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Motorsport
Alone in Jordan: The Israeli motorcyclists who returned from the Baja Jordan rally
About a week ago, Rotem Costa and Amit Sadeh jumped into the Jordan Rally;
Two days later, Amit finished in fourth place, Rotem in seventh place.
This is a respectable achievement for two relatively fresh bikers who set out for the first international race, without any assistance
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Motorsport
real
Motorcycles
Jordan
Rami Gilboa
Friday, 26 March 2021, 10:55 Updated: 11:12
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The vast expanses of Wadi Ram await us just across the Jordanian border (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
Rotem Costa stands in the starting position for Baja Jordan's No. 1 stage, pumping his Husqvarna Rally-Replica 450 engine, a professional racing motorcycle, with gas blows.
A 15-year fantasy and intense preparations went through his mind as he waited for launch;
Wadi Ram's mighty dune towered in front of him, with the Jordanian army 'Black Hawk' helicopter hovering above it.
Rotem released a clutch, opened a throttle and flew up the dune, just as he had imagined this moment - his first participation in an international rally.
It was also the premiere participation of Israeli motorcyclists in the Jordan Rally, sponsored by the International Motorcycle Federation FIM.
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Rotem Costa with the professional Husqvarna-450, finished the race with the power of tenacity and perseverance (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
Eight minutes before him, a field colleague jumped in his KTM EXE 350 saddle, also fulfilling a longed-for dream.
For both bikers it was the culmination of a long-standing dream, and intense preparations that began recently.
The idea to participate in the Jordan Rally is due after the rally became an official event in the FIM series this year.
Two years ago, Jordan Raz Heiman and Hillel Segal participated in the rally as part of the FIA races, this time the axis was also opened to Israeli motorcyclists.
Field Fellow on the KTM 350, achieved an excellent sporting achievement in his international race (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
The opening of the Jordanian race for Israeli participants is an important news for riders and drivers of the races in Israel.
This is the first time that Israelis can participate in a global desert race, so close and accessible.
This means a minimum of principals and expenses for transporting the crew to remote continents (moving to Jordan at the Sheikh Hussein crossing), a short time for principals, and the possibility for escorts to join.
In 2021 only a couple of our heroes and two other teams with a Pajero participated in the race, due to the limitations of the Corona;
Until the last minute it was not clear if the race would take place at all, what the arrival arrangements and isolation administrations would be.
In 2022 it will look different but this year, only Rotem Costa and Amit Sadeh hoisted the biker flag in Jordan;
Next to them are two other Israeli teams that competed in cars, within the framework of the Jordanian league.
Israeli crews cross the border into Jordan, two motorcycles and two Pajero vehicles (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
The rally lasted two days and its route covered 860 kilometers, of which 560 in three rating sections.
It's not one of the long races (some days at Rally Dakar stretch over a similar distance) but it's very selective, replete with dunes and rocky terrain, with significant navigation difficulties.
Due to the Corona's limitations, not many Europeans arrived, and 16 motorcyclists and about ten cars settled on the starting line.
The bikers are dwarfed by the mountains of Wadi Rum, and the endless dunes (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
The mountains are higher, on the way back
The team expectations were first and foremost, to finish the race on two wheels.
As those who have competed to date in only five Israeli Baja races that are limited in length to about 200 kilometers a day, they have not had experience in such a long and strenuous ride, without any assistance in the overnight parking lot;
This too is a matter of lack of budget.
The secondary goal was to finish within the opening ten, this achievement was also fully realized.
The truth is that a colleague could have climbed the podium in third place had he not been stuck with a technical glitch in the last link section, after the end of the ranking sections.
Another 680 miles, and we're done!
(Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
The loneliness of long-distance riders
The first race day included two grading sections of 130 + 200 kilometers, and another 200 kilometers link.
The route was in a 'star' format with departure and return to Aqaba, it is very convenient for administrators.
Rotem started at an excellent pace, but a navigation error cost him during a long swan.
