Viper Niza Racing Team Heads to Mugello to Kickstart 2026 Michelin 24H Series European Campaign
Malaysia’s Viper Niza Racing Team is set to take on the 12 Hours of Mugello in Italy this weekend (20-22 March) as it officially kicks off its Michelin 24H Series European campaign for 2026.
The 2026 European Endurance Calendar
The 2026 season will see Viper Niza Racing contesting all five rounds of the Michelin 24H Series:
- Round 1: 12 Hours of Mugello, Italy (20-22 March)
- Round 2: 12 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (17-19 April)
- Round 3: 12 Hours of Paul Ricard, France (5-7 June)
- Round 4: 12 Hours of Nürburgring, Germany (3-5 July)
- Round 5: 24 Hours of Barcelona, Spain (18-20 September)
Building on a Strong 2025 Debut
In only its first full season in Europe last year, Viper Niza finished 6th overall and 4th in the GT3-AM Class point standings in 2025 — despite competing in just four of the five scheduled rounds. The team missed the opening round at Mugello in 2025 when its Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO could not arrive in time, forgoing valuable championship points.
“Despite missing out on Mugello in 2025 and only managing to do four of the five scheduled rounds, we still managed to clinch 4th overall in the point standings of the GT3-AM Class in only our first full season of the European Series. The past season was both triumphant and challenging, but it definitely accelerated our learning process, an element that we hope will help to position the team as an even stronger contender this season,”
said Team Principal and Lead Driver Douglas Khoo.
A Season of Highs and Resilience
Viper Niza Racing’s 2025 European campaign showcased both promise and perseverance:
- Round 2 (Spa-Francorchamps): 6th overall, 4th in GT3 Class, 2nd in GT3-AM Class
- Round 3 (Misano): Retirement — the team’s first setback of the season
- Round 4 (Paul Ricard): 8th overall, 3rd in GT3-AM Class
- Round 5 (Barcelona): 11th in GT3 Class at the 24-hour finale
All-Malaysian Lineup, Ready for Mugello
Khoo will lead an all-Malaysian technical crew and driver line-up, including longtime partners Dominic Ang and Melvin Moh in the GT3-AM Class.
“It will be the first time for all of us at Mugello. We have put in significant hours on a simulator to familiarize ourselves with the circuit but again, the absence of feeling just how much of g-force you will endure around the corners means it will still be down to the first day of official testing and practice on race weekend.
As far as the car goes, we’ve completed a full teardown, inspection and carried out all necessary repairs and preventive maintenance in preparation for the season. We’re both excited to kickstart the season and better prepared. The target will be to consistently score valuable points in each of the five rounds and hopefully be in the top three overall position this season.”
About the Mugello Circuit
With history dating back to 1920, Mugello began as road races through nearby towns and villages. The present-day circuit was constructed in 1973 and opened in 1974.
Circuit specs:
- Length: 5.245 km
- Turns: 15 (including several very fast corners)
- Main straight: 1.141 km
In 1988, the track became formally owned by Scuderia Ferrari, and hosted its first Formula One race in 2020 — the Tuscan Grand Prix, which coincided with Ferrari’s 1,000th Grand Prix. Mugello is also home to the Italian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Recent Mugello Winners: A Competitive Field
No single manufacturer has dominated the 12 Hours of Mugello over the last three years in either the overall or AM Class categories:
| Year | Overall GT3 Winner | AM Class Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Manamauri Energy by Ebimotors (Porsche 911 GT3 R) | Heart of Racing by SPS (Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO) |
| 2024 | Team GP Elite (Porsche 911 GT3 R) | Herberth Motorsport (Porsche 911 GT3 R) |
| 2023 | HAAS RT (Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II) | Heart of Racing by SPS (Mercedes-AMG GT3) |
Backed by Trusted Partners
Viper Niza Racing is supported by Motul, IWC as its Official Watch Brand, Momentum Autoparts, and SPARCO Italy.
CarTok Editor’s Note:
Viper Niza Racing’s decision to contest the full five-round Michelin 24H Series European calendar signals more than ambition — it reflects a strategic commitment to building Malaysian motorsport credibility on the global stage. Finishing 4th in GT3-AM Class in their debut European season, despite missing the opening round, is no small feat.
Mugello, with its high-speed sweeps and technical demands, will be a true test of both machine and mentality. If the team can convert simulator preparation into race-day rhythm and avoid the reliability gremlins that haunt endurance racing, a top-three overall finish in 2026 isn’t just hopeful — it’s achievable. For Malaysian motorsport fans, every lap Khoo, Ang, and Moh complete in Europe isn’t just a race; it’s a statement that homegrown talent belongs among the world’s best.
