Valentino Rossi will support the BBC Children in Need appeal on Wales Rally GB 08

valentino rossi children in need rally gb Valentino Rossi will support the BBC Children in Need appeal on Wales Rally GB 08

Valentino Rossi has confirmed his participation on Wales Rally GB this year in an M-Sport Ford Focus WRC.

It was also confirmed that Rossi will be supporting BBC Children in Need on the event and the car will be decaled with the charity's logo, Pudsey Bear.

Rossi confirmed the news to wrc.com:

This is really exciting news. I’m looking forward to Wales Rally GB and am hoping for a good result at next weekend’s Monza Rally in order to prepare for the forests.

I’m also delighted to be supporting BBC Children in Need, which does such vital work in the UK. It’s a great charity and one I’m very pleased to be involved in.”

Andrew Coe, chief executive of event organiser International Motor Sports Ltd, said:

We’re delighted to welcome Valentino Rossi to this year’s Wales Rally GB. He is a supreme ambassador for all forms of motor sport, as well as a remarkably-gifted sportsman. We look forward to seeing him take on the challenges of the Welsh forests.”

Children in Need spokesperson Marc Phillips commented:

It’s a tremendous honour to have Valentino Rossi promoting BBC Children in Need. We have had a remarkable response to this year’s event on November 14th - and Wales Rally GB will be a fabulous final flourish for us.

With a charity auction being held at the Service Park on the Friday night and volunteers collecting throughout the rally, it will be an important few days for us.”

Ford boss Malcolm Wilson believes Rossi could potentially finish in the top ten:

I have to say he’s picked potentially one of the most difficult rallies, so it’s going to be hard for sure, but at least he’s got New Zealand under his belt. If he can get a good test without any problems and get familiar with the car then a lot will depend on the conditions.

There’s no reason at all why he can’t finish in the top 20 and if the conditions are dry and things go his way then probably somewhere between 8th and 15th.”