Bruno Magalhaes

Bruno Magalhaes is a rally driver from Portugal who currently competes in the different national and international rally competitions. His greatest international success is the second place in the 2017 European Rally Chapionship. Earlier in a career, Bruno was the Portuguese rally champion three times, in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Bruno Magalhaes

Starting with rallying in 1999, WRC debut in 2000

Born in July 1980, Magalhaes started his rally career in 1999, entering the national rally championship with Ford Escort RS Cosworth at Rali Vinho de Madeira and then Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V. Bruno's navigator in his rookie season was Paulo Moura.

In March 2000, Magalhaes made a WRC debut, participating at Rallye de Portugal in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V. He finished 32nd overall and 13th in PWRC class.

Later in 2000, Magalhaes was driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI in the national championship, staying also in that car in 2001. At Rallye de Portugal, he retired on the second day.

Switching to Peugeot in 2002

In 2002, Magalhaes made a switch to A6-class Peugeot 206 GTi, sharing it with new navigator Paulo Grave.

He was using that car in the national championship until 2004, then replacing it with Peugeot 206 S1600 in 2005. Next year, in 2006, Magalhaes finished third in the Portuguese championship.

Bruno Magalhaes won three championship titles in a Peugeot 207 S2000

Three consecutive championship titles in Portugal

In 2007, Bruno Magalhaes dominated in the Portuguese Rally Championship in a Peugeot 207 S2000, scoring seven victories and taking his first championship title. His navigator was Paulo Grave. Magalhaes also participated in the Portuguese WRC round, finishing 17th overall and second in N4 class.

Bruno captured one more national title in 2008. This time, he was sharing a Peugeot 207 S2000 with Mario Castro and Carlos Magalhaes, scoring again seven victories. The third consecutive title with the same car followed in 2009 when he was sharing a car with Carlos Magalhaes. They were winners in six events.

Bruno Magalhaes at 2011 Rallye Monte-Carlo

One victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge

In 2010, Magalhaes made a step up to the international level, participating full season in the International Rally Challenge. He was driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 for Peugeot Sport Portugal, scoring one victory at SATA Rally Azores and finishing fifth in the points.

In 2011, he participated in seven IRC events, finishing best in the fifth place at Tour de Corse and Rallye Sanremo. He also took part in the Rallye de Portugal WRC round, finishing 12th overall and first in class 2.

Bruno Magalhaes was driving different Peugeot cars from 2002 to 2015

Replacing Peugeot 207 with Peugeot 208 in 2014

Bruno slowed down his rally activities in 2012, participating in just two international events in Portugal. He retired at Rallye Azores (IRC) and won at Rally Vinho de Madeira (ERC). In 2013, he participated in selected Portuguese events, including WRC round, but without notable results.

In 2014, Bruno won again at Rally Vinho de Madeira, a part of the European Rally Trophy. In the rest of the season, he participated in seven ERC events, finishing best in the fifth place at Cyprus and Greece. During the year, he switched from Peugeot 207 S2000 to Peugeot 208 T16.

In 2015, Magalhaes won again at Rally Vinho de Madeira and took part in five WRC events. In 2015, Hugo Magalhaes became his navigator. In 2016, they participated in just one event, finishing fourth at Madeira in a Ford Fiesta R5.

Bruno Magalhaes in 2017

European rally vice-champion in 2017

In 2017, Bruno returned full time to the European Rally Championship, sharing a cockpit of a Škoda Fabia R5 with his brother Hugo. They won Azores Rallye and added three more podiums, finishing third in the final ERC standings behind KajetanKajetanowicz, who captured his third consecutive ERC title.

In 2018, Magalhaes brothers continued to compete in a Škoda Fabia R5. They won Acropolis Rally and finished second at Cyprus Rally, finishing the season 3rd in the ERC classification.

In 2019, Bruno switched to Hyundai i20 R5 of Hyundai Team Portugal, competing mostly in the Portuguese championship.

Bruno Magalhaes (right) has won Acropolis Rally in 2018

Photos: Bruno Magalhaes Rally, Alexandre Guillaumot, Gregory Lenormand/DPPI, Petr Sagner/ewrc-results.com,