Jordan MotorFest a roaring success!

Jordan

Published: 2017-08-29 19:01

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 20:29


Racers at a pitstop before the start of the next event
Racers at a pitstop before the start of the next event

Last weekend, Amman Exhibition Park hosted Jordan MotorFest, literally marking Jordan as a prime location for those with a passion for combining cars and adrenaline.

Mr. Othman Nassid, the Chief Executive Officer of Jordan Motor Sport, described MotorFest as "the first time Jordan Motor Sport organizes an event purely for motorsport".

The festival took place over a period of two days, featuring multiple events including stunt shows, races, vehicle exhibitions, live entertainment from JadaL and El Morabba3, as well as food and drink stands dotting the venue.

 Standing over skidmarks zigzagging across the concrete, we interviewed Nassid in the midst of blasting music and roaring engines, making it difficult to stand still. Hearts pumping as we yelled questions, Nassid remained calm and composed; he’s clearly been doing this for a while.

He stated that motorsports are increasingly popular in Jordan and the Middle East, and the event was both a “celebration of the sport and promotion of safety standards”. The committee is actively searching for young drivers to promote their love of motorsports, and sponsor competitiveness in upcoming rallies.

According to Nassid, there are multiple events hosted throughout the month dedicated to motorsports, but Jordan MotorFest is the first event of its magnitude dedicated exclusively to motorsports.

"Our purpose for hosting the festival was to introduce motorsport to a wider audience. We wanted to display low-budget cars doing extreme things," he added. Nassid believes that MotorFest is crucial to encourage youngsters with a passion for motorsports to practice in safe, controlled and professional environments.

In the distance, applause erupts marking the conclusion of the event taking place: the drifting portion of the festival. Slyly parking his car to the front of the lineup, out steps the winner immediately taking pictures with admiring fans.

Rafat Haroon is a household name in the drifting community, noted for winning last year’s Red Bull Motorsport championship echoed Nassid’s statements. Unfazed by sweat dripping from his brow, Haroon was immediately responsive to our questions.

“Jordan has formally recognized drifting as a form of motorsport, and the outreach we have received for younger audiences has been growing over the past three years.” Haroon hopes that more events will be hosted in the future, particularly with larger events that can host other competitors from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Egypt to turn it into a regional experience.

“Drifting is a part of my life. I must drift at least two or three hours a day. Unfortunately, drifting is very costly and time consuming, which is why we hope to get more sponsors to lower costs for our competitors,” says Haroon, feeling optimistic that after 10 years in the sport, competitors are now practicing in formal venues.

Haroon is a strong advocate of high safety regulations, volunteering to participate in Jordan MotorFest as an independent competitor. He uses platforms such as this to promote his own sponsorship, announcing to us for the first time that on the 27th of October, he will host his own racing event with the participation of 16 other competitors from across the Middle East.

Local bands JadaL and El Morabba3 rocked Jordan MotorFest to a triumphant close, which we met backstage to discuss Amman’s indie rock scene.

You can read the exclusive interview with JadaL frontman Mahmoud Radaideh here.