The Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) has officially announced the 48th Rally of Lebanon, to be held from 10 to 13 September 2026 under the patronage of the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun. The event is the fourth round of the 2026 Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).
The announcement was made at a well-attended press conference at the club’s headquarters in Kaslik. Attendees included Jounieh deputy mayor Sheikh Rachid El Khazen; Walid Hachach, representing Civil Defence director general Brigadier General Imad Khraiche; ATCL president Nabil (Billy) Karam; vice-president Eliane Hobeiche; secretary general Camille Eddé; treasurer Gilbert Massihi; FIA Rally Commission president, ATCL board member and motor sport committee chairman Imad Lahoud; board members Bassel Azar, Josiane Fahd Sreih, Roger Achi and Corinne Stephan; sponsors led by Coral; rally officials and many members of the media.
Karam: FIA president Ben Sulayem coming to Lebanon
After the national anthem and a welcome from master of ceremonies Joseph Jouan, ATCL president Billy Karam described the Rally of Lebanon as a highlight of Lebanese motor sport that fans in Lebanon and the region look forward to every year. He said the presidential patronage is a great support for motor sport and for the club’s efforts to keep and develop the international event despite the difficult circumstances Lebanon is going through.
The Rally of Lebanon is not just a race. It is part of Lebanon’s sporting history and of the image of Lebanon we want to show the world: a Lebanon able to organise international events.
Nabil (Billy) Karam, ATCL president
He recalled that the Ministry of Telecommunications and LibanPost had issued, for the first time in the Middle East, four stamps honouring the ATCL, including one dedicated to the Rally of Lebanon. Karam thanked the state bodies, security forces, local authorities and municipalities, partners, sponsors and media, as well as the club’s members, organising committees and volunteers who have worked for months on the event.
He then announced that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will visit Lebanon and follow the rally, calling it a clear message that Lebanon is still on the world motor sport map. Karam also recalled his own victory in the Mountain Rally, the forerunner of the Rally of Lebanon, 40 years ago in 1986, and wished all crews a safe and successful event.
Lahoud: safety at the heart of our priorities
Imad Lahoud said the Rally of Lebanon has for decades been a symbol of passion, challenge and professionalism, and proof of Lebanon’s determination to keep hosting major international sporting events. He welcomed the elite of drivers and teams from Lebanon and the region, thanked everyone involved in organising the event, and stressed that safety remains at the heart of the organisers’ priorities, with every measure taken to meet the highest sporting and safety standards.
When the engines start and the competitors set off on Lebanon’s roads, we are not just starting a race. We are presenting another image of our country: a Lebanon of energy and life, of hospitality, of talent, and of will and determination.
Imad Lahoud
He thanked President Joseph Aoun for his patronage, the FIA under Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the ATCL board under Billy Karam, and LBCI for broadcasting the rally live as usual. He urged crews to compete hard and respect one another, and asked fans to follow all safety instructions on the stages.
Programme and entries
Organising committee chairman Gaby Kraiker thanked the authorities, ministries, security forces, municipalities including Jounieh, sponsors led by Coral, and the media. The ceremonial start takes place at 8:30pm on Thursday 10 September in front of Jounieh municipality. The rally has 11 special stages: the opening super special starts at 8:40pm on Friday 11 September at the ATCL in Kaslik, preceded from 4pm by races for classic cars (18 cars), the Porsche Club (18 cars), Toyota Yaris (12 cars) and the national rally (5 cars). Saturday and Sunday’s stages follow, with the podium ceremony at 7pm on Sunday at the ATCL, followed by the winners’ press conference.
Clerk of the course Ziad Jammous announced 29 entries: 24 cars in the Rally of Lebanon and 5 in the national rally (Lebanese Championship), with drivers and co-drivers from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman and Ireland, including 14 cars in the RC2 category. He said the strong entry shows confidence in Lebanon and in the ATCL’s ability to organise a top-level rally despite the situation of recent years, and urged fans and media to follow the volunteers’ instructions on the stages.
Read more: Read more: the full route, the entry list and programme and the Rally of Lebanon roll of honour.