Joseph Matar is one of the top Co-drivers in Lebanese history. He is known to make young drivers better, nad he is well known of being technical capable of driving anywhere.
This year Joseph is driving alongside Ammar Hijazi in the MERC championship. We met him on the side of the Jordan rally and had a small chat about this rally and his season with Ammar Hijazi…
Why didn’t you start the rally?
We had a very small leak in the steering rack. We ordered a spare part but it didn’t arrive. Ammar took the decision not to start the rally.
This round you scored no points, how do find your situation in the MERC champion especially that both Nasser Al Attiyah and Rashed Al Ketbi are further away?
Nothing has been mathematically … we still have all the chances although we are a little Hadicapped with the results. If we started the rally we could have got more points but we are still in the third round everything is possible.
Are you looking for IRC participations this year?
There is nothing in the loop until now.
This is your first year with Ammar Hijazi. How is it going especially that we know that you are friends before rallying?
Ammar is a close friend and an old friend, and we decided to do the season together.
You have driven alongside top drivers in the world of rallying. How do you compare Ammar to drivers like Roger Feghali or old drivers like Johnny Mawadeyye?
Ammar has the skills and the talent. He is a good driver. You have to also consider though that Ammar is not totally dedicated to rallying. He has his business and his things to care about. When he gives it more time it will be much better. He has the talent and everything.