The 36th Rally of Lebanon proved a successful event last year when 38 drivers from Lebanon, Qatar and Kuwait competed for different category honours. It was only normal for everyone to expect a similar level of success for the 37th running of the event.
The big news perhaps this year is Khaled Al-Qassimi and Nasser Al-Attiyah’s absences, the former due to security concerns, while Al-Attiyah will have his hands full with the eighth round of the 2014 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup that is set to take place in Poland. The rally will also heavily miss the late Misfer Al-Marri who succumbed to illness earlier this year. Many local drivers have also announced that they will skip this year’s event, including Gilbert Bannout and Chafic Boulos, who both have other obligations, and Joseph Hindy, who hoped for better organization and media coverage.
However, security tensions did not stop other Middle East drivers from confirming their presence. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Abdulla Al-Kuwari, Mshary Althefiri, Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah, Nada Zaidan and Edith Weiss will all take the start in Thursday night’s super special stage.
It will be business as usual for Roger Feghali who aims to secure a record 12th victory at the event. Unlike last year when he a drove a Fiesta RRC, Roger will sit behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4, and the only two drivers realistically capable of challenging him for the win are Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari who’s driving a Fiesta RRC and Abdulla Al-Kuwari in the Fiesta R5.
After two years driving a MINI John Cooper Works RRC, Abdo Feghali returns to Group N in a Lancer Evo X and will face tough competition from Eddy Abou Karam and Nicolas Amiouni, in addition to Tamer Ghandour and Rodrigue Rahi who could always surprise. Group N is one of two busy categories this year as it comprises 14 of the total 31 drivers.
The front-wheel drive class will possibly be the most interesting this year. Defending FWD champion Robert Aaraj is facing many serious drivers including Henry Massaad, Bassel Abou Hamdan and Naji Stephan, the latter who returns to rallying in a Motortune-prepped Peugeot 208 R2. Similar to Group N, the front-wheel drive class will include 14 drivers.
The 37th Rally of Lebanon will most likely be another walk in the park for Roger Feghali, but it simply is foolish to assert anything in Motorsport. The battles in the Group N and front-wheel drive classes are definitely something to look forward to this year.