We had the privilege of spending an intimate weekend with Singaporean team 356 ThunderAsia with drivers Melvin Choo and Tim Sugden along with their gorgeous Mosler MT900 race car.

Photos: Joel Tam

Being the first foreign team to be invited to participate in a full season of the Japan-based Super GT, is truly a special privilege. Comprised of an international party of Japanese, British, Malaysians and Singaporeans, team 365 ThunderAsia was given that honour early this year. However, it has truly been an uphill task for the team, to say the least. After a spell of DNFs (Sepang round included), due mainly to car issues, the team is still working hard to iron out the creases.

But it was never easy to begin with. Imagine going into a fight against 15 10th-degree black belters, welding only a red belt yourself. Sure, you may know some slick moves, but against experts who have been at it for the past 15 years, you're inevitably, still a newbie.

But our fingers are crossed and we'll be watching closely for that first full race finish, and then possibly a top-five finish by season's end?

However things turn out, we'll be here to report it and you'll be the first to know, because you're at Burnpavement.com.

Prepping the car one last time - about an hour before flag-off.

Rolling the car out, preparing for the starting ceremony.

This is it, the car won't be back into the pit until the race is in full swing.

Intense heat from the car and weather can cause drivers to pass out. Cooler box feeds cold water into drivers cool-suit.

Singaporean driver Melvin Choo strapped in and ready to go.

Mosler on the grid, receiving some final checks by local tuner Rhommell Singh.

Crowds go wild over the race queens and awesome GT cars.

Simply beautiful. The car's not that bad too.

One last team photo before the engines roar.

Mosler starts at 15th position and fights hard to move up the ranks.

Slight commotion at turn 3 enables the team to move up a few positions. But shortly after, water temperature issues limit the revs and the car lags behind.

Refuel and driver-change.

Quick huddle to assess and fix the hitch. But car doesn't make many more laps before Tim brings it in.

Let's hope Sugo will be better!