A Super GT race is held in Motegi, Japan, last August. /Courtesy of the organizing committee of Super GT Korea

The Super GT All Star 2013, a car racing event, will come to Korea for the first time on May 18-19 at the International Circuit in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, the host venue of the Formula One Grand Prix.

In the competition, modified passenger cars race at speeds reaching 320 km/h in two categories based on horsepower. Super GT is considered a top-three touring car race along with the FIA GT Championship and the German Touring Car Masters.

From its start in 1994, the event was called the Japanese Grand Touring Championship until a name change in 2005. Malaysia started hosting in 2002.

There are eight races in the Super GT series each year, but the one in Korea will be held outside of the regular season. The event is composed of GT500 races, for cars with horsepower of up to 500, and GT300 events for those reaching up to 300 horsepower.

Nine European manufacturers are represented in the more than 30 participating cars, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Four Japanese makers -- Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Subaru -- will also be in the race. Korea's Hyundai Genesis Coupe will participate as a GT300 class car.