Jazeman Jaafar Joins AMR Team Viper Niza for Sepang 12 Hours

Local racing driver Jazeman Jaafar is set to partake in the upcoming 2023 Sepang 12 Hours endurance place, racing for Aston Martin Racing (AMR)-partnered local outfit, Team Viper Niