Europe is not the only continent were hillclimb racing takes place. In the middle-east there is also a lively hillclimb scene. As far as I can understand the middle eastern hillclimb challenge stopped when the civil war in Syria broke out. However the individual countries that were part of the challenge (apart from Syria of course) still organise races. Today we focus on Lebanon.
There are two main categories in the Lebanon Hillclimb Championship. The first category called RC is reserved for rally cars. The category is divided into five classes called RC1 to RC5. They follow the FIA regulations of Group R, although numbered in reverse. That means RC1 is the topclass, reserved for WRC cars, while RC5 is where the cars of R1 compete. Group A and Group N cars are also allowed in this category, with a four year extension on there homologation like in Europe. They are merged into the classes RC1-RC5 based on their relative performance.
The second category is called Supermodified (SM). This category sort of resembles the E1 regulations in Europe. The cars must be touringcars with their original method of transmission (that is FWD or RWD or 4WD). Engines are free but they have to be of the same manufacturer as the chassis. The nature of the roads used in Lebanon makes many top drivers prefer 4-wheel-drive vehicles and this limits the options somewhat. As a result there are lots of Mitsubishi Lancers competing… The SM Category is divided into seven classes based on engine capacity. They are confusingly numbered the other direction from the RC category. That means SM1 is for -1400cc, while SM6 is the topclass for -4500cc (SM5 -3500 is divided into 2WD and 4WD).
The 2015 hillclimb championship was contested over three rounds: Falougha, Deir Al Qamar and Bkassine. All three events are located very close to eachother in the central part of the country. You can find the details and maps for these tracks, and another three former hillclimbs, on the new Lebanon Hillclimb List page on this website. Roger Feghali dominated this year. The Mitsubishi Lancer pilot won in Falougha and Bkassine. Only the first event in Deir Al Qamar did he finish in second, but there it was his brother Abdo who took the winner’s trophy.
If you click on ‘More’ you will find some videos.
Roger Feghali @ Falougha Hillclimb
Garo Haroutiounian @ Deir al Qamar Hillclimb
Paul Kossaifi @ Bkassine Hillclimb
Check out the youtube channels: Biser3aTV and mmsrally for more great videos.