Motorsport: Rossi ready to hit the road in Rally of NZ

Valentino Rossi

Seven-times world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi has confirmed he will compete in next month's Rally of New Zealand in a Subaru Impreza World Rally Car.

The 27-year-old Rossi, a superstar on and off the track, will compete in a Prodrive-prepared Subaru Impreza 2006 WRC at the penultimate round of the World Rally Championships that takes place in and around Hamilton from November 16 to 19.

The Italian pin-up star is widely considered one of the best motorcycle racers of all time and is rated among the top-10 highest earning athletes on the globe.

While Rossi was tipped to turn to Formula One after testing for Ferrari, he has opted for rallying in New Zealand. His debut in a fully fledged WRC Team car will create worldwide media attention.

Prodrive Chairman David Richards said the decision was exciting for the sport and for New Zealand.

"In the world of motorised sport, this guy is a superhero," said Richards. "He's got great charisma, great natural ability and it's going to be a real treat for everyone in New Zealand to come and see him in the rally. His involvement will provide a worldwide spotlight on the New Zealand event.

"Valentino has always been interested in rallying. While there has been all the talk about him going to Formula One, he has always said to us that if he was not racing a motorcycle, he wanted to be in rallying.

"Who knows? In a few more events we might see him in a permanent place in the rally championship."

Richards said the timing, and relative media isolation of New Zealand and the famed fast and flowing gravel roads were the main reasons that Rossi chose the event.

Rossi has driven Subarus in celebrity events in Italy and also tested with the Subaru World Rally Team.