IRC debut for motorbike world champion

Not content with showing his speed on two wheels, Gabor Talmacsi will spend 2012 attempting to demonstrate his pace on four when he embarks on his first full season of rallying.

And the 2007 125cc world motorcycle champion is set to make his Intercontinental Rally Challenge debut when he contests June’s Canon Mecsek Rallye in his native Hungary.

The 30-year-old nine-time grand prix winner has changed disciplines this year and is contesting the Hungarian Rally Championship, which supports the IRC round from 2/3 June.

On his rallying debut on the Szilveszter Rally late last season, Talmacsi finished fifth out of 140 entrants.

“I reached everything in MotoGP I had wanted,” said Talmacsi. “As I taste rallying I feel more motivated in this sport. It’s one of the most complex technical sports and this is a big challenge for me. This year I try to learn as much as possible.”

Before the IRC visits Hungary, Talmacsi will have tackled two rounds of the country’s national championship in his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX prepared by the Maricsek Team in Hungary.

“The IRC is a very strong series with very good drivers,” said Talmacsi. “It will be an extra motivation for me to challenge them.”