August 31, 2015 – After missing the 24th Cedars’ Rally, Bassel Abou Hamdan is returning to the competition at the 38th Rally of Lebanon. In an interview with Bassel, the 2014 ROL front-wheel drive class winner revealed the reason behind his absence, why he returned and his target for the rally.
Bassel, you missed three important events this year (Cedars’ Rally, Falougha Hill Climb and Bkassine Hill Climb), we would like to know the reason – we always like to see you in the competition – especially after winning Rally of Lebanon last year. What happened and why did you return?
I always like to be part of the season and the competition, but I had family matters to attend and I also had to travel. In addition, there’s no support in Lebanon, and we’re spending money from our own pockets, and we have been participating and enjoying this sport, but why should we sacrifice so much when there’s no one to appreciate our talent?
It’s odd to hear you say this after winning Rally of Lebanon last year. Couldn’t you take advantage of your ROL victory?
I did not really emphasize on my victory marketing-wise because I live abroad, and at the same time, we were a humble team that didn’t have the means to work on this professionally. At the end, it’s a marketing tool, and people need to work on exposure, because it’s a sport with exposure on TV.
I returned because I was happy to join Kazan Performance Tuning, and we have new sponsors, including Cordoba Nahed Group and ACT, who I would like to thank.
This is the first time that you have these sponsors for Rally of Lebanon.
Yes, this is the first time in Rally of Lebanon. We are a humble team, but in terms of competition, we can always be among the front runners.
Before we go into the competition, and now that you mentioned the team. We saw you with TG Rally Skills, and then you were on your own, before switching to Kazan Performance Tuning ahead of Rally of Lebanon. Why are you switching teams frequently? We know that stability is important in this sport.
That is true, stability is important. Honestly, I had an experience that I wasn’t happy very with at one point, and everyone’s entitled to describe what happened with him. I was happy but I wasn’t very comfortable sporting-wise. In my own team, we’re very humble, I’m happy and I love the crew and they love me, we’re family and they’re still with me… and I admire Roger [Feghali] as well, but I joined Philippe Kazan because he enlightens me, he tells me what to do and he likes to help me out. I joined his team because he’s always ahead of the game, and knows where I need to improve. He’s taking care of us as if we’re his brothers, and it’s the same case with every other team; he has a professional team and I’m seeing how they work, and my friends are working with him and I can see how happy they are.
Philippe has a car similar to yours (Citroen DS3 R3T) and it is being driven by Tony Helou. How much of a plus do you think that is and what do you think of the competition between yourself and Tony, knowing that you have more experience?
Tony is the one who encouraged me to join Philippe’s team, in addition to Rabih Ayoub, who both are my friends and we’re always seeing each other during our travels. I saw how happy they were, and we race with good sportsmanship and we wish each other good luck. This is definitely an advantage because Philippe has experience with the car, especially suspension-wise and in terms of balance, and my experience as a driver in the car is perhaps more than Tony’s, so if we combine our work and Philippe’s expertise, we can pull off some great work. Both Tony and I will benefit from this advantage, especially if we combine our experience; we will benefit from one another.
Your main competitors in the front-wheel drive class Henry Massaad and Robert Aaraj have raced and tested more than you have this year. How are you preparing to challenge both of them, knowing that you always aim to win, not to finish second or third?
That is true, I race to win, and we’re aiming to win this year. Of course, racing for more kilometers and testing is of benefit to them, and they have great cars in terms of setup, which gives them an advantage, but with our expertise and focus, we can hopefully compete in front and challenge them for the win. It’s going to be a great fight, I can already see it.
Henry is leading the championship and he’s comfortable in terms of points, which gives you the advantage. Do you think you can benefit from this advantage to try and win the event, if Henry takes no risks?
I can’t imagine Henry taking it easy, because he’s the type of driver who likes to drive on the limit, and Robert will push hard to try and secure the title for himself. I had to withdraw after taking the championship lead, I had private matters and I wanted to stop before the Jezzine Rally, but we managed to do that rally.
Of course, we have the advantage to win the rally, because they might take it easy, but even if they don’t, we’re here to compete with them in full attack and I’m not waiting for them to take it easy. There’s no driver that says he wants to take it easy, and it’s nice to win Rally of Lebanon. In my opinion, Rally of Lebanon is more pleasurable to win than the whole championship. I’ve won both Rally and Hill Climb championships, but Rally of Lebanon has got a different flavor to it, and I’m here to win it.
Bassel, what would you like to say to the people around you and to the sponsors, what would you like to promise them, especially for coming years, because you are still young and you have plenty of years ahead?
I would like to thank my sponsors Cordoba Nahed Group and ACT, I wouldn’t be here without them, and I wouldn’t be here without Philippe Kazan because they have put me in a good mood for the competition, in a team that has a family-like atmosphere, and I’m very happy with that. I wish everyone luck, and I would like to thank Firas Elias, who has done great work with me, in addition to Maher Mounzer. Hopefully, we’ll be able to score a good result for Philippe, for our supporters and of course, for our sponsors.
Best of luck Bassel.