Rossi confirm for Rally NZ

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has entered the Rally New Zealand, the penultimate round of the world championship which takes place next month.

The Camel Yamaha rider, currently second in the MotoGP standings with two races remaining, will race a Subaru Impreza S11 World Rally Car as a private entry. The Italian will not race as an official driver of the Subaru World Rally Team. Managing director Richard Taylor told www.wrc.com; "Valentino has entered Rally New Zealand privately in his own name. "He will, however, be driving a car supplied by us - in fact, the car which Chris Atkinson drove in Germany this year.

"There's still a bit of work to do on the details, and it may be run alongside the Subaru team. But it will certainly not be an SWRT-liveried car. "I think this is great news. It's wonderful that he is this interested in the WRC - and, of course, we're glad he will be driving a Subaru." Rossi raced in Rally GB in 2002 in a Peugeot 205WRC but crashed out early on the first day. He has been linked with a move to Formula One in the past - but despite testing for Ferrari, he has a deal to race with Yamaha in MotoGP next season.