The "Championshow" at Pesaro this weekend will not only see Michael Schumacher and Valentino Rossi in starring action, but also the public action debut of the New Fiat Grande Punto Abarth 'Super2000' rally car. This second edition of the "event-show" is once again being organised by MediaShow, however, this time Fiat Abarth is the official partner, and so the decision was made to bring the exciting new rally prototype to the international show.

While the focus of Championshow is to create a relaxed, end of season party for the motorcycling fraternity, it also aims to include a strong helping of motor racing, rallying, go-karting and other action across the scale. The whole event kicks off this morning at Pesaro - in a huge, purpose-built 300,000 square metre arena, with the participation of the most prestigious names in the world of racing with engines assured. Valentino Rossi - Italy's greatest current day sportsman, a true hero to the nation - rounded out another dominating MotoGP season at Valencia just last Sunday where he lifted the MotoGP title trophy for a record fifth consecutive time, his seventh championship in total. "The Doctor" will be present at Championshow, demonstrating several machines, in front of what is sure to be a huge army of fans who will be turning out to celebrate yet another title for Rossi. The most successful bike racer of the decade will rub shoulders with the most successful Grand Prix driver of the decade, as Michael Schumacher is also due to take part, and a man who has won titles on both two and four wheels - John Surtees - is also likely to reappear, as is another genuine Italian bike legend, Giacomo Agostini.

Fiat will demonstrate the nimble new Grande Punto Abarth 'Super2000' rallycar - first seen at the  Frankfurt IAA in September - in public for the first time. But huge attention will be focused on who will actually get behind the wheel. And the question will be: will Valentino Rossi finally try it?
 

Fiat have made no secret whatsoever of their desire to have the Italian superstar test their new car, and this end of year 'party' could be just the relaxed environment in which to have him take the wheel. Former World Rally Champion Colin McRae took part in the Championshow last year and could also be earmarked to get behind the wheel. Either way a lot of attention will be focused on the helmet of the driver when the Grande Punto rallycar bursts out onto the track.

The Championshow aims to create a holiday atmosphere in which the motorcycle pilots and other protagonists can meet up again in Campanara to race and enjoy the event with the support of the fans, while old times are remembered, and the fans can admire the many past champions and enter into dialogue with them. Competitions and motorcycle exhibitions, rally, kart, mini-moto, driving skill tests, freestyle events, moto tests, and Moto GP bikes of all eras will gather in Pesaro on the spectacular circuit, which Graziano Rossi will test during the preview prior the event, while other initiatives will flow outwards, including safe guide tests conducted by professionals from their sectors, sporting expository spaces for the big motocycle manufacturing houses, shows-markets, conventions, and meetings with the pilots, manager teams and journalists.