KASLIK, LEBANON – The 46th Coral Rally of Lebanon, round three of the 2024 Lebanese Rally Championship, got under way on Friday afternoon. The start ceremony at the headquarters of the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) in Kaslik drew a big crowd, led by ATCL president lawyer Elie Assaf, vice-president Assaad Mirza, secretary-general Camille Eddé, treasurer lawyer Gilbert Massihi, motorsport committee head Imad Lahoud, board members, Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa, national sports committee director Sleiman Khattar, motorsport department head Gaby Kraiker, clerk of the course lawyer Ziad Jammous, rally officials and many motorsport fans.
The rally covers 636.70km, including 199.08km across 11 asphalt special stages in Keserwan, Jbeil, Batroun and the Metn. 29 cars take part, with Arab participation from Qatari driver Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah and Jordanian co-driver Musa Djiyerian.
Before the competition, 16 classic cars were displayed and each ran the opening super special. Former rally and hill climb champion Nabil Karam (“Billy”) gave a demonstration in the Porsche in which he won many titles. Drift shows followed, and at 5:03pm the official competition began with the first super special stage.
Assaf and Miss Lebanon gave the start signal. In a short speech, Assaf thanked everyone contributing to the event, held despite the difficult circumstances facing Lebanon and the region, and wished everyone success. The cars then went to parc fermé at the President Fouad Chehab complex in Jounieh.
Saturday programme
The first car leaves the Fouad Chehab complex at 8:15am towards Jbeil, Amchit and Mansaf.
- SS2 and SS5 – Blat to Tourzaya (17.36km): via Bechelli, Zebdine and Bir el-Hayt, then Hosoun towards Farhat es-Saqi. Road closed 7:23am–10:23am and 12:32pm–3:32pm.
- SS3 and SS6 – Ain Aaya to Deir Billa (21.24km): via Kfarhay, Beqsmaya, Kaftoun, Majdel, Zakzouk, Wata Fares, Bzeiza and Chnata. Road closed 8:43am–11:43am and 1:52pm–4:52pm.
- 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 9:46am–12:46pm (first pass).
Refuelling takes place at Aoura on the Tannourine–Batroun road, with service at the Fouad Chehab complex in Jounieh between loops (second loop from 1:24pm). Four stages follow on Sunday in the Metn, with the podium ceremony at 4.30pm at the ATCL.