Looks like this is the new trend in Lebanon. As soon as someone opens a website for selling cars, tens of websites follow.

Mark already posted about LebanonRides and now we have daweronline.com who’s being advertised through billboards on the streets.

My question is: If your website is not yet finished, why the hell would you want to advertise for it already? It’s not like you are advertising for a product. People expect to go in and see cars, not a message that says:

“We are collecting the subscribers cars data and images, please keep checking the site, DAWERONLINE will be available very soon.”

I usually go karting during the summer as most tracks are outdoor and closed in winter times. Karting in Lebanon is not that popular and there are barely few decent tracks, mainly the RKZ (Racing Kart Zouk) and the Race of Champions track in Mansourieh (not sure if its still open though).

The track in Zouk is right next to the Dream Park on your way up to Jeita. It has two different types of karts that you can use, the 6hp cars for beginners and the 9hp cars for experienced drivers. You become experienced after you drive more than 10 times and get a card that allows you to drive the 9hp. I’ve been driving the 9hp for years now and it is a huge difference from the regular cars in handling and in speed.

Price wise, you pay 15,000 LL or 10$ for 15 minutes during week days and 20,000 LL or around 13$ on Saturdays and Sundays.

I don’t know why its taken so long to setup a website which allows you to search and buy used cars online. When my brother wanted a car we had to drive from used car lot to used car lot trying to find a car. Searching online would have been much more convenient. Lebanon Rides is a new website that’s just recently launched but it already contains a good number of cars. Check it out [Link]

Red Bull Car Park Drift Finals is planned to take place in Beirut at the Forum de Beirut, tonight (July 16 2010) at 8PM. [Link]

This is only the second year that they organize this event. I missed it in 2009 but i got VIP tickets this year and i am definitly going.

Looks like London Taxi is starting to get infected by the Lebanese Taxi driver syndrome or should i say the Lebanese driver syndrome.

I don’t think there’s anything more frustrating in Lebanon than seeing smart-ass drivers trying to take over cars by going on the wrong lane. Not only they are dangerous, but they cause more traffic and jam the roads.

Don’t get me wrong, i still think it’s one of the best taxis in town, based on what my brother and some friends keep telling me, but drivers like this one above (and below) should be fired in my opinion.

I, like most guys, love cars and driving and all, but i don’t know much about its mechanics nor do i pretend to know, unlike most Lebanese guys. Every time i have a certain problem with my car, i get like 20 different answers and half of them would include “Chou fahhamo el mechanicien! ana ba3rif”.

To make things worse, most mechanics in Lebanon are liars and want to rip you off somehow and companies are no better. You go to change your brakes and end up changing your tyres, cylinders and maybe chassis who knows??

On Tuesday, i had to remove a nail from one of my tyres. I stopped at a tyre place and once the guy was done, i asked him to check the car tyres pressure and make sure they are as recommended.

To find out what your car’s tyre pressure should be, consult the manufacturers tyre placard usually found inside the driver’s door sill, glove box, fuel filler cap or under the bonnet. The placard also displays the manufacturers recommended tyre sizes. [Bridgestone]

He answers me that i don’t need to check what the tyre manufacturer says as it’s common knowledge i should keep them as 30/30. I insisted that he does them as written down and he felt offended of course. I didn’t tip him of course because he was an ass.

After i was done, i went to my mechanic to check why my car is making squeaking sounds when turning the wheel or simply when driving sometimes. He answers me that my brakes are not good quality and should be changed.

One minor detail he forgot is that he was the one who changed my brakes five weeks ago!!!

After having stated that “minor” detail, he tells me he needs to take a closer look at it and after few minutes, tells me that it’s just a minor issue that will pass once i change my brakes. I just let go and went back home because unfortunatelly, he is better than most mechanics i’ve been to or been advised to go to and looking for a good mechanic in Lebanon is cumbersome and tiring.

Thank God my car doesn’t cause me that many problems.

Back in March, i posted about a Jeep who was parking in a no-parking spot in Achrafieh. Turns out our dear police love that spot as well.

This is not the first time police cars break the law, yet nothing is being done about it. It would be a great day for me and all the Lebanese when a police car gets a ticket for parking illegally.

I never really enjoy getting stuck in traffic, nor does anyone else i assume. But when the reason behind such traffic is the unloading of two Ferraris, the 458 Italia and the GTO then i wouldn’t mind waiting a few extra minutes.

This happened in Down Town Beirut in front of Ferrari’s office (Near Fiona’s restaurant for those familiar with the area).

Since we are talking about Dora and its famous roundabout, there’s a shortcut to get to the maritime road if you missed the Bourj Hammoud entry coming from Beirut. Many people i know are not familiar with it, so i thought i mention it.

[Picture from Google Earth]

Whenever one refers to Dora, traffic and chaos come to one’s mind. I pass by Dora almost everyday and get stuck for at least 20 minutes just to go all the way around the famous Dora Roudabout.
Few days, i was again stuck in traffic when i noticed how huge this roundabout is. I mean seriously, its surface area is unbelievably huge compared to the tiny roads around it, and it occured to me:
Why don’t they cut down a bit of that roundabout and make more space for the cars?

Or even better, why don’t they cut a road in the middle of it for those heading towards Jounieh and leave the right lane for those heading inside Dora.

There are tons of stuff you can do with this roundabout, but the dumbest thing is to leave it as is.

Most of you have probably heard about Dinner in the Sky if not click [Here]. The same guy who has the Ferrari 599 GTO below also had dinner in the sky and uploaded those videos to his YouTube account. The one above is the best of the bunch. Looks pretty cool. [YouTube]

Now if you want to be nosy like me you can check out all the guys videos by following this [Link]. He has a ton of cool videos mostly of some of the coolest rides in Lebanon. I would have love to have been on this outing.. [Link]

I usually expect cars like this to end up in Dubai or Kuwait first and they somehow end up in Lebanon. Checking the guys video uploads it seems he’s got a nice collection of cars. [YouTube]

Fadi Gebran, head of “KunHadi” association held a press conference today on car accidents in lebanon, their causes and how to prevent them.

According to Gebran, and based on numbers provided by the Red Cross and ISF, accidents in Lebanon increase between 12 and 17% yearly.

With the degrading status of our roads, and the lack of any structured plan to stop reckless drivers, among whom are some ISF officers, i don’t see accidents decreasing at all.

PS: Note that the numbers in the table above are as of March 2010.

Zouzou Ebba in action.

A 800hp Golf VR6 that can hit 335km/h. [Link]