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From WRC
FIA World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Loeb has led the tributes to ex-factory Citroen driver Philippe Bugalski, who died on Friday, aged 49.
Bugalski gave Citroen its first win in the WRC and helped to develop the firm's rally cars. He was a factory driver from 1998 to 2003 and was regularly called upon to test and shakedown Citroen's competition machinery.
Loeb said: “I feel really upset by this tragic news. We've just lost somebody who was incredibly special. Beyond his consummate professionalism and talent, I will always remember his human values. ‘Bug' was a person with huge spirit, who had time and warmth for everyone. We will all miss him.”
Citroen Racing head Yves Matton added: “We have just lost one of our own family and our sadness is at the same level as everything Philippe gave to us: immense. We all knew him and he knew everybody. He was always in a good mood and loved life more than anybody else. That makes his sudden passing all the more shocking, and above all our thoughts go out to his family and everyone close to him. The whole of the rally community is mourning his loss.”
Thierry Neuville, whose Junior World Rally Championship campaign in 2010 was overseen by Bugalski, said on Twitter: “I cry, all you have made for me, all advices you have given me, all the moments we spend together, all the victories we took together, all the way you followed me. I didn't have the time to say goodbye. Merci à toi Philippe.”
FIA World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Loeb has led the tributes to ex-factory Citroen driver Philippe Bugalski, who died on Friday, aged 49.
Bugalski gave Citroen its first win in the WRC and helped to develop the firm's rally cars. He was a factory driver from 1998 to 2003 and was regularly called upon to test and shakedown Citroen's competition machinery.
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| Philippe Bugalski, Citroen. (Photo: WRC) |
Loeb said: “I feel really upset by this tragic news. We've just lost somebody who was incredibly special. Beyond his consummate professionalism and talent, I will always remember his human values. ‘Bug' was a person with huge spirit, who had time and warmth for everyone. We will all miss him.”
Citroen Racing head Yves Matton added: “We have just lost one of our own family and our sadness is at the same level as everything Philippe gave to us: immense. We all knew him and he knew everybody. He was always in a good mood and loved life more than anybody else. That makes his sudden passing all the more shocking, and above all our thoughts go out to his family and everyone close to him. The whole of the rally community is mourning his loss.”
Thierry Neuville, whose Junior World Rally Championship campaign in 2010 was overseen by Bugalski, said on Twitter: “I cry, all you have made for me, all advices you have given me, all the moments we spend together, all the victories we took together, all the way you followed me. I didn't have the time to say goodbye. Merci à toi Philippe.”