The
Subaru World Rally Team has revealed that it is in the 'early stages' of discussions with
MotoGP super star,
Valentino Rossi about his possible participation in the Rally GB, the final round in the 2007
FIA World Rally Championship.
Speculation has started to mount in recent weeks, in the countdown to the Welsh event, which runs from November 30 to December 2, and a spokesperson for the Banbury-based outfit has told
Crash.net that it is a real prospect.
"Yes it is a possibility. We have kept in contact with Valentino and his management since Rally New Zealand last year and would very much like to see him back in a Subaru for Rally GB. Although nothing is fixed as yet we are all working hard to try and make it happen," said the spokesperson.
Rossi has been planning to do this year's Rally GB for over a year and following his second outing in the WRC on the Rally New Zealand last November, he confirmed as much, after bringing his Impreza WRC car home in eleventh place.
Speaking in Auckland in 2006, Valentino said he felt ready for another attack on his 'home' event, after the disappointment of 2002, when he crashed out in his Michelin-backed Peugeot 206 WRC just 17 kilometres into the event.
"In 2007 at the end of the season,” Rossi declared, “I will definitely race again in the RAC [Rally GB].”
Whether a deal will actually come together remains to be seen - but with the MotoGP season ending on November 4 in Valencia, he won't have any racing commitments there to get in his way, although whether he will have any testing to do is uncertain at this time.
More to follow as and when it is available...
