March 16, 2017 – Lebanese rally driver Nicolas Amiouni has announced his return to the Lebanese Rally Championship after a 2-year absence. The 2014 Lebanese Group N Rally champion will take part in the opening round of the season, the 33rd Spring Rally, on a Mitsubishi Evo X N4.
“I’m taking part in the 33rd Spring Rally because I want to have fun. I still have no sponsors and there is no solid plan for 2017, which is why I’m gonna attempt to score a good result at the Spring Rally and maybe try to attract sponsors for the rest of the season” said Amiouni in a conversation with Biser3a.com.
Nicolas won the 2014 Rally of Lebanon and clinched the Group N title that year. He missed the past couple of seasons due to lack of sponsorship and his sole appearance came in the 2015 Rally of Lebanon, in which he finished 2nd overall and 1st in the Group N category.
He had been aiming to return to the championship in an R5-spec car, but the plan fell apart.
“There was a plan to return to the Lebanese Rally Championship in a Skoda Fabia R5, but the plan fell apart as the sponsor disappeared despite many promises. Now, I’m returning with my own budget and with support from Roger Feghali who’ll be preparing my car.”
Nicolas was one of the top drivers in the Group N category as he consistently fought for victories in the past, but his approach will be different at the 33rd Spring Rally.
“I’m just there to have fun. I want to re-familiarize myself with the car and try to finish the rally and push as hard as possible, so I can’t get super excited. It all depends on my pace really; if I feel that my pace is good, I’m definitely going to try to challenge the other guys.”
The 2014 ROL winner confirmed that he will be racing alongside co-driver Elie Mousallem and that he will carry out a small test before the rally that is scheduled for April 2.