Jordan thrilled to retain WRC date

Jordan's inclusion was one of the biggest changes to come out of the World Motor Sport Council's recent fax vote on the 2011 calendar, with the proposed calendar from WRC promoter North One Sport having listed Abu Dhabi rather than Jordan.

Organisers of the Jordan Rally were said to have been both angered and disappointed at North One Sport's initial decision, which has subsequently been reversed in favour of the Dead Sea event. Abu Dhabi will run a candidate event next season and is anticipated to join the series in 2012. The two Middle East events could rotate or run side-by-side in years to come.

"It [the calendar place] is a just reward for all the hard work that has been undertaken by Jordan over the last five years to become recognised as one of the world's great rallies in such a short space of time," said HRH Prince Feisal, chairman of Jordan Motorsport.

"I would like to thank the FIA under the presidency of Jean Todt who attended our event for its duration and was instrumental in supporting us. We have also received tremendous backing from our many friends within the WRC family and we look forward to welcoming them back to Jordan in 2011.

"I have always said that Jordan is willing to become a long-term partner for the WRC to work with its stakeholders and ensure it can return to the glory years that it once enjoyed. The coming years are going to be vital for the longevity of WRC and we will play whatever part we can to develop the sport as a whole in the long term."