Ligato to make PWRC return

Marcos Ligato will mount his first Production Car World Rally Championship title challenge since 2006 after it was confirmed that the Argentine has registered for the series for 2012.

The 34-year-old will drive a Subaru Impreza WRX STI for the Italian Top Run Motorsport operation alongside long-term navigator Ruben Garcia.

He will begin his campaign on his home event, Rally Argentina, from 26-29 April and contest the remaining rounds in Greece, New Zealand, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Joint team boss Alfonso Agnello said: “We are very pleased to have Marcos and Ruben back because they are part of the history of our team. It is very important to have a talented pilot with experience of all the rallies in our team. Hopefully we can win the title.”

Ligato’s Subaru is one of three already under construction at the team’s base in Castiglione Olona in northern Italy. An intensive testing programme is planned before Ligato’s first appearance of the season in Argentina.

Ligato took part on his first world championship rally in Argentina back in 1998 when he finished 14th overall and third in Group N4. The highlight of his career is undoubtedly his capture of third overall in the PWRC standings in 2005.