16/1/09

Federico Villagra

Career highlights:

2008: Sixth place in Mexico and Argentina. Argentinean Rally Champion

2007: Wins the Group N class in Rally Argentina. Joins Munchi's team. Argentinean Rally Champion

2006: Wins the Group N class in Rally Argentina. Argentinean Rally Champion

2004: Chilean and Group N4 class Argentinean Rally Champion

2002/2003/2005: Group N4 class Argentinean Rally Champion

2001: Wins the Group N4 class in the South American Championship

1997: Makes his debut in Rally Argentina finishing third in the F2 class

Career summary:

A long time Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Group N driver both nationally and also in the P-WRC, Cordoba based Villagra took over Juan Pablo Raies' seat in the Munchi's team midway through 2007 and has been there ever since.

Villagra had a passion for speed since he was 10 years old. He started competing in motocross at a very early age and achieved several motocross and enduro titles between 1984 and 1996. In 1997, Villagra started to explore the world of rallying, competing in his first national event with his brother, Javier. The same year, he took part in Rally Argentina for the first time, finishing third in the F2 class.

The following year, he finished fourth at the same rally and in 1999 he won his native '24 Hours Rally'. Villagra became South American Champion in the N4 class in 2001. Over the next three years he won the Argentine Championship in the same class. In 2004, Villagra won the Chilean Championship and the overall championship in Argentina. Victory in the Group N class on Rally Argentina in 2007 convinced Munchi's team bosses of his potential and chose Villagra to replace Juan Pablo Raies.

A ten round programme followed in 2008, with six top ten finishes including a personal best of sixth in Mexico and Argentina. With the benefit of another season with Ford under his belt, Villagra is hoping for further improvement in 2009.

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