Rossi enters Rally of New Zealand

[totalmotorcycle]

Rossi enters Rally of New Zealand
Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - Super Wheels - superwheels.co.za



Multiple world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi will once again try his hand at four wheels, this time in a Subaru Impreza on this weekend's Rally of New Zealand.

Rossi will join Subaru regulars Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson in a Subaru World Rally Team-prepared private entry.

"I have done a little bit before with Subaru in Italy last year and decided to try here because I know it is one of the best rallies in the championship," said Rossi. "I want to understand how the car works and my potential in rallying and make it to the finish, but I want to have fun and enjoy myself."

Rossi previously entered the 2002 Rally of Great Britain with Carlo Cassina as his co-driver in a Michelin-backed Peugeot 206 WRC, but he crashed out in the second stage. Cassina will once again call the notes for Rossi in this weekend's rally.

Last week Rossi tried out a German touring car championship (DTM) Mercedes in his latest foray into four-wheeled sport. He drove the car used by ex-Formula One champion Häkkinen in this year's DTM series.