Villagra to compete in the IRC

Federico Villagra will make his Intercontinental Rally Challenge debut on Rally Argentina in March. The 40-year-old Argentine, winner of his domestic title on eight previous occasions, will drive an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 on the gravel rally, round three of the 12-event series.

Villagra forged a reputation as a Group N specialist in his homeland but has also competed in the World Rally Championship at the wheel of a Ford Focus WRC, where he has become a regular point-scorer for the Munchi’s-backed semi-works Ford team.

Argentina is a new addition to the IRC this season. The event will be based in the town of Carlos Paz, near Córdoba, and will run from March 19-21.

Several IRC regulars are due to make the trip to Argentina, including defending IRC champion Kris Meeke, Skoda UK Motorsport driver Guy Wilks, Peugeot Sport Portugal’s Bruno Magalhaes and Stohl Racing’s young Brazilian find Daniel Oliveira.