Last updated 19:59, Thursday, 06 November 2008

VALENTINO Rossi (pictured), the six times MotoGP world champion, will drive an M-Sport car in next month’s Wales Rally GB.

Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Fiat Yamaha Team holds the champion trophy during the award ceremony

Rossi will be in a Ford Focus RS bearing special livery for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal.

The Italian said: “This is really exciting news. I'm looking forward to Wales Rally GB.

“I’m delighted to be supporting 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, of event organiser, International Motor Sports Ltd, said: “Valentino is a supreme ambassador for all forms of motor sport.”

With Carlo Cassina as his navigator, Rossi’s drive will come two weeks after the televised BBC Children in Need event.

Children in Need’s Marc Phillips, said: “It’s a tremendous honour to have Valentino promoting Children in Need.

“Rally GB will be a fabulous final flourish. With a charity auction at the service park on the Friday night and volunteers collecting throughout the rally, it will be important for us.”

Rally GB is on December 4-7.