Changes planned for Jordan Rally

Organisers of the Jordan Rally are promising "fresh challenges" for competitors contesting the fourth round of the 2011 World Rally Championship.

Based at the Dead Sea Resort, the event will feature 320 kilometres of competitive stage action when it runs from 14-16 April.

The gravel event first appeared on the world championship calendar in 2008. Its Saturday finish, which is a rarity in the WRC, is to respect the traditional Arabic weekend.

Clerk of the course Randa Nabulsi said: “The route has taken all the best aspects of 2010 and added some fresh challenges for the teams. The previous two events have received glowing reports from the WRC family and we are working hard to ensure this year’s event is even bigger and better.”

While the ancient Roman city of Jerash will once again host the ceremonial start of the rally on the morning of 14 April, the Rumman Forest stage, which took place close by, has been removed from the itinerary as part of efforts by the rally organisers to “ease the pressure on drivers, spectators and media reaching the early stages”, according to a statement.

The twisty Ma’in stage is a new addition to the schedule and organisers are currently supervising the construction of roads that will take competitors from below sea level through to 600 metres above.

In further changes, the water splash on the popular Dead Sea stage - located at the lowest point on Earth - is back on the competitive route, while plans are in place to include two spectacular jumps.

Jordan Rally bosses have again chosen the impressive King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre to house the event headquarters and media centre, while the service park will again overlook the Dead Sea and across to the Palestinian hills.

Competitors contesting the FIA’s Middle East Rally Championship will tackle a separate rally held on days two and three of the main event.