KASLIK, LEBANON – In a festive, noisy atmosphere, the 45th Coral Rally of Lebanon got under way on Friday evening. The three-day event, organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL), finishes on Sunday.
The opening super special stage ran at the ATCL headquarters in Kaslik in front of a large crowd led by ATCL president lawyer Elie Assaf, secretary-general Camille Eddé, treasurer lawyer Gilbert Massihi, board members, motorsport committee head Imad Lahoud, event officials and FIA representatives. It was preceded by the traditional classic car display and spectacular drift demonstrations.
The rally is round four of the 2023 FIA Middle East Rally Championship, after Qatar, Oman and Jordan, and covers 634.43km, including 195.34km over 11 asphalt special stages in Keserwan, Jbeil, Batroun and the Metn.
The field is led by Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (last year’s winner and two-time champion) with Matthieu Baumel, and Lebanon’s Roger Feghali (record 15-time winner) with Joseph Matar. Before the start, the organisers confirmed 29 starters after Thursday evening’s scrutineering and administrative checks.
Saturday programme
The first car leaves the Fouad Chehab complex in Jounieh at 7:30am towards Jbeil and Amchit, climbing to Mansaf.
- SS2 and SS5 – Mansaf to Sebail (14.63km): via Chikhan, Gharzouz, Bkhaaz, Maad, Ghalboun and Bijje. Road closed 7:04am–10:04am and 12:21pm–3:21pm.
- SS3 and SS6 – Ain Aaya to Deir Billa (21.40km): via Kfarhay, Beqsmaya, Kaftoun, Majdel, Zakzouk, Wata Fares, Bzeiza and Chnata. Road closed 8:17am–11:17am and 1:34pm–4:34pm.
- SS4 and SS7 – Sourat to Dahr Abi Yaghi (26.12km): via Fteihat, Zein, Assia, Mrah el-Hajj, Alali, Mehmarch, Mar Mama and Masrah. Road closed 9:18am–12:18pm and 2:35pm–5:35pm.
The second loop starts at 1:02pm. After the last stage, the cars return via Bqaiaa, Draya, Jran and the Madfoun motorway to the service area at the Fouad Chehab complex in Jounieh from 5:35pm, entering parc fermé from 6:35pm to end the first section.