Viper Niza Racing Starts 2026 Season on High Note with 4th Place Finish at Mugello
The all-Malaysian Viper Niza Racing Team kicked off their 2026 campaign with a resilient performance, securing a 4th place finish in the GT3-AM Class during the opening round of the Michelin 24H Series European Series.
A Strong Showing Against International Competition
Competing at the historic Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello in Italy, the team faced a grid of 28 cars. Starting from 14th position, the trio of Douglas Khoo, Dominic Ang, and Melvin Moh managed to climb the standings in their #65 green Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. Beyond their class success, the team finished 8th in the broader GT3 category and 10th overall, completing a total of 344 laps over the endurance event.
A Test of Endurance and Strategy
The 12 Hours of Mugello presented a unique challenge, split across two days. Race 1 ran for five-and-a-half hours on Saturday, after which all cars were placed in parc ferme (lockdown) before Race 2 resumed for another six-and-a-half hours on Sunday.
Dominic Ang took the wheel to start Race 1. The initial stint was clean, though the field was hampered by several Code 60 safety procedures which reduced speed and prohibited overtaking. Despite a puncture that forced an unscheduled pit stop, the team managed to end the first segment in 12th overall and 5th in the GT3-AM Class with 156 laps in the bag.
Race 2 proved even more demanding, with the team facing both dry and wet track conditions. Ang once again started the stint, but contact with a competitor led to a second puncture. The resulting unscheduled stop cost the team valuable time, threatening their podium hopes. However, all three drivers delivered strong stints, with Melvin Moh ultimately bringing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO across the finish line to secure the top-four class result.
Team Principal Reacts
Reflecting on the race, Team Principal and lead driver Douglas Khoo expressed satisfaction with the points haul despite the setbacks.
“We just missed out on a podium finish due to an unexpected puncture, but it was certainly a strong result to kickstart the 2026 season. There’s a long way to go with another four rounds, and the most important thing is to continue scoring valuable points that hopefully will help to consolidate an overall podium finish at the end of the season.”
He added:
“With points in the bag, we now need to keep our heads down and focus on the task at hand which is the overall championship.”
Looking Ahead to Spa
Viper Niza Racing has committed to contesting all five rounds of the Michelin 24H Series. The team now turns their attention to the next leg of the championship, which moves to the grueling 12 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, scheduled from 17-19 April.
In the overall standings, the race victory was claimed by the Sainteloc Junior Team’s Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II, while the GT3-AM Class win went to ARC Bratislava and their Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO.
The Malaysian contingent is backed by title partner Motul, Official Watch Brand IWC, Momentum Autoparts, and SPARCO Italy.
CarTok Editor’s Note
Viper Niza Racing’s 4th-place finish at Mugello is a solid opening result. Competing against seasoned European GT3 outfits in an endurance format is no small feat, especially for an all-Malaysian lineup operating far from home.
The double puncture setbacks could have derailed their race entirely, yet the team’s composure and consistent pace allowed them to recover and secure valuable championship points. That resilience matters more than the podium miss. With Spa-Francorchamps next—a circuit known for its unpredictability and demanding conditions—the team’s ability to adapt under pressure will be tested again.
This is a proud moment for Malaysian motorsport fans. Viper Niza are proving they can run with the best. If they maintain this momentum across the remaining four rounds, a season-ending podium is more than just hope—it’s a realistic target.
