Viper 65 Racing Takes Malaysian Team Into 2027 With Expanded International Campaign
Malaysian GT3 racing outfit Viper Niza Racing Team will enter the 2027 season under a new identity, Viper 65 Racing Team, as it prepares for an expanded international racing campaign across Europe, South Africa and Asia.
The team, which finished third overall in the GT3-AM Class of the 2026 Michelin 24H Series European Series, will return to the endurance championship next year while adding a new 24-hour race in South Africa and committing to the full Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship calendar.
The rebranding marks a new chapter for the Malaysian-owned team, which has established itself in international endurance racing while continuing to provide opportunities for Malaysian drivers and technical crew.
European And Beyond
Viper 65 Racing will compete in all five rounds of the 2027 Michelin 24H Series European Series, beginning with the 12H of Mugello in Italy.
The championship will then head to Belgium for the 12H of Spa-Francorchamps, followed by the 12H of Paul Ricard in France and the 12H of Red Bull Ring in Austria.
The season will conclude with the 24H of Barcelona in Spain.
Before the European campaign begins, however, the team will take on the new 24H of Kyalami in South Africa. The standalone race will mark the return of international GT3 racing to the circuit since 2023.
Team principal and lead driver Douglas Khoo will spearhead the team’s GT3 campaign alongside longtime partners Dominic Ang and Melvin Moh.
The trio will continue to compete in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, retaining the team’s customary race number 65.
Full Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Campaign
Beyond endurance racing, Viper 65 Racing will also contest the full 2027 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship calendar.
The championship is scheduled to comprise 13 rounds across five venues, beginning with two rounds at Zhuhai International Circuit in China, followed by two rounds at Shanghai International Circuit.
The series will then move to Japan for three rounds at Fuji Speedway before heading to Malaysia for six rounds at Petronas Sepang International Circuit.
The season will conclude with two rounds at Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, held in conjunction with the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix.
Khoo will lead the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia campaign individually, building on the team’s debut in the championship in 2026.
Despite being relatively new to the series, Viper Niza Racing Team finished fourth in the Masters’ Class, adding another result to an already strong year in international competition.
“2026 has been an exceptionally strong and rewarding year for the team. We finished fourth overall in GT3 and third overall in the GT3-AM Class, our best performance yet in two full seasons of joining the Series.
“Viper 65 Racing has always preferred endurance racing over sprint races, but 2026 also marked the team’s debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship where despite still being on a learning curve, we managed to finish fourth in the Masters’ Class,” said Khoo.
Significance Behind The Name
The new team name carries a personal significance for Khoo, with the number 65 closely associated with his racing journey.
The number refers to his birth year, 1965, and also appeared on the first race car he purchased, a Ford Capri that competed in the Asia Classic Car Challenge in 2013.
The year 1965 is also associated with the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, providing the inspiration for the Viper name and the team’s signature green livery.
“Changing the team name to Viper 65 Racing bears a lot of significance moving forward. The number 65 has always been important because it happens to be the year I was born.
“Coincidentally, the first race car I purchased, a Ford Capri competing in the Asia Classic Car Challenge in 2013, was also numbered 65! 1965 is also known as the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac, hence the word Viper and the team’s signature green livery,” he said.
Malaysian Team, International Pedigree
Viper 65 Racing remains a fully Malaysian-owned outfit with Malaysian drivers and mechanics.
The team said it will continue to provide opportunities for local drivers and technical crew to participate in international motorsport, carrying the Malaysian flag onto some of the world’s most demanding racing circuits.
It is also the primary Asian racing team competing in every round of the Michelin 24H Series European Series.
Before entering the European endurance championship, the team built its racing portfolio across several international categories.
Its previous campaigns included the TCR Asia Series, TCR International Series, TCR Thailand Series and WTCR World Touring Car Series with a SEAT Leon Supra.
The team also competed in the Asian Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup with a Ligier JS P3 LMP3, as well as the Blancpain GT Series.
In 2019, it became the first Malaysian outfit to participate in the Road to Le Mans race, which serves as a precursor to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The number 65 has remained a constant throughout Khoo’s racing journey, and is now the defining identity of the team’s next chapter.
Viper 65 Racing will continue to receive support from Motul, IWC as its Official Watch Brand, Momentum Autoparts and SPARCO Italy.
CarTok Editor’s Note
Viper 65 Racing’s expanded 2027 programme is a significant commitment for a Malaysian team, particularly with a full European endurance campaign, a 24-hour race in South Africa and a complete Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season on its schedule.
The results in 2026 suggest the team has built a credible foundation. Endurance racing is about consistency, preparation and technical support more than it is about outright speed. Competing across multiple regions will certainly test those capabilities, especially when logistics and maintaining a competitive car are critical factors.
It is also heartening to see a Malaysian-bred team committed to developing local drivers and mechanics. International racing opportunities can help build technical expertise and experience that extend beyond the cockpit and track.
