Officials at the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan announced its initial sponsorship plans for the 2004 Jordan International Rally, which takes place on May 20-22.

Tarek Tabaa, the recently-appointed chairman of the Jordan International Rally Organizing Committee, announced that drivers, officials, team personnel and members of the media would stay at the Amman Marriott Hotel, a major sponsor of the event.

"Royal Jordanian Airlines has been involved in transportation support and will fly international representatives into Amman from the GCC countries and from as far afield as Europe," said Tabaa.

RACJ officials announced that Marlboro will be the title sponsor of the event for a third successive season.

Incidentally, Marlboro has also supported individual drivers in the Middle East in recent seasons, including the multiple champion Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Bakhashab, Kuwait's Mohammed Al-Sarraf and Lebanese driver Roger Feghali.

Jordan International Rally Manager Ziad Louza outlined specific details about the event's three-day format and acknowledged further support from Peugeot and Masar, a technology company which provides wireless communications and video conferencing equipment.

"The third round of the Middle East Championship took place in Oman last weekend and attracted a strong entry," said Louza.

"We have carried out several detailed checks of the route and are confident that our visiting drivers will enjoy the special stages and the unique challenge of rallying in Jordan," added Louza.