September 16, 2016 – Penalties for Bassel Abou Hamdan and Rony Kanaan in the 39th Rally of Lebanon have shaken up the final classification in the RC3 class.
Bassel and co-driver Firas Elias (Citroen DS3 R3) were handed a 1 minute 20-second penalty which dropped them to second place in the category, therefore handing the class victory to Henry Massaad and Ramy Menhem (Renault Clio R3T).
Additionally, a 1 minute penalty imposed on Rony Kanaan and Samer Sfeir (Citroen DS3 R3) relegated them to 4th in the RC3 category and benefited Elie Nehme and Chadi Beyrouthy (Renault Clio R3), who are now classified third in the category.
The penalties are reportedly the result of Abou Hamdan and Kanaan checking in late to the finish at ATCL headquarters in Kaslik. However, the penalty does not affect Abou Hamdan’s championship position and he remains the RC3 championship title holder.
Elie Nehme moves up to 3rd place in the RC3 category in the 39th Rally of Lebanon