Robert Aaraj debuted the Renault Clio R3 Maxi EVO for the first time in Lebanon on the last Hill Climb in Deir El Qamar. The car was also tested on Friday ahead of the race and Robert made only 3 runs. He stopped the test due to a small clutch problem but was able to prepare the car to the max for Sunday in order to compete.
In terms of results Sunday saw the car take all the possible victories, but did it fulfill its potential. Robert seemed to increase his pace after the first run and went on to clinch all category and class titles and left the event on Sunday feeling upbeat about the result and hopeful to continue his preparation for the upcoming and promising rally of Lebanon.
We followed Robert during his test and race and spoke to him on both occasions. We will present you below with a full review of the R3 Maxi EVO during its first weekend in Lebanon driven by Robert Aaraj.
Flash Back
To start with we will introduce Robert and his background in racing. Robert started his career in Lebanon 2 years ago in Deir El Qamar Hill Climb. He drove an EVO 8 prepared by tony Germany and was not fortunate to continue the race due to a small mechanical failure. Robert continues in hill climbs and was able to clinch 2nd place in Arsoun behind Saad Keyrouz who was driving an EVO 10 back then. In Falougha which was the Middle East International Hill Climb championship he finished 0.9 seconds behind Tamer Ghandour, after leading him in the first 2 runs, after a small problem in the Anti Lag System.
Car Specs:
Engine: 2.0L, 16V, 257HP FWD
Big brakes
WRC front wheel
Prepared by Renault France Car #69
GearBox: Sequential 6 speed
Hydrolic hand brake
Friday interview (Before Race Day):
Why did you move from Mitsubishis to a Clio Maxi?
This car is the future of rallying. It helps you improve. It’s a new car and this is its first appearance in the Middle East.
Did you buy the car or is there a team or a sponsor behind it?
We got the car with a sponsor called Pro Long. Pro Long is an oil company with a product called ‘Synionic’, which will appear on the car, during the race. We sat down with the company and put down a plan for the work and we combined efforts with TG Rally Skills to have the complete package. I chose the car myself and it has all the latest specs.
Where is the car competing now?
The Maxi EVO is competing in all IRC competitions, and in the European, British and French championships. It won both the Irish Championship and the UK Championship too.
What is the car’s competition positioning?
The car is in the group R3, but it’s the only car in Lebanon so I had to register in the group A Class 5 like the guys so I can obtain championship points. My only problem is that the tyres have not arrived. The car has tyres that already drove a previous rally so I have no choice but to keep them and you know how dirty, the roads are in Deir El Qamar. I am still working on the setup and the car needs a lot of physical power, since it’s a proper rally car. The sequential gearbox puts a lot of effort on you compared with the Mitsubishis.
Why did you Choose TG Rally Skills?
I worked with them before. I know them and I am comfortable with them although there are many other good teams.
But their expertise is only in Mitsubishis?
Yes but this car is new to the Lebanese market so it’s the same to everyone. I am happy with Tony, he is a good guide and we have all the tools for the car, so we have no problem.
Sunday Interview (After Race Day):
[singlepic id=3297 w=320 h=240 float=left]Robert we saw that you stopped your practice on Friday due to a small mechanical failure. How did you turn your weekend around and ended up winning?
Well it was not a mechanical failure in the whole sense of the word. We had a small problem in the clutch and we didn’t want to take the risk so we preferred to change it for the race. The car is perfect as you know.
On our first run we only fueled the car with 12 liters, as we thought it will be enough to do the stage. We found out that the car needed a minimum of 20 liters to perform at its utmost so we suffered in terms of speed. Every time we had some movement on the fuel cell the car would lose poser, so I lost 4 seconds. In the second run I made up the difference although the car lost power at one point too.
We saw that the car won all the possible classes and categories, but is this the potential of the car?
Well I guess I made a record here in that car too. Anyway it’s not the potential of the car, we had old tyres as you know and we didn’t want to take risks since this is the first time we drive the car and I still have another Hill Climb in addition to the Rally Of Lebanon.
How much do you rate your test over 100?
As a test I can give it 100%, but as performance we have more to present.
What can you tell us about your sponsors and you team?
I would like to thank Pro Long for all their support. I would like to also thank Mr. Fady Ghaith, my friend and Pro Long owner, for his help and support. I would like to thank TG Rally Skills for their technical support, they were fabulous.
At the end Robert got what he came for on his first run on the MAXI. What will the future hold for him, and this brand new Rally Car on our ‘Difficult Tarmac’ roads?
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