Lebanon hosts unique 'women-only' vintage car rally

BEIRUT:   Lebanon hosted its first ever women-only classic car rally, with female drivers flying in from across the world for the occasion.

A group of business-minded women from around the world gathered in Lebanon over the weekend to take part in Lebanon’s first women-only vintage car rally. 

'Rallye des Graces' brought 28 women from across the globe to participate in the two-day event, intended at increasing tourism and establishing strong business connections on local and international levels while driving vintage cars across Lebanon.

The 28 drivers in the two-day 'Rallye des Graces' event include women from France, the United Kingdom, China and Algeria.

Chahrazad Rizk, organizer and president of the rally, explained her vision to The Daily Star: “I want to bring forward business women to integrate and invest in Lebanon, but also to show them our country." 

 Rizk told agencies she wanted to bring the event to Lebanon after taking part in similar rallies in Switzerland.

'Rallye des Graces' started Saturday from the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon in Kaslik, Kesrouan. On the first half of the rally, participants drove north to Jbeil, then to Batroun and Upper Metn, arriving at the Pine Land resort in Hammana.

“The idea is to organize a women’s rally each time in a different Middle Eastern country,” said Isabelle Labrousse, a driver who made her first visit to Lebanon for the occasion.

“I’m very happy to participate in this event, it’s magical,” said Rima Lucas, a Lebanese driver at the wheel of an old red Porsche.

Laurence Boule, on her first visit to Lebanon, said she was happy at “the prospect of spending a day in these beautiful old cars… with all these women from around the world.”

She added that Lebanon’s rough landscape and the lack of road signs had complicated matters.

“Our first kilometer went very well until we got lost,” she said. “But we only found charming Lebanese people to redirect us.”