MotoGP star Marco Melandri will trade two wheels for four when he joins the MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR)-run Lotus Cup Europe at Imola in Italy this weekend (19/20 September).

The Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki rider, who scored a podium finish in the French MotoGP event earlier this year, joins regular Lotus competitors to race an Exige Cup in a one-off outing.

Melandri will be hoping to transfer some of his motorcycle racing success over to his car debut, as the 27-year-old Italian won the 2002 250cc World Championship and also finished second in the 2005 MotoGP standings to Valentino Rossi.

The Lotus Cup Europe and Lotus Cup Italy will be supporting the FIA World Touring Car and Formula Two Championships at Imola this weekend.