Service Park to be completed on time to welcome the world

The Service Park, which houses the competing cars along with entertainment and cultural activity, is currently taking shape less just 1km from the rally headquarters and its location, overlooking the famous Dead Sea, is set to provide one of the world's most spectacular sporting venues.

A huge joint effort between the Army and the Ministry of Housing Public Works is preparing a previously rugged patch of land totaling 50,000 square metres to provide a brand new Service Park which will become the long term hub for the biggest sporting and social event ever to reach Jordan.

Work on the new facility got under way at the turn of the year and is expected to be completed by March 31.

"The Service Park is one of the most important features so we took our time to ensure that, first, we pinpointed the best locations and, secondly, that we could prepare something that meets the world class standards of the WRC," said HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Chairman of Jordan Motorsport which manages and organises the event.

"Carrying out this work is a serious message to the WRC family that we will do whatever it takes to ensure that this prestigious championship considers Jordan as its long term partner."

The Service Park has been constructed after taking into account the views of the teams, officials and media who have all helped to create the new look Jordan Rally which has been completely revamped and tailor made for the WRC.

All of the stages are now located within a 40km radius of the Dead Sea headquarters and will be completed with their finishing touches once the rainy season finishes towards mid-March.

The Service Park is always a favourite venue with fans. It allows them to get close up to the big stars of world rallying as well as to enjoy the ambience of a truly global event. The media will be well catered for within the Service Park with a satellite media centre being set up with the basic facilities to allow them to carry out their work while away from the main press centre.

Up to four locations were identified as possible options for a Service Park venue but it was finally settled on the Dead Sea after taking heed of the advice from experienced WRC visitors to the Kingdom.

The 2008 Jordan Rally WRC will be broadcasted across the world, providing a positive platform to promote the Kingdom's charms to a global audience approaching one billion viewers.