By Valerie Chia

Melvin Choo will become the first Singaporean driver to race in the Super GT (SGT) series at Kuala Lumpur's Sepang International Circuit on June 20.

The 38-year-old received confirmation last week that his application to compete in the high-level event had been accepted.

Kuala Lumpur will be the fourth leg of the nine-venue grand touring car series, which is into its 16th year. The other venues are in Japan.

Choo will drive a Toyota Celica in the GT300 class under independent team ThunderAsia Racing. Masaaki Bandoh, representative director of race promoters GT Association, welcomed Choo's addition, saying: "We hope this will spur more overseas participation."

Owing to a packed calendar that includes commitments in over 32 races, Choo has decided to race only in the Super GT's Malaysian leg but sees it as a "stepping stone to more SGT races next year".

He will also participate in the full season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Aston Martin Asia Cup, and three races in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), which will be held in 12 countries.

Last year, he became the first Singaporean and South-east Asian to race in the WTCC. He drove in two legs - Okayama, Japan, and Macau.

In Japan, he finished 23rd in the first race and 20th in the second. He retired in Macau.

Choo, who has two daughters aged two and three, is raring to start training for the 300km SGT event, his "most demanding race to date".

The biggest challenge is getting used to the infamous Sepang heat, which can top 40 deg C.

"I've heard of drivers blacking out," he said. "Also, it doesn't help that the car is designed such that the engine is beside the driver."

He will intensify his training as fitness is crucial in the two-hour- long race, and run during mid-day to get used to the heat. He will also count on his WTCC exposure.

"Then, everything was new to me and, suddenly, I went from big fish to a small guppy. But I managed to overcome my apprehension, so this time I should be able to handle the pressure better.

"A lot depends on luck. The Super GT is an endurance race, so there's more room for error. The whole team has to deliver perfectly to do well."

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.