Many of the region’s top drivers will skip round four of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), the Lebanon International Rally, over security concerns in the extremist affected country.
FIA media coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region Osama Al Mansouri yesterday confirmed to Sport360° that championship leader Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar, second-placed Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, his brother who is joint third in the standings, Sheikh Abdullah Al Qassimi, Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi, Salah bin Eidan of Kuwait and a host of Jordanian drivers will not participate in the fourth round of the MERC.
The event, which will run from August 28-31, though has attracted 30 entries, according to Al Mansouri.
Sheikh Khalid, a former Middle East rally champion, who is also chairman of Abu Dhabi Racing, was keenly looking forward to the Lebanon event in the hope of securing maximum points and closing the gap to championship leader.
Sheikh Khalid said: “I was looking forward to participating in the Lebanon International Rally this year; it is one of the most beautiful rallies that any driver would love to tackle.
“However, we need to take into considerations the security situation. That said, I would like to thank the organisers of the event, the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL), for their efforts in organising the rally. I wish all the participants there the very best and I am now looking forward to meeting them next at the Cyprus Rally.”
Cyprus Rally, the fifth and penultimate round of the championship, will be held on September 19 while Dubai will hold the traditional finale on November 27.
Some high profile drivers who will be seen in action though in Lebanon are Qatari brother Abdullah and Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and female pilot Nada Zaidan, Mishari Al Zouferi of Kuwait and home favourite Roger Feghali.
The Lebanon International Rally has had a history of being suspended or being removed from the calendar due to unrest in that country since it first made its debut in 1987.
However, since 2006 the rally has run regularly but now faces an uncertain future given the sporadic car bombings by extremist elements there.
FIA in-charge of the MENA region, Qatar’s Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, said in a statement: “I trust the abilities of the ATCL. The organisers have ability to present a good show.”
On the security situation in Lebanon, Al Attiyah added: “We don’t have anything official about the status in Lebanon, or any aggressive actions that may affect the participants.”
Head of the rally organising committee Fadi Oun confirmed that the event will start at the agreed schedule and there is no intention to cancel round four of the MERC.
