In the world of endurance racing, fortunes can change in a heartbeat — a truth Malaysia’s Viper Niza Racing Team experienced firsthand at the 12 Hours of Misano in Italy. Entering the weekend on a high note, with strong pace during practice and a solid 10th place qualifying effort from a 23-car grid, the team looked poised for another commendable finish. But what began with promise ended in heartbreak.

The race started strong for Viper Niza, with driver Dominic Ang making swift progress through the field, pushing the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO into the top six overall and among the leaders in the GT3 AM class. However, just 90 minutes into the race, a power steering pump failure necessitated an unscheduled pit stop. Though the crew acted swiftly to replace the unit, the team lost ten crucial laps in the process.

Things took another unfortunate turn during Team Principal and lead driver Douglas Khoo’s stint. A routine pit stop and driver change turned costly when the rear left wheel was not properly fastened, forcing another return to the pits to address the dangerously wobbling wheel.

The final blow came during Melvin Moh’s stint, eight hours into the race. With only four hours left to the checkered flag, the car began leaking oil. Diagnosis revealed a cracked engine oil sump. Repairs would require extensive welding — a time investment the team couldn’t afford. With heavy hearts, Viper Niza Racing was forced to retire from the race, marking their first DNF of an otherwise successful year.

“It was a disastrous race for us. Power steering failure, rear left wheel wasn’t fastened properly, and then the oil sump had a crack,” said a disappointed Khoo. “And so this marks our first retirement in a year that has so far gone brilliantly with two podium finishes.”

The Misano circuit, more traditionally associated with motorcycle racing and home to the MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix, proved challenging for many competitors, with multiple retirements recorded. Khoo added, “It’s a real shame as many of our other competitors also retired from the race and the results could’ve been vastly different for us. We were competitive during practice sessions and had been within the range of another strong finish.”

Until Misano, the 2025 season had been highly promising for Viper Niza Racing. The team claimed 6th overall, 4th in the GT3 class, and 2nd in the GT3 AM class at the Michelin 12 Hours of Spa Francorchamps. They also celebrated a class victory and another runner-up finish at the Motul 12 Hours of Sepang.

Supported by sponsors including Motul, Endless & Momentum Autoparts, IWC (as the Official Watch Brand), and Jen Orchard Gateway Hotel in Singapore, Viper Niza Racing remains determined. With their competitive pace still undeniable and valuable lessons learned at Misano, the team is expected to bounce back stronger in their next outing.