A Legacy of Motorsport Excellence in the Middle East
Before diving into the history of the 47th edition of the Lebanon International Rally—scheduled for September 4–7, 2025, and held under the patronage of Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun—it is essential to highlight the legacy of the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL). Founded in 1919, the ATCL is one of the most prestigious automobile clubs in the Middle East and globally, celebrating its centenary in 2019.
The First Rally in the Middle East: “Tour of Lebanon”
In 1951, Jose Chidiac organized one of the earliest motor racing events in the region—known as the “Tour of Lebanon.” The course spanned approximately 500 kilometers and concluded at the Aley swimming pool complex. This event is widely recognized as the first rally ever held in the Middle East, won by Louis “Loulou” Bassoul in a Renault Frégate.
The second edition was held in 1955, finishing at the Beirut Hippodrome, and again won by Bassoul in the same model. The Renault Frégate dominated this era; notably, Pierre Hanina drove it to victory in the inaugural Syria-Lebanon Rally in 1952.
“Rally of the Mountain”: The Origins of the Lebanon International Rally
The origins of the Lebanon International Rally—dubbed the “Icon” of Middle Eastern rallies—trace back to 1968, under the name “Rally of the Mountain.” Organized by the ATCL, its inaugural edition featured 57 teams, including 14 international participants, covering 1,100 kilometers across Lebanon. The winners were Jean Bassili (founder of Sport Auto magazine), Antoine Salim, and Fayez Sayegh, driving a Renault 10.
The rally was held again in:
- 1970, won by Gérard Asfar and Amin Hammoud (Renault 16)
- 1973, won by Georges Mattar and Georges Mougani (VW 1303S)
- 1974, the final pre-war edition, won by Tony Georgiou and Jean Lou Eid (Renault 12 Gordini)
In 1975, despite being officially recognized by the FIA, security concerns due to civil unrest prevented its execution. The rally only resumed in 1979.
The Comeback: Rally Resumes After the Civil War
After a 4-year hiatus, the rally returned in 1979, won by Georges Doumat and Samir Cheikhani (Audi 80 LS). The 1980 edition marked a turning point, with the return of major names and Albert Bassoul and Gérard Sounal winning in a Renault 17 Gordini.
During the 1980s civil war, the rally was canceled in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990. It was also suspended:
- In 2005, due to the assassination of PM Rafik Hariri
- In 2020, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic
A notable edition in 1986 was part of the Cyprus Rally Championship and saw 60 teams participate. Nabil “Billy” Karam and Joe Saghbini won in a Porsche 911 CRS.
Inclusion in the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC)
The Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) was officially launched in 1984. Lebanon joined in 1987 with its rally held from October 9–11 and was won by the Emirati duo Mohammed bin Sulayem and John Spiller (Opel Manta 400).
From “Rally of the Mountain” to “Marlboro Rally Lebanon”
In 1993, the rally was rebranded as the Marlboro Rally Lebanon, and was won by Frenchman Alain Oreille and Jean-Marc André (Renault Clio Williams), followed by Jean Ragnotti in later years.
The rally began attracting world-class drivers including:
- Sandro Munari (Italy), 1977 FIA Cup Winner
- Tommi Mäkinen (Finland), who drove in the super special stage in the 1990s
- Pierre-César Baroni (France), 1993 European Rally Champion
- Petter Solberg (Norway), who finished 2nd in 1998
The rally has hosted an impressive international lineup including Mohammed bin Sulayem, Abdullah Bakhashab, Saeed Al-Hajri, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Yves Loubet, Piero Liatti, Abdullah & Khalid Al Qassimi, Suhail Al Maktoum, and many prominent Lebanese drivers such as:
- Roger Feghali
- Jean-Pierre Nasrallah
- Samir Ghanem
- Billy Karam
- Maurice Saade (Bagheera)
- Abdo Feghali
- Michel Saleh
- Ziad Feghali (late)
- Eddy Abou Karam
- Tamer Ghandour
- Nicolas Amiouni
- Rodrigue Rahi
- Alex Feghali, among others
Dominance of Lebanese Drivers
Lebanese drivers have long dominated the rally:
- Roger Feghali holds a record 17 titles
- Jean-Pierre Nasrallah has 3 titles
- Mohammed bin Sulayem (UAE) has 4 titles
- Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar) has 2 titles (2019 & 2022)
- Abdullah Bakhashab (Saudi Arabia) has 1 title
- European winners include:
- Alain Oreille (France, 1993)
- Alex Fiorio (Italy, 1994)
- Piero Liatti (Italy, 2001)
Since 2002, Lebanese drivers have almost completely dominated:
- Roger Feghali – 17 wins
- Jean-Pierre Nasrallah & Yousef Bassil – 2002 winners
- Nicolas Amiouni & Shadi Beyrouti – 2014 winners
- Tamer Ghandour & Salim Jalilati – 2016 winners
- Nasser Al-Attiyah – won in 2019 and 2022
In the co-driver category, Joseph Matar leads with 10 titles, followed by Nabil Najem with 5.
Recent Years and the 2025 Rally
In 2020, the rally was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2021, won by Roger Feghali. The event has since continued in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The 2025 edition of the Lebanon International Rally will be part of the fifth and penultimate round of the Middle East Rally Championship, once again held under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun.
A True Icon of Motorsport in the Middle East
With a storied past, consistent international participation, and a legacy of dominance by local heroes, the Lebanon International Rally remains a cornerstone of motorsport culture in the Middle East—a rally not just of speed, but of national pride and international recognition.
