FIA Middle East Rally Champioinship

The Philosophy of Rallying

Lebanon, a non-stop contrast. "How?" asks many.

Come and find out how to live your life to the full. From vivacious cities to serene villages, from boisterous pubs, bars and nightlife to sacred sanctuaries and monasteries where saints and prophets used to live, from sea level up to more than 2000 meters in altitude in less than 45 minutes.

The Rally of Lebanon is the most redolent word in the Middle East Rally Championship and is the only event in it to run on tarmac.

The nature of its fast special stages with slippery tarmac defies all kinds of rallying definitions. Yet, it is a controversy between man and machine, it is a challenge, you cannot but fall in love with it as others did before. The French Yves Loubet said, "It is a philosophy to organise and run a rally in Lebanon".

The Rally of Lebanon attracted many drivers and became a milestone to those aiming to professionalism. The Norwegian Peter Solberg (World Rally Champion – 2003) in addition to Mohammad Bin Sulayem (UAE) the famous Middle East Champion, Abdullah Bahkashab (KSA), Marku Martin (EE), and Nasser Al-Attiayh (Q) are among many others to experience their first ever rallying on tarmac.

The start of the 30th edition will take place in the heart of Beirut. With a dual challenge, the roads of its Central District will witness the return of a Super Special Stage having the same concept of those run this year in Monte Carlo and Argentina. The competitors will push the envelope by completing one lap around the 1.86kms challenging circuit. The Start and Finish point are coincident, while the Stop Control is located at approximately the middle of the circuit giving the drivers the chance to salute the public.

This year the competitors will race over 280kms of Special Stages with altitudes varying between 52 and 1836 meters, making it the longest and demanding event in the Middle East Rally Championship.

Furthermore, the opening of entries commenced on Monday April 23rd 2007 and the closing date for entries is set to Friday June 15th 2007.

Welcome all and enjoy the thrilling action.