The Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) will organise the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Cross Kart Championship at the RPM circuit in Mtein on Saturday, August 28, 2021. The event is held under the patronage of caretaker Minister of Youth and Sports Vartine Ohanian, and under the supervision and with the support of the FIA.
Eighteen drivers from nine countries will compete – two drivers per country – representing Tunisia, Algeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Cyprus, Oman and Lebanon. Lebanon will be represented by Alex Feghali and Rudolph El Asmar.
This is the first time a Cross Kart championship has been held since the discipline was recently adopted by the FIA.
Imad Lahoud: a first for the region
Imad Lahoud, the FIA’s representative for the Middle East and North Africa and head of the ATCL’s motorsport committee, said all the necessary arrangements had been made to stage this important regional championship for the first time.
I would like to thank Minister Vartine Ohanian for her patronage of the championship, and the FIA and its grant programme for choosing Lebanon to host this newly adopted championship – these races are very popular. I invite the Lebanese public to follow the championship while respecting the coronavirus prevention measures. We will see direct head-to-head battles, with the finals running from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday. It is a fine thing for Lebanon to host the first edition of this regional championship despite the situation the Land of the Cedars is currently going through.
Imad Lahoud
I would also like to thank Minister Ohanian for her efforts, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Ambassador Ghadi El Khoury, particularly for granting entry visas to the participating national delegations and facilitating their arrival. I would also like to thank Planet Kartcross Middle East.
Imad Lahoud
Lahoud added that the championship comes a week before the ATCL stages the 43rd Rally of Lebanon, round three of the Middle East Rally Championship, under the patronage of President of the Republic General Michel Aoun.