MotoGP legend to race for Children in Need

Valentino Rossi will compete in next month’s Wales Rally, an event he competed in six years ago without success. The Italian will drive a Ford Focus in aid of the BBC’s Children in Need charity event. Prior to the Welsh event, he will also take part in the Monza Rally, an event he won in 2006 and 2007.

“I am hoping for a good result at next weekend’s Monza Rally to prepare for the forests of Wales,” said Rossi. “I’m also delighted to be supporting BBC Children in Need, which does such vital work in the UK.”

Mr Rossi seems obsessed with four-wheeled machines at the moment. On November 20/21, he will test in a Ferrari F2008 at Mugello.

Will Kimi be tempted by rally offer?

World Rally team boss Malcolm Wilson has offered Kimi a test in one of his team’s Ford Focus cars. Raikkonen has said several times he would be interested in rallying after he quits F1, perhaps in 2010.

“I’d offer him a test,” Wilson told Eurosport. “It’d be a great opportunity for us.”