Eight years after writing his editorial “The Compass”, Rally of Lebanon organising committee chairman Fady Y. Aoun has revisited it to mark the centenary of the Automobile et Touring Club du Liban (ATCL), finding it still valid with minor editing.
A century of the ATCL
In 1919, a group of notable aristocrats founded an association with the sole intention of promoting the automobile. A “Touring Club Syro-libanais” was established that year as a subdivision of the Touring Club de France (TCF), the first such club in the Middle East. As quoted by the newspaper La Syrie on May 7, 1920, “It was decided unanimously to give the association the name of Touring Club of Syria and Lebanon. It is affiliated with the Touring Club de France”. Its founders shared the TCF’s objective: “to develop tourism in all its forms”.
As motoring became more popular, the ATCL joined both the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in 1933. Besides car tours to Europe, Asia and Africa, the club pioneered motorsport events in the Middle East. The first hill climb was run in 1951, and the 1956 event was won by the late King Hussein of Jordan.
The first Rally of Lebanon, formerly known as the Rallye de Montagne, dates back to 1968, when 1,000km of Lebanese roads and 57 cars, including 14 international drivers, marked the start of rallying history in the region. The organisers were the first to apply new rules and ideas such as vehicle groups, service parks, super special stages with dual tracks, safety measures and night stages, and their perseverance earned the event WRC candidacy, “yet but not fate”.
The azimuth might change but not compass settings. It is still. Hundred years have passed since the founders had set a pace towards excellence, today their successors are endeavoring their momentum into higher aims and are targeting superior standings around the Globe.
Fady Y. Aoun
The 42nd edition
This year’s rally features 231km of special stages over two legs, 91km of them run on Sunday, September 1, without service. To commemorate the centenary, it opens with a super special at the club’s premises in Kaslik, Jounieh, on Friday, August 30. Ten challenging stages on slippery tarmac, a service park in Jounieh, remote refuelling zones in Yarita and Hammana, and altitudes from 300 to 1,836 metres make it “the most demanding event in the Middle East Rally Championship”.
Yet, as others did before, you cannot but fall in love with it.
Fady Y. Aoun
Aoun thanked the sponsors, supporters and the ATCL, paid tribute to the marshals, stage commanders, officials, organising committee members and the secretariat, and closed: “Welcome all, push the envelope and enjoy the thrilling action.”