Rossi says he wants to see how seriously he can compete in rallying

The Yamaha MotoGP rider is competing in the New Zealand rally and rallying's commercial rights holder David Richards says it could become more permanent.

"He would be 100% good for the championship," he told Autosport.

"One of the goals he has when he's finished racing is a couple of seasons rallying. We're very keen on that."

I need to know if I like it and if I have good potential for the future Valentino Rossi

Rossi, who won the MotoGP title for five straight seasons before losing out to Nicky Hayden this year, had several test drives in a Ferrari F1 car before ruling out a move.

He also recently drove a Mercedes touring car at Hockenheim.

"It's very sensible the way he is starting out and doing a couple of events quietly, without any of the media attention that surrounded him when he went for his F1 test," said Richards.

"I know that he found all of the interest a terrible distraction and it would be difficult to get the chance to develop under that kind of scrutiny. I know he would like to look at the WRC."

606 DEBATE: What do you think Rossi should do next?

Rossi has competed once before in a world championship rally, driving a Peugeot for the privately-run Grifone team in Britain in 2002, but failed to finish the first leg.

"I must start slow and get better. I want to understand a real WRC rally and to understand the future when I stop the bike racing," said Rossi after arriving in New Zealand for the rally.