Philippe Bugalski – France's number 1 driver for two decades and a maestro behind the wheel of the Clio Maxi and Maxi Megane – passed away on Friday 10 August at the age of 49. Renault Sport pays homage to a man who steered the brand to such extraordinary rallying success.
In the early years of his glittering career, Philippe Bugalski took to the wheel of several Renault Sport rally cars. The man from Vichy honed his skills as a test driver – something which would go on to define his reputation in later years.
In 1995, he joined Team Diac for a two-year period, driving the Renault Clio Maxi and Maxi Megane to eight wins in the French Rally Championships, including victory in the 1996 Tour de Corse.
He went on to enjoy remarkable success with other constructors, including two wins in the World Rally Championship.
After his retirement from professional rallying, Bugalski managed Automeca, working on a range of cars including the Megane Renaultsport N4 (driven this season by François Delecour at the Tour de Corse and Kris Princen at the Geko Ypres Rally).
The entire Renault Sport team would like to express its condolences and sympathies to his family and friends.
Source: Renault Sport
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