History 1990s

1997 Rallye de España – Catalunya (Spain)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1997 Rallye de España – Catalunya (Spain)

Date: November 2–5, 1997

Start Location: Lloret de Mar, Spain

Finish Location: Lloret de Mar, Spain

Total Distance: 393.00 km of special stages

Surface: Asphalt

The 1997 Rallye de España became a historic moment for two-wheel-drive rally cars as Philippe Bugalski, driving a Citroën Xsara Kit Car, shocked the WRC regulars with an outright win against the more powerful four-wheel-drive World Rally Cars. On Catalunya’s smooth and flowing asphalt roads, Bugalski’s lightweight machine and circuit-style driving technique delivered unmatched corner speed and precision. His victory sent shockwaves through the championship and highlighted the potential of specialized asphalt cars in specific events.

Route

La Trona: A mix of long sweepers and rhythm sections, perfect for low, grippy asphalt cars.
El Montmell: Technical climbs and descents with clean road surfaces and minimal gravel cuts.
Vilaplana: Known for its consistent grip and high-speed transitions through forested terrain.

The rally took place along Spain’s northeastern coast, featuring fast and wide tarmac stages including:

With dry weather and warm conditions, grip was optimal throughout the event, favoring cars with strong chassis tuning and low weight.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Philippe Bugalski & Jean-Paul Chiaroni · Citroën Xsara Kit Car
2nd Place
Piero Liatti & Fabrizia Pons · Subaru Impreza WRC97
3rd Place
Armin Schwarz & Manfred Hiemer · Toyota Corolla WRC

Bugalski’s shock victory proved that under the right conditions, a two-wheel-drive asphalt-specialist could outclass the WRC elite on pure pace alone.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Clean Racing Lines: The flowing corners demanded circuit-style driving and minimal sliding for maximum speed.
  • Brake Consistency: Heavy braking zones required fade-resistant setups and smooth pedal modulation.
  • Chassis Tuning: Success hinged on perfect suspension geometry and ride height for the glassy Catalan asphalt.

The 1997 Rallye de España redefined what was possible with a two-wheel-drive car, and Philippe Bugalski’s performance became legendary among tarmac specialists and engineers alike.

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