Both men are to do the event as a one-off - Englishman Blundell in an MG and Italian Rossi in a Peugeot 206.

It will be Blundell's first competitive outing since this year's Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race, in which he ran as high as third in an MG.

He said: "I've not been behind the steering wheel this year that often so I'm looking forward to it. I hope we'll get a result out of it.

"Rally GB is going to be a very exciting challenge. It's quite daunting, but I can't wait to get in the MG and give it a crack.

"I'm planning to do a couple of stage rallies in the coming weeks to prepare myself for the big task ahead, but I know that this is certainly going to be a very tough event.

"I'm looking forward to being back in the driving seat, although it'll be very strange to have someone sat beside me - I'm used to being out on my own."

Blundell's co-driver for the event will be Daily Express F1 journalist Bob McKenzie.

Rossi will be driving a Peugeot 206 with Carlo Cassina as his co-driver in the rally, the last event in this year's world championship.

"I'm taking this rally seriously," said the 23-year-old.

"I know that this British leg is hard, so just to finish will be a huge thrill for me."

Rossi is to test a Formula One car in the new year, but has been tight-lipped about rumours suggesting he might switch codes.

"I don't know about Formula One. I don't tell of any plans," he said last weekend.

Rossi dominated this year's MotoGP championship, clinching the crown in Brazil a fortnight ago to add to the title he won last year.