- 12
- Nov.
- 2024
Despite the relentless war that strikes Lebanon, the Lebanese driver Rafic Eid shines brightly in off-road rally competitions, accumulating successes in his category. His recent performances in Portugal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia make him one of the expected attractions for the famous Rally Dakar. The talented driver is intensively preparing for this mythical event, scheduled for January 2025.
The international Lebanese driver Rafic Eid delivered an impressive performance during the Portuguese stage of the World Championship of Off-Road Rally, known as “Baja.” Finishing sixth in the overall ranking and securing second place in the veterans' category, Eid once again proved his mastery of this demanding discipline. The World Championship of Off-Road Rally, which takes place over several stages around the globe, attracts the best drivers each year, and the courses are renowned for their difficult conditions. For this leg, Eid rode a “GasGas 450 Rally Replica,” a top-of-the-line motorcycle specially designed for the extreme conditions of rally racing. This high-level performance aligns with a clear objective: optimizing his abilities in view of the Rally Dakar, one of the most feared and prestigious challenges in the world of motorsports, scheduled from January 3 to 17, 2025. “My participation in all stages of the World Championship is excellent preparation for the Rally Dakar, which is the goal I had set for myself earlier. My performances are gradually improving,” he declared at the end of the Portuguese competition.
Heading to Jordan and Dubai Before Dakar
After his successful participation in Portugal, Rafic Eid is heading to Jordan for the seventh and penultimate round of the competition. The race, which will take place this weekend, covers a total course of 775.31 km, including 566.46 km of special stages. The start will be given in Aqaba, with a route passing through the famous Wadi Rum desert, a historic site for rally racing and a true challenge for competitors. This Jordanian stage gathers 45 drivers from various countries, ready to take on the challenge over three days. Once this is completed, Eid will join Dubai for the last round of the season. By achieving consistent performances and maintaining a steady pace, the Lebanese driver relies on these competitions to refine his endurance and technical skills.
Notable Victories and Clear Objectives
Rafic Eid's success does not stop there. Before Portugal, Eid had already made waves at the Qatar Rally, where he took fifth place in the overall ranking and won first place in the veterans' category. This victory had already confirmed his level of preparation and his determination to represent his country at the highest level. More recently, he also distinguished himself in Saudi Arabia by winning first place in the veterans' category during the Al-Qassim Rally. All these successes are just a prelude for Eid, whose ultimate goal is the Rally Dakar. Beyond results, the Lebanese driver primarily wants to proudly represent Lebanon in this global competition. “As soon as the World Championship rounds end at the end of November, I will continue my intensive preparations for the Rally Dakar to once again make my dear country Lebanon shine,” he confides.
Rafic Eid embodies today’s dynamism of Lebanese motorsport, ready to face off against the best and prove that talent and perseverance can transcend borders. “I hope that the security situation in Lebanon will be less precarious by then,” he adds exclusively to This is Beirut. “Returning to peace would help me focus on competition rather than worrying about whether Beirut airport will be open upon my return!” he concludes with determination.
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