OCTOBER 12, 2006

Bikes and cars

MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi had ambitions of being a Formula 1 driver and did a series of tests with Ferrari but it seems that he has concluded that he may be better off in rallying and has now entered a private Subaru in the upcoming New Zealand Rally. The car was previously used by Subaru factory driver Chris Atkinson. It is the second time Rossi has entered a WRC event, the first having been in Britain in 2002. Rossi is in the process of trying to win a sixth MotoGP title, battling with American Nicky Hayden.

That battle will continue this weekend in Estoril where Mario Illien's Ilmor MotoGP team will be seen in action for the first time with Australia's Garry McCoy riding.