By Crystal Chan

FOR the first time, a Hummer will be taking part in The New Paper's SUVival Challenge.

Last year, a Porsche Cayenne was among the fleet of SUVs.

On 25 Apr, Mr Keith Tan and his team of four will be lining up at the starting blocks for two days of fun and adventure in the drive up to Kuantan.

At $188,000, the military-inspired Hummer H3 is considered a luxury SUV.

Mr Tan, 29, a manager in a car dealership, said: 'I've done a bit of rally driving in the United Kingdom and I'm very much into motorsports. So driving in rough terrain appeals to me.'

Mr Tan, a first-time participant, said he is depending on one of his three friends driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara and who is familiar with Malaysian roads.

He said: 'All of us share the same enthusiasm for fun and adventure. We believe the event will be challenging since we're going to drive off-road and on sandy slopes.

'I'll also be spicing up my car with decals, because I want to go all out for the best decorated SUV prize.'

Mr Tan did not take part in previous SUVival challenges as he had been working in Manchester for seven years before returning to Singapore last year.

He said: 'I came back because Singapore is still my home and I missed my parents.'

The Hummer will be 92nd in the convoy.

The event is in its fourth year. The last three destinations were Desaru, Malacca and Bukit Tinggi.

This article was first published in The New Paper.