Philippe Bugalski: The disappearance of a rally great

His nickname in the industry was “Bug”. Incredible drive and always smiling and jovial, Philippe Bugalski died yesterday at the age of 49.

The Vichyssois will forever remain the first to have Citroën triumph in a round of the world rally championship. It was in Spain, on April 21, 1999. And this before doing it again three weeks later at the Tour de Corse. “A member of our family left us today... Our sadness is as high as what Philippe Bugalski gave us, which is immense. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. » This is what we could read last night on the Citroën World Rally Team Facebook profile. Philippe was one of the driving forces behind the arrival of the double chevron firm in WRC. He was also responsible for taking the first laps of the Xsara WRC in testing, then in competition in 2001, before continuing on the asphalt rounds in 2002 and 2003. Previously, three consecutive French championship titles. rallies from 1998 to 2000 at the wheel of the Xsara Kit-Car crowned this association. The native of Busset, in Allier, had also remained close to the French brand of which he was one of the test drivers (he notably worked on the C4 WRC). Just recently, we saw him opening rallies at the wheel of cars coming out of the Satory workshops.

Co-driven for most of his career by Jean-Paul Chiaroni, he has not only marked the history of Citroën. For around ten years, after starting out on a Golf GTi as an amateur, he brilliantly defended the colors of another French brand: Renault. “Bug” in fact drove an impressive range of diamond-stamped cars from 1985 to 1997, ranging from the R5 Turbo to the Mégane Maxi, including the Clio Maxi with which he won the crown of “2 liter” French champion. » in 1995. Lancia and the legendary Team Martini also called on his services in the world championship in 1992.

For several years, he had taken over the Automeca structure, notably racing in the junior world championship, on a Citroën C2 R2, Thierry Neuville, who this year joined the ranks of the Citroën Junior Team in the World Championship.

Philippe Bugalski, as pilot of rally, that's two victories in the world championship (Catalonia and Corsica 1999), 31 in the French championship, 10 in the European championship, three French championship titles (1998, 1999 and 2000) and one French champion title “2 liters” (1995).

A great figure in Rallying and French motorsport left us yesterday. To Béatrice his wife, to his two daughters Marine and Victoria, to all his relatives and friends, AUTOhebdo sends its most sincere condolences.