He managed to get back on track and continue riding, but the lost time was in his backyard;
Towards dark, the organizers arrested the riders and drivers who were still in the area, and returned them to Aqaba.
As a result, Rotem suffered a penalty kick, which completely distanced him from the coveted podium picture.
Rotem finished the first race day in position 7, Amit finished 5th.
Had it not been for a glitch in the last link section, a colleague would have climbed the podium (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
For Amit it was an amazing day, clean of mishaps and swans.
He kept pace with the race leaders;
In fact he spent most of the day close to the leading rider and winner of the race, Muhammad al-Blushi from the Emirates.
Given Amit's amateur motorcycle level and lack of international experience, this is a great achievement.
The crew finished handling the motorcycles around two in the morning, and fell for a short night’s sleep.
The second race day included 235 miles measured + 110 miles link;
Amit finished the ranking segment while giving it third place, but cruel is the rally world ... On his way to Aqaba, Amit's KTM began to stutter, apparently due to low quality fuel.
Amit managed to falter until the end point, coming after the roof time set by the organizers.
As a result he suffered penalty time and was pushed to a very respectable fourth place, among ourselves.
Rotem finished the race with a bruised knee and an improvised motorcycle, and a great appetite to compete abroad and in Dakar (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
Rotem also did not lick honey on the second day;
40 miles after the jump he crashed with the motorcycle, injured his knee and smashed the Husqvarna's fuel system.
Rotem tried to repair the damage but found that he was missing the necessary tools and parts.
Despite the physical and emotional trauma he tried to repair the fuel system as best he could, but in vain.
Suddenly a graceful rider came across the horizon who rallied to help Rotem - gave him water, an energy drink and most importantly, fuel pipes and basic repair tools.
The Queen of the Desert has disappeared beyond the horizon, while Rotem performs bypass surgery for the fuel pump.
After a 3.5-hour delay he continued on his way for another 170 miles, absorbing additional penalty time.
It turns out that there are no easy moments, in the first international rally.
The race experience is not always easy, but the satisfaction and achievements were very significant: as mentioned, Amit and Rotem came in fourth and seventh place, finished the race in one piece, learned a lot about preparing for the rally and preparing the motorcycle.
They went through an excellent and exciting experience, wanting to continue to specialize in the worlds of international rally.
It's not over yet (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
Wanted: Sponsor for Dakar 2022
For the 2021 race, Rotem and Amit organized at the last minute and managed to recruit a sponsor who assisted them with equipment and funding, "Motoline", the center for motor sports.
Participation in Baja Jordan is relatively cheap, as is the preparation and administration for the race.
But Baja Jordan is just the beginning;
The duo intends to participate this year in another FIM rally (Dubai or Andalusia rally, Morocco, the Silk Road or Brazil) to prepare for the real challenge, the coveted goal - this is of course participation in the Dakar Rally 2022, which will be held this time in Saudi Arabia.
For this purpose they need significant funding and will be happy to recruit any sponsor who can offer them significant cooperation and support;
For details: rotemcosta@gmail.com.
In addition to the "Motoline" that came to help, the motorcyclists would like to thank other factors that allowed them to race in Jordan - Niv Tzuri (CEO of the Motor Sports Association), Dmitry Kuznetsov (Director of the Sports Driving Authority), Raz Heiman (Rebbe of Baghdad) who accompanied them with equipment guidance And advice and of course, to the Jordanian 'Baja' organization on a wonderful and supportive reception in Jordan.
Juma Al-Prauna and navigator Muhammad al-Sana, on their way to the end of the rally (Photo: photo: @rally_zone)
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Also on four wheels
Two Israeli teams in Pajero vehicles also participated in the Jordan Rally.
Driver Jumaa Alprauna and navigator Muhammad al-Sanae brought the Blue Pajero to second place in the ‘locals’ category.
The first place in the FIA car rankings was won by the Saudi Yasser Aidan, in the John Cooper mini.
The second place in the cars went to the Dutchman Eric Van Loon, in the Toyota Hilux.
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