What began as a weekend teetering on the edge of calamity ended with a podium celebration for Malaysia’s Viper Niza Racing at the 12 Hours of Paul Ricard. Overcoming a catastrophic crash in qualifying and an almost certain withdrawal from the race, the team clawed their way to a 3rd place finish in the GT3-AM class—earning them not only a hard-fought trophy but also the Spirit of the Race award.
The drama unfolded just minutes into the second GT3 Class qualifying session on Friday, 4 July. Driver Dominic Ang suffered a heavy impact with a concrete barrier that severely damaged the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO. With the chassis beyond immediate repair, Viper Niza Racing was suddenly faced with the grim prospect of being sidelined from the main event.
But in a stunning show of resilience and resourcefulness, the team secured a last-minute rental car—an identical Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO that had just completed a test session with Red Ant Racing, another team present at the track. With virtually no seat time in the new machine and starting from the back of the grid, Viper Niza launched a methodical and consistent charge forward.
“The grip during the hot sessions was not good,” explained Team Principal and lead driver Douglas Khoo. “We’re still investigating the crash, but we suspect it might have been caused by a loose component. Regardless, to even make it to the grid the next day was a small miracle.”
The team’s strategic approach paid off. Beginning cautiously to allow all drivers—including third driver Melvin Moh—to acclimatize to the unfamiliar car, the team steadily gained pace. Lap after lap, they climbed the ranks to finish 8th overall and clinch 3rd in class.
“To finish the way we did was nothing short of divine intervention,” said Khoo. “We were lucky to get the car, but it was consistency and teamwork that delivered the result.”
Their result marked the team’s best-ever performance at the 5.842km French circuit, echoing memories of their 2018 Paul Ricard effort, where they placed 13th in a 4-hour endurance race with a Ligier JSP3 in the LMP3 class.
This year’s comeback performance has fortified Viper Niza Racing’s position in the overall GT3-AM standings of the Creventic 12H Series. With one round remaining in Barcelona this September, the team now sits in a stronger position to end the season on a high note.
Backed by Motul, Endless, Momentum Autoparts, IWC (Official Watch Brand), and Jen Orchard Gateway Hotel Singapore, Viper Niza Racing’s indomitable spirit and never-say-die attitude have not only won them points and a trophy—but the admiration of an entire paddock.
