- 10:15
In a scenario that Hitchcock himself would have been proud of, Roger Feghali won the 47th Rally of Lebanon, organized by the National Sports Authority of the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL), after a nail-biting duel with Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah. He won his 18th crown through courage, pride and surgical precision.
Kaslik, Sunday, 5 PM. The sun is still shining, but faces are pale. After 624.41 km of battle, including 192.44 km on the 11 special stages, everything was going to be decided on the final corners of Zabbougha. In the air, the smell of burnt rubber, palpable tension and a murmur running through the spectators, “It's going to be a close call...”
And that's exactly what happened. Roger Feghali and his co-driver Joseph Matar (Toyota GR Yaris) clinched victory with a time of 1h49'36", just 9.2 seconds ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah and Candido Carrera (Skoda Fabia RS). A tiny, almost insolent margin in a Rally of Lebanon that will go down in history.
Rally of Lebanon, Act XVIII
History will remember this date: the Lebanese driver clinched his 18th national title. An achievement made all the more remarkable by the fact that it was won through mental strength. After dominating Friday's super special stage in Kaslik, Feghali thought he had taken the lead... until Al-Attiyah's Skoda turned everything upside down on Saturday, taking the lead by 7 seconds.
On Sunday morning, the tension rose another notch. Four special stages, no room for error and a “war of tenths” that pushed both men to the limits of their mechanics and their nerves. Feghali attacked like a madman, made up his deficit, then retook the lead after the 10th special stage... with only a 1.5-second lead!
The final stage became a breathless face-off. Two legends, two styles, two schools... and a Lebanese driver carried by his home crowd. Zabbougha was transformed into an arena: the Toyota roared, the Skoda screamed... but it was Feghali who crossed the line, exhausted, arms raised.
A Word from the Champion
Amidst the applause, Roger Feghali let out a tense smile, “It was a duel between men. A battle of nerves, a war of tenths. Nasser was incredible, but I wanted this victory more than anything. Winning it at home, in front of my fans, is indescribable.”
In his eyes, you can see the pride of a man who, at 51, continues to push the limits and write the history of Lebanese rallying.
Al-Attiyah: ‘I'll Be Back’
Ever combative, Nasser Al-Attiyah accepted defeat with good sportsmanship, but warned, “Roger was tremendous today, but this story isn't over. I'll be back to claim this title.”
Elias Dehni, the Lebanese Revelation
Behind the duel between the giants, Elias Dehni (Skoda Fabia) took a monumental third place, more than three minutes behind the winner, but above all, an XXL performance that propels him among the big names in Lebanese rallying. “It's an incredible feeling,” he admits. “Finishing behind two legends is already a victory.”
Overall Standings (Top 5)
1. Roger Feghali / Joseph Matar (Lebanon) — Toyota GR Yaris — 1h49'36''
2. Nasser Al-Attiyah / Candido Carrera (Qatar/Spain) — Skoda Fabia RS — +9.2 sec
3. Elias Dehni / Nicola Arena (Lebanon) — Skoda Fabia — +3’29’’
4. Bassel Abou Hamdan / Firas Elias (Saudi Arabia/Lebanon) — Volkswagen Polo — +3’57’’
5. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari / Giovanni Bernacchini (Qatar/Italy) — Skoda Fabia — +6’43’’
A High-Tension Event
With more than 1,200 volunteers and support from the Lebanese Red Cross, Civil Defense and security forces, the Rally of Lebanon is more than just a race, it's a national event. On the roads of Byblos, Batroun, Metn and Baabda, thousands of fans cheered on the drivers, banners unfurled and phones glued to their screens.
When the Legend Refuses to Die
In a Lebanon where victories are rare, Roger Feghali offers more than just a title, he offers a moment of pride and emotion. A breath, a revenge, a cry.
The curtain falls on the 47th Rally of Lebanon... but the legend never ends.
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