DBAYEH, Lebanon – The roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber filled the air of the underground car park as three cars drifted with ease around its pillars. The VQ Riders Lebanon and the Underground, two informal groups of car enthusiasts, have quickly evolved into a close community of people from all walks of life who come together to talk cars and to race and drift, the controlled oversteering that causes back tires to lose traction and slip and slide.
“The concept for the VQ Riders Lebanon was to assemble all of the cars that have a VQ engine,” Leila Nasrallah, the group’s founder, explained. “I tried to create [an Instagram] showroom for all of these cars in Lebanon, and then it progressed to be more like a family.”
Nasrallah further explained, “They [group members] started asking where they can buy parts and wanting to gather and go out.” She also stated, “Then, we started to get to know [Patrick and Even Samaha], and they formed the group Underground. So now we all get together. We do some night rides too.”
VQ Riders gradually expanded online beyond its Instagram origins to also include WhatsApp groups and a Facebook page, where members ask each other questions and share knowledge, particularly on where they can get new or replacement auto parts at affordable prices.
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