Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will see a MotoGP vs. IndyCar 'exhibition race' featuring Dani Pedrosa and Marco Andretti.

The event, to help publicise this weekend's MotoGP round, is described as follows: "For the first time, we will put face to face the fury of a MotoGP bike with the lightness and speed of an IndyCar.

"Dani Pedrosa (SPA) and Marco Andretti (USA) will get the most out of their engines at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oval. American Nicky Hayden will be the judge on this amazing contest."

It is expected that Pedrosa and Andretti will compete one lap of the road course together, ending with a 'drag race' from the final turn to the finish line. Hayden will throw the green flag as 'Marshall'.

An IndyCar has a turbocharged 2.2-litre V6 engine, producing 700 horsepower and a top speed of 230mph. It weighs 700kg.

Pedrosa's Repsol Honda has a 1000cc V4 engine, producing in excess of 240 horsepower and a top speed of 217mph. It weighs 158kg.

The event is scheduled to take place at 5pm.

28-year-old Marco is the son of Michael Andretti and grandson of Mario Andretti. He is a double IndyCar race winner and currently seventh in this year's championship.