- 12
- May
- 2024
Spring Rally: Roger Feghali Passes the Torch to His Son Alex
modified on 09 June 2024 à 07:03 Read : 4 minute(s) A A A
Alex Feghali won the 39th ATCL Spring Rally on his Mitsubishi. However, it was his father, Roger Feghali, a sixteen-time winner of the competition, who was the fastest on Sunday. The latter, "guilty" of a technical error, was demoted, thereby relinquishing the top spot to his son.
Alex Feghali and his navigator Marc Haddad, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10, clinched victory in the 39th Spring Rally, the first round of the Lebanese Rally Championship for the current year. Organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) on Saturday and Sunday, the rally took place on asphalt roads in the districts of Keserwan and Jbeil. Roger Feghali and his navigator Joseph Mattar secured second place in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10, while Carl Rizk and his navigator Karim Abou Sleiman also claimed third place in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10.
Massive participation
The Rally attracted a massive number of participants. Indeed, no fewer than 30 crews, with 26 crossing the finish line, took part in this significant sporting event. The total distance of the rally was 262.75 km, including 95.86 km of special stages spread over 6 stages (one stage on Saturday and five on Sunday) in the districts of Keserwan and Jbeil. An exhibition special stage kicked off the Spring Rally on Saturday. Held within the ATCL Kaslik premises in front of a large audience, this stage was dominated by Roger Feghali ahead of Bassel Abou Hamdan and Rabih Ayoub.
Paternal sacrifice
The race resumed on Sunday morning on slippery ground due to rain showers, with a large crowd lining the five special stages. It was Feghali senior who took control of the rally from start to finish, followed by his son Alex. While everyone expected another victory from Roger Feghali, he was penalized for deliberately delaying passing through the checkpoint, thus propelling his son Alex to the top of the final standings. Paternal love prevailed over the thirst for victory. Roger Feghali thus finished in second place followed by Carl Rizk who completed the podium.
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Standings
1- Alex Feghali and Marc Haddad in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10: 1:01:55
2- Roger Feghali and Joseph Mattar in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10: 1:01:07
3- Carl Rizk and Karim Abou Sleiman in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10: 1:03:08
4- Joseph Hindy and Vicken Kanledjian in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10: 1:03:31
5- Rodrigue al-Rahi and Nabil Koumboz in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10: 1:04:14
6- Abdulaziz al-Kuwari (Qatar) and Ata al-Hamoud (Jordan) in a Skoda Fabia R5: 1:04:18
7- Doumit Bou Doumit and Rami Menhem in a Citroën DS3: 1:05:17
8- Rawad el-Hashem and Gary Koundakjiian in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9: 1:05:53
9- Elias al-Dahni and Omar Mazkur in a Citroën DS3: 1:05:54
10- Tarek Younes and Salim Jleilati in a Ford Fiesta: 1:05:57
11- Bassel Abou Hamdan and Firas Elias in a Volkswagen Polo GTI: 1:06:08
12- Charbel Chebli and Douleneck Schlink in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9: 1:06:31
13- Ahmed Khalid and Moussa Jehjeryan (Jordan) in a Ford Fiesta: 1:07:50
14- Paul Kosseifi and Rawad Issa in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8: 1:08:16
15- Chadi al-Faqih and Samer Safiir in a Renault Clio: 1:08:53
Categories
In other categories, Abdulaziz al-Kuwari and his navigator Ata al-Hamoud won the "RC2 Rally 2" category, Doumit Bou Doumit and his navigator Rami Menhem won the "RC4 R3T" category, Ahmed Khalid and his navigator Moussa Jehjeryan won the "RC3 Rally 3" category, Chadi al-Faqih and his navigator Samer Safiir won the "RC5" category, Joseph Salem and his navigator Carlos Hanna won the "RC4 Rally 4" category, Walid Chalhoub and his navigator André Achkouti won the "N3" category, Joanna Hassoun and her navigator Clara Janbary won the "RC4 R3" category, and Sami Daou and his navigator Wassam Daou won the "SI" category. Tarek Younes and his navigator Salim Jleilati won the Ranking Cup, Rhea Dagher won the Ladies' Cup, and Douleneck Schlink won the Navigation Cup. Joanna Hassoun won the Junior Drivers' Cup and Clara Janbary won the Junior Navigation Cup. On Sunday afternoon, the prize-giving ceremony took place at the Casino du Liban (Maameltein) in the presence of the Secretary-General of the organizing club, Camille Eddé, the treasurer, lawyer Gilbert Massih, the coordinator of the Automobile Sports Committee of the organizing club, Imad Lahoud, the director of the National Sports Committee, Sleiman Khattar, the head of the automobile sports department of the organizing club, Gaby Kreiker, the race director, Gaby Hayek, his deputies, lawyer Ziad Jamous and Roy Moukarzel, Bassam Hamdan (Casino du Liban), rally officials, sponsor representatives, and a large number of motorsport enthusiasts.
A new era
In sports, the gene of victory exists indeed. The Feghalis, father and son, proved it again this weekend. Roger Feghali's "sacrifice" does not diminish the exceptional talent of his son. However, it is not certain that this victory is exactly the one the son dreamed of for his first triumph. Whether it was a fatherly boost or not, one thing is certain: the Feghalis' future is guaranteed.
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