“Chase my dreams with passion”
En bref
- Watching the Dakar on TV as a young boy is what fuelled Ehab Al Hakeem’s passion for motorsports. Inspired by the rally and the scenes he had witnessed in front of his screen, he started riding at the age of 16.
- His first dream was first to actually see the race as a simple spectator. And then the rally came to him. After finishing university and postgraduate studies, he indeed relocated to Saudi Arabia and was able to see his heroes at the start in Jeddah in 2020.
- Seeing the growth of rallies and the Saudi Arabian Motorsport Federation's support, he decided to participate in local rallies himself. As an expert mechanic and CNC programmer, he built a rally bike and competed in his first rally in 2021.
- Racing the Saudi championship in 2022 was a learning experience that brought him closer to his dream. In 2023, he became the first Lebanese to compete in the FIM World Baja Cup. That same year he even won the Saudi championship. That’s when he started planning for the Dakar.
- In 2024, on his way to the World’s toughest rally, he competed in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, becoming the first Lebanese in the W2RC championship. He finished the grueling event in the Malle Moto category which would be an accomplishment beyond words.
- Last January, his dream of starting the Dakar became reality. He was indeed the first Lebanese on a bike to participate but sadly his adventure stopped after crashing on day 9. He returns for unfinished business and still with that same enthusiasm.
Ambition
E.A.H.: “I was determined to one day spectate the Dakar Rally myself. As a motorsport enthusiast and tuner, I stayed connected to the racing world. At 16, I started riding motorbikes, fuelled by dreams of becoming a rally racer. It’s true that I didn’t reach the finish line due to an unfortunate accident on stage 9, but the love and encouragement I received lifted my spirits.
Despite the challenges I faced, I was so happy and proud to have been a part of Dakar 2025. The journey may not have ended as I had hoped, but I was immensely honoured to have been recognized by Dakar for my exceptional performance and spirit during the race.
The support has only fuelled my determination to come back stronger for Dakar 2026. I will continue to push boundaries, overcome obstacles, and chase my dreams with unwavering passion.”
