Roger Feghali Wins the 48th Rally of Lebanon for a Record 19th Time, Abu Hamdan and Dehni Complete the Podium

Roger Feghali and Joseph Matar (Toyota GR Yaris) won the 48th Rally of Lebanon, Feghali's record 19th title, ahead of Bassel Abu Hamdan and Elias Dehni, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the podium.

Roger Feghali and co-driver Joseph Matar (Toyota GR Yaris) won the 48th Rally of Lebanon, organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) under the patronage of President General Joseph Aoun. Bassel Abu Hamdan and Firas Elias (Skoda Fabia RS) finished second, and Elias Dehni and Thierry Rouhana third. Large crowds followed the third and final day in hot summer weather.

The rally covered 678.29km, including 197.91km over 11 special stages, and was the fourth round of the 2026 Middle East Rally Championship.

Feghali senior set a new personal record by winning the Rally of Lebanon for the 19th time in his career, a legendary tally that will be very hard, if not impossible, for any driver to beat.

Unofficial final classification

Roger Feghali / Joseph Matar – Toyota GR Yaris – 1:52:07
Bassel Abu Hamdan / Firas Elias – Skoda Fabia RS – 1:54:31
Elias Dehni / Thierry Rouhana – Skoda Fabia RS – 1:54:53
Carl Rizk / Karim Abou Elias – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 – 1:57:18
Tarek Younis / Salim Jleilaty – Skoda Fabia – 2:02:30
Ria Dagher / Nadim Abou Elias – Renault Clio – 2:03:19
Shadi El Fakih / Samer Sfeir – Lancia – 2:08:18
Alex Sehnaoui / Marvin Mezher – Renault Clio – 2:08:58
Robert Aaraj / Joseph Kmeid – Peugeot 208 – 2:10:21
Shaker Juwaihan / Jumaa Mustafa (Jordan) – Mitsubishi Lancer – 2:14:19
Henry Kahy / Georges Nader – Citroën DS3 – 2:16:49
Edwin Khneisser / Christopher Bechara – Citroën DS3 – 2:27:01
Jason Wehbe / Andre Mhanna – Renault Clio RS – 2:27:08
Sami Fleifel / Ibrahim Ali (Jordan) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 – 2:35:43
Zakariya Al Amri / Mohamed Al Mazrui (Oman) – Subaru Impreza N14 – 2:42:14

Notably, Ria Dagher finished sixth overall.

Ben Sulayem at the podium

The final day drew a big crowd to the ATCL headquarters in Kaslik. Guests were led by Minister of Youth and Sports Dr Nora Bayrakdarian, representing the rally’s patron President General Joseph Aoun, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, together with Brigadier General Abdel Karim Assaad, representing Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal; Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Frem, representing General Security director general Major General Hassan Choucair; Lieutenant Colonel Michel Fares, representing State Security director general Major General Edgar Lawandos; ATCL president Nabil (Billy) Karam and vice-presidents Eliane Hobeiche and Serge Zouein; secretary general Camille Eddé; treasurer Gilbert Massihi and board members; FIA Rally Commission president Imad Lahoud; Jacques Sqayem, director of the FIA president’s office; sponsors’ representatives, FIA delegates, rally officials and many motor sport fans.

Before the podium ceremony, Karam presented Ben Sulayem with a shield of appreciation on behalf of the club’s board, and Ben Sulayem awarded gold medals to Roger Feghali and Joseph Matar. The winners in all classes were then crowned by the guests of honour in a festive atmosphere, and the Lebanese national anthem rang out for Feghali’s victory.