Lebanese driver Roger Feghali clinched the title of Toyota Race of Champions held in Jeddah after very tough competition with Omani driver Hamad Al Wahaibi.

The big surprise of the Toyota Race of Champions was the early retirement of the Saudi Champion Abdullah Bakhashab in his first lap due to problems in the gear box of his Toyota Corolla WRC precluding the audience from the excitement.

The second day witnessed a fierce competition between the ten Middle East Rally Champions qualified after the first day namely: Mamdouh Khayat, Abdo Feghali, Sheikh Hamad bin Eid Al Thani, Roger Feghali, Nizar Al Shanfari; Nasser Saleh Al Attieh, Hamad Alwahaibi, Marouf Abu Samra; Abdullah Bakhashab and Jean Pierre Naserallah.

In the early qualifications based on the best timing of two rounds, Lebanese driver Feghali scored first while Hamad Alwahaibi came second. Al Attieh was third followed by Abu Samra, Abdo Feghali, Bakhashab and Al Shanfari respectively. They all qualified for the final quarter; however, Khayat and Sheikh bin Eid were disqualified.

In the final quarter, Roger Feghali was ahead of Marouf Abu Samra, Al Shanfari was ahead of Al Attieh and Hamad Alwahaibi was ahead of Abdo Fghali. Also Jean-Pierre Nasarallah won over Bakhashab after his retirement due to mechanical problems and he had to withdraw in accordance with race rules.

For the finals, four drivers were qualified and Roger Feghali was competing against Nasarallah and then won while Al Wahaibi was competing and won against Al Shanfari and then Al Wahaibi had to compete against Roger Feghali.

The final lap of the race was full of excitement and Roger managed to win the Toyota Race of Champions scoring 148 seconds against 150.2 seconds for Al Wahaibi. Roger Feghali, four times Lebanon Rally Champion, was crowned in Saudi Arabia after his brother won the Race of Masters on Thursday.

The winners of Toyota Race of Champions received the cup from Derek Ledger, FIA representative in the Middle East.

Abdullah Bakhashab said: "My retirement was disappointing but I am very pleased with the results achieved. The race was a great success and I am very proud. I would like to thank all our sponsors; Abdulatif Jameel, the sole Toyota agent in Saudi Arabia, Denso, Binladen Woodwork Factory and Hyatt Regency Hotel, the headquarters of the rally.

"Also, I would like to thank all the Arab drivers for taking part in this event and looking forward to seeing them again."