Former Citroen fact༒ory driver Philippe B🦄ugalski passed away on Friday following a fall near his home in Vichy. The Frenchman was 49.

Bugalski, who was the first driver to win a WRC event overall in a Citroen, made his competition debut in the mid-1980s and 'le Petit Bug', as he was nicknamed, quickly becജame one of the brightest rising French rally stars.

With his name already established he joined Citroen Sport at the end of 1997. He was a cornerstone of the development programme for the Xs🌺ara Kit Car, immediately winning two French Championship titles with it in 1998 and 1999.

The 1999 season was highlighted by two World Championship victories in Catalunya and Corsica. These triumphs, plucked from under the noses of the four-wheel drive turbocharged World Rally Cars, would pꦦrove fundamental to Citroen's decision to graduate to the highest level of the sport.

From 2000 the team embarked on the development oꦑf the Xsara T4, which allowed its star driver to claim a third consecutive French Cꦬhampionship title.

In 2001, Citroen began its first World Ral🎉ly Championship campaign with a limited four-round programme.

Bugalski was the first driver to score a poꦉint with the Xsara WRC (on the Acropolis Rally) and acted as mentor to Sebastien Loeb when the future champion made his debu🐟t with the car in Sanremo.

He was part of the factory WRC line-up on asphalt rallies over the following seasons before calling time on his professionaꦯl career at the end of 2003. His passion however remained undiminished, as he divided his time between his horses, running the Autom?ca team, and his role as test driver for Citroen Racing.

mahbx.com extends its deepest sy🌌mpathies to Philippe's family and friends at thi༺s very difficult time.