The “mechanical war” between Lebanon, Qatar and the Czech Republic gets fully under way on Saturday morning in the 41st Rally of Lebanon, organised by the Automobile et Touring Club du Liban (ATCL) under the patronage of President Michel Aoun until Sunday, July 8. The rally, round three of the Middle East Rally Championship, covers 769km including 222.86km over 11 special stages, starting with Friday evening’s Total super special at the 2.560km RPM circuit in Mtein.
Roger Feghali and co-driver Joseph Matar (Skoda Fabia R5) set the fastest time on the super special in 2:00.033 to lead the rally and break the circuit record. Czech crew Vojtěch Štajf and Marcela Ehlová (Skoda Fabia R5) surprised everyone by taking second in 2:00.090, while Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel (Ford Fiesta R5) were third in 2:02.007.
Before the stage, the opening ceremony was attended by ATCL president Sheikh Fouad El Khazen and board members, FIA representatives, FIA MENA coordinator Imad Lahoud, rally officials, sponsors, fans and the media. It featured a demonstration by former Lebanese rally and hill climb champion Nabil Karam, drift shows by Yokohama and Total and an Opel display, before El Khazen and other dignitaries gave the start signal following the national anthem.
Saturday’s stages
Six stages are run on Saturday, starting at 07:00 from the Fouad Chehab Sports Complex: Monsef – Sebail (14.63km), Ain Aaya – Deir Billa (21.40km) and Sourat – Bqaiaa (28.85km), followed by service in Jounieh from 11:48 and a second loop over the same three stages from 12:32.