Mugello, Italy – March 2026
Malaysia’s Viper Niza Racing Team has kicked off its 2026 Michelin 24H Series European campaign on a strong note, securing an impressive 4th place finish in the GT3-AM Class at the season-opening 12 Hours of Mugello in Italy.
Piloting the #65 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, the all-Malaysian trio of Douglas Khoo, Dominic Ang, and Melvin Moh delivered a resilient performance across the grueling two-part endurance race, finishing 8th in GT3 and 10th overall after completing 344 laps.
From Preparation to Performance
Heading into the season opener, Mugello marked a significant milestone for the team. After missing the 2025 Mugello round due to logistical setbacks, Viper Niza returned determined to start strong in what is now its second full European campaign.
The team entered 2026 with growing confidence, having finished 4th overall in the GT3-AM standings in 2025 despite competing in only four of five rounds. Extensive preparation—including simulator work and a full rebuild of the car—underscored their intent to challenge consistently this season.
“It will be the first time for all of us at Mugello,” said Team Principal and lead driver Douglas Khoo prior to the race. “The goal is to consistently score valuable points and aim for a top-three overall finish this season.”
Race Weekend: Grit Through Adversity
The 12-hour endurance event was split into two segments—Race 1 (5.5 hours) on Saturday and Race 2 (6.5 hours) on Sunday—testing both performance and reliability.
Starting 14th on the grid in a competitive 28-car field, Dominic Ang took the opening stint. A clean start was disrupted by multiple Code 60 periods and an early puncture, forcing an unscheduled pit stop. Despite the setback, the team fought back to finish Race 1 in 12th overall and 5th in class after 156 laps.
Race 2 brought even tougher conditions, with mixed weather and on-track incidents. Another puncture following contact with a competitor cost valuable time, but the team maintained composure. Strong, consistent stints from all three drivers ensured they stayed in contention, with Melvin Moh ultimately bringing the car home.
Just Shy of the Podium
Despite the challenges, Viper Niza narrowly missed out on a podium finish.
“We just missed out on a podium due to an unexpected puncture, but it’s still a strong result to kickstart the 2026 season,” said Khoo. “The focus now is to keep scoring points and stay in the championship fight.”
Looking Ahead
The Mugello result puts Viper Niza in a solid position early in the championship standings, with momentum on their side heading into the next round.
The team will now turn its attention to the 12 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium (17–19 April), followed by stops at:
- Paul Ricard (France)
- Nürburgring (Germany)
- Barcelona (Spain)
With a full five-round campaign ahead, consistency will be key as the team pushes toward an overall podium finish in the GT3-AM standings.
About Mugello
Steeped in motorsport history, the Mugello Circuit—owned by Ferrari—features a 5.245 km layout with 15 high-speed corners and a 1.141 km straight, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Europe. Its mix of technical sections and flowing corners proved a true test for both drivers and machinery over the race weekend.
Team Support
Viper Niza Racing continues to be backed by Motul, IWC (Official Watch Brand), Momentum Autoparts, and Sparco Italy, reinforcing its growing presence on the European endurance racing stage.
