Interview with His Majesty King Abdullah II

AP: Your Majesty, tell us what were you doing in this car?

King Abdullah: Moving pretty quickly.

We decided that it's been a long time that we've been able to support the International Rally here in Jordan. So for old times' sake, so to speak, we ran a few stages as a zero car.

This car was built in Jordan. So we decided it must be appropriate in support of younger rally drivers to take this car out and run the opening route, which is what the zero car does. And I haven't been behind a steering wheel of a rally car for a long time. So it is good to be back.

AP: Your Majesty, tell us more about this car. Where was it made?

King Abdullah: This car is designed for many reasons here in Jordan. It's a leisure car that we're hoping the Tourism Ministry will take down south for tourists.

It's also a very inexpensive vehicle that can be used by younger ralliers that can't really afford cars. We can provide them the shells. It takes a multitude of engines and gear boxes. So, it allows our young Jordanians to be able to afford a very inexpensive car for rallies. And, hopefully, we can build it up into a Group A or Group B car.

Also, it has its military applications.

AP: Your zero car just inspected the track. Is it clear?

King Abdullah: We inspected the track, which is usually the role of a zero car.

Yes, it's clear. It's been dusty today, but the rally has been going on very well. And I wish all the success to all our participants.

Excerpts from AP wire report of the above interview

In a trail of dust, the racing car darted to a finishing post on a desert track with King Abdullah II behind the wheel.

His 15.35 kilometre (9.5 mile) drive Friday was in fact an inspection of the bumpy track on which 22 competitors in the Gauloise International Rally are tested for driving skills, stamina and how well maintained are their vehicles.

It was also a reminder of the king's own car racing days prior to his surprise choice in January 1999 by his father, the late King Hussein, as heir to the Jordanian throne.

Abdullah is known to many Jordanians as the number one athlete, with a passion for rugged sports like auto racing, scuba diving and parachuting.

They are typical hobbies for a man who spent most of the last 20 years in the army, where he commanded an elite unit in charge of internal security and protection of the Royal family.

His new duties have forced him to put aside some of his youthful sports, but Abdullah often shows up in events like Friday's rally, soccer or basketball matches accompanied by other members of the Royal family.

At the race track Friday, Abdullah drove a Black Iris, a vehicle named after Jordan's national flower. It is designed by the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau, a centre founded four years ago to design multipurpose vehicles for civilian and military use.

In blue jeans and a white T-shirt, Abdullah steered his double-engine turbo vehicle through winding and rugged desert paths, sliding at sharp curves as a helicopter carrying army escorts hovered overhead.

The two-day rally, which began on Thursday, comprises 23 stages with a total distance of 686 kilometres (425 miles). It drew competitors from at least 15 countries from the Middle East, Europe and Australia.

The event is sponsored by the French firm Sieta, which markets the cigarette brands of Gauloises and Gitans.