjoy your summer with confidence and comfort.' From the bold new XForce to the rugged Montero Sport, the family-friendly Xpander to the dependable L200, every Mitsubishi model is included—but only for a few more days. Visit your nearest Mitsubishi showroom in Athaiba, Mabela, Barka, Sohar, Nizwa, Ibri, Sur, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, or Salalah, or call/WhatsApp 24 500 500 today. Hurry—offers expire on July 17, 2025! Seize this cool summer offer before it's gone!
