Words by Khaled Karam
Well this year it’s all about managing expectations, starting from the competition and reaching the smallest details like the press conference and similar media requirements.
Many changes have taken place this year. The inclusion of a super special stage and modification that took place on many others. Sourat has become a big challenge and Zabbougha returns to the rally after 13 years of absence to pose a real challenge for those with soft hearts. If some expect ROL 2013 to be a walk in the park, my advice is simple: Forget it.
Who is expected to win the 2013 ROL?
Nasser Al Attiyah comes to Lebanon this year with no pressure regarding the MERC. His direct competitors on the Regional front are not tackling ROL this year, so his lead is maintained and he comes with one moto: “In it to win it”. It is believed that he missed on 2011 and that was a golden opportunity and this year his mission will be much more difficult with Roger Feghali ready on his MotorTune Racing’s Ford Fiesta RRC. Nasser backed by M-Sport that is sponsored by Qatar, tackled WRC Germany 2 weeks ago and made an impressive run. His driving miles on asphalt and other surfaces increased dramatically and no driver on Lebanese soil is driving 25% as much … He is simply ready … He “EXPECTS” to win and is expected by many to do so…
On the other hand, Roger will start as simply the undisputed favourite especially that his car might be relatively identical to that of Nasser. Roger who was expected to run the Fiesta R5 in the rally after the impressive runs in the Cedars Rally, has reverted back to his RRC car. Roger has 10 ROL victories in his records is a non-compromise guy and he still has the motivation to prove that he is the best. Undoubtedly, Roger studied all his options and all the roads and he is most probably that best man in reading the changes both on the roads and away from them. Roger “EXPECTS” to win and is expected by the majority too, but are the changes carrying for us a surprise?
Abdo Feghali’s desire to win ROL is obvious and appears to clearly be his motive to continue. He is back on the wheel of the MINI countryman RRC, after last year’s edition. The car didn’t seriously prove itself but its up to him to extract the best out it this year. If Abdo couldn’t carry on with the pace of Nasser and Roger, he will be the first to benefit from their fight if it turned out to be fierce and resulted with some unfortunate events. If Abdo proved a match to one of them or even faster, than he would have changed the dynamics of the rally. A 3 way fight is much better than a 2 way fight. The question here though is: Does he expect to win?
Who expected… Gilbert Bannout to be driving for Motortune. Those who know are involved in the Lebanese Rally Championship would find it a bit weird that Gilbert is driving for the Roger Feghali’s team… Anyhow, Gilbert is now leading the Lebanese Rally Championship and will be looking to bag in the points to take the title on Sunday. Its obvious that Gilbert will be looking for the championship win where he battles with Abdo Feghali on it, and on pure pace he is not expected to win the rally. He will be driving a totally new car with the Ford Fiesta R5, and it is very reasonable to think that he needs to adjust.
Moving the Group N title, Nicolas Amiouni starts as favourite and a favourite to shine at the rally in general. Amiouni is expected to dominate in this category, but he will also need to look behind on his teammates Chafic Boulos and Tamer Ghandour as well as Eddy Abou Karam and Joseph Hindy. The drivers listed earlier are also in contention for a podium finish if problems hit the front runners.
The FWD category should also see a battle between Robert Aaraj and veterans, Joe Azzi, Bechara Beschir, and Hisham Abiad but with the absence of Bassel Bou Hamdan and Ghassan Khoury Aaraj looks like a favourite to win especially that he has the upper hand with his Clio R3 Maxi.
Robert is simply expected to win…
