Joe Ghanem

Joe Ghanem (born May 8, 1990 in Falougha, Lebanon) is a Lebanese racing driver and son of 1980's Lebanese Rally Champion Samir Ghanem.[1]

Joe Ghanem
Nationality Lebanese
Born (1990-05-08) 8 May 1990
Falougha (Lebanon)
Previous series
2012
2012
2012
2012
2011
2009
2007
2007
2007
2006		Formula Renault BARC
Formula Renault BARC Winter Series
Formula Gulf 1000
Maserati Trofeo Middle East
UAE GT-C Championship
British Formula 3 (National)
Formula Renault UK Winter Series
Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup
Thunder Arabia Middle Eastern Series
Championship titles
2012
2012
2011		Formula Gulf 1000
Maserati Trofeo Middle East
UAE GT-C Championship

Ghanem became the first Lebanese to stand on a podium in a single seater race in Europe when he finished 2nd place in the 2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series - National Class with Carlin Motorsport. He also is the first Lebanese to win a GT championship when he won the 2010-2011 UAE GT Championship (GTC).

Ghanem is also a rally driver with several podium finishes in local and regional rallies.

Career

Karting

Ghanem began his career in Karting. In 2004 he won the Lebanese Junior Championship Formula A.

Formula Racing

Ghanem started his [Formula Racing] career in 2006, finishing 3rd overall in the [Bahrain] based Thunder Arabia Middle Eastern Series with one pole position and six podiums. In 2007 and as part of the A1 Team Lebanon Driver Development Program, he competed in eight races in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and in the Formula Renault 2.0 UK - Winter Series both with Carlin Motorsport. In 2008 and due to lack of funding he did not compete in Europe and returned in 2009 again with Carlin Motorsport, this time contesting the last two rounds of the British Formula Three – National Class, and finishing on the podium in 3 of the 4 races.

In 2011 Ghanem competed in the [UAE] based Formula Gulf 1000[2] with 8 wins, 5 pole positions, 12 podiums and 2 fastest laps.[3] In 2012 and 2013 he competed in the Formula Renault 2.0 BARC Championship with Mtech Lite;[4][5] his best result came in Croft when he finished in 3rd position.

GT Racing

In 2010 Ghanem moved to the Middle East racing scene where he competed in the UAE GT Championship – GTC Class with Gulf Sport Racing driving a Ginetta G50 and winning the Championship with 1 win, 1 pole position and 5 podiums. In 2011 continued his championship winning streak by winning the Trofeo Maserati – Middle East[6] with 6 wins, 7 pole positions and 8 podiums. He also contested 1st round of the Trofeo Maserati – European Series scoring a pole position, 1 fastest lap and finishing on the podium in all 3 the races.

Rallying and Hill Climb

In 2008 Ghanem took part in the 9th International Hill Climb Event that took place in Syria and won his Group category (Group N). In 2010 he finished 3rd overall in the 19th Rally of Cedars in Lebanon, 5th overall in the second National Rally in Jordan and 3rd overall in the first National Rally in Jordan.

Racing Career Summary
Season Series Team Name Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2006 Thunder Arabia Middle Eastern Series Thunder Arabia 14 0 1  – 6 153 3rd
2007 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Carlin Motorsport 8 0 0 0 0  –  –
2007 Formula Renault 2.0 UK - Winter Series Carlin Motorsport 4 0 0 0 0  –  –
2009 British Formula Three – National Class Carlin Motorsport 4 0 0 0 3 39 5th
2010-11 UAE GT Championship – GTC Class Gulf Sport Racing 8 1 1 0 5 50 1st
2011–12 Trofeo Maserati – Middle East Leisure Racing 12 6 7 0 8 214 1st
2011-12 Formula Gulf 1000 Orient Racing 14 8 5 2 12 100 1st
2012 Trofeo Maserati – European Series Leisure Racing 3 0 1 1 03 43 16th
2012 Formula Renault 2.0 BARC Championship Mtech Lite 11 0 0 0 0 36 23rd
2012 Formula Renault 2.0 BARC Winter Series Mtech Lite 4 0 0 0 0 30 13th
2013 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship Mtech Lite 14 0 0 0 1 166 7th

References
  1. A day with Joe Ghanem: Lebanese racing driver living life in the fast lane - Motorsport | Sport360.com
  2. "Two Touring Car wins for Papantonis at Dubai Autodrome". The National Sport.
  3. "Joe Ghanem wins Formula Gulf 1000 double-header | GulfSport Racing LLC". Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  4. Formula Renault Thruxton Hat Trick For Unstoppable Middlehurst | Racecar Motorsport News - Renault
  5. "Cevallos Wins Memorable Renault Encounter". Checkered Flag. Simon Paice — April 14, 2013
  6. Double Joy For Viva As Raed And Elgammal Triumph
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