CITROËN XSARA BLOWS AWAY THE TURBO 4WD SUPERCARS

The Citroën Xsara has become the first ever two wheel drive Formula Two car to win a World Championship Rally with Philippe Bugalski's Xsara Kit car demolishing the Subaru WRX, Ford Focus WRC and the Toyota Corolla WRC in the 1999 Rally Catalunya in Spain.

Bugalski and his Citroën Xsara beat Didier Auriol the four wheel drive turbo Corolla by 31.8 seconds, winning two of the final three stages to take full advantage of technical regulations that favoured his car in the all-asphalt event.

"This is a fantastic result for everyone," said Bugalski. "It's my first success in the world championship and the first for a Formula Two car. I think there is no reason why I cannot win again in Corsica as the event is not so different. If the weather is dry then Citroën will be competitive again."

Auriol was unhappy with the rules that helped Bugalski.

"I am very happy for Philippe and for Citroën," said Auriol. "However, the rules are not fair and should be changed. It is not right that people who are committed to the sport should be penalised by those who are not."

Bugalski admitted he had sympathy for Auriol and suggested a solution.

"I know people are not happy that we have beaten them but these are the rules!"

Auriol won the final stage of the third leg but was unable to make any headway on the overnight leader. Finn Makinen, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, won two of the day's five stages to move up from fifth position overnight to finish more than two minutes 30 seconds behind Bugalski. He leads the championship by three points from Auriol.

Subaru trio Richard Burns of Britain, Finland's Juha Kankunnen and Bruno Thierry of Belgium finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively in their four wheel drive turbocharged Subaru WRXs after taking advantage of difficulties encountered by home driver Carlos Sainz on the final two stages.

The Spaniard, driving a usually-reliable Toyota, suffered a puncture and a suspected oil leak on the penultimate 'La Fullaca' stage before he was forced to retire from the last stage with alternator failure. His problems left him ninth after he began the final leg third.

Sainz is fourth in the title standings, one place behind Briton Colin McRae, in a Ford Focus WRC, who was forced to retire at the end of day two with engine failure.

The drivers now move on to round six of the championship, the Rally of France in Corsica on May 6.

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8/4/99

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