Now that entries for the event have closed, it is confirmed that MotoGP star Valentino Rossi has entered this year's Propecia Rally New Zealand, the penultimate round of the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship.
The Italian star will drive a Subaru Impreza S11 World Rally Car but as a private entry and not an official part of the Subaru World Rally Team.
SWRT Managing Director Richard Taylor told 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."
Taylor also confirmed that the exact details of how the car will be run are yet to be finalised; "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."
Rossi has competed in the WRC only once before, Rally GB in 2002, at the wheel of a Grifone-run and Michelin-supported Peugeot 205WRC. However, his was a short event, as he went off the road early on the first day.
The choice of a Subaru for this occasion comes after previous outings with the Japanese marque. "Valentino has driven a car with us several times before, at Monza and Bologna and said that he would like to do another WRC event. New Zealand has been discussed for several months, as it fits in with his MotoGP programme and it's an event he would like to compete in."
Rossi's Yamaha runs on Michelin tyres in the MotoGP series but when he has driven Subarus, he has run on Pirelli tyres, the same as the SWRT. Taylor also confirmed that this is one area that is still to be confirmed.
"I think this is great news," Taylor said. "It's wonderful that he is this interested in the WRC and of course, we're glad that he will be driving a Subaru."
-WRC.com
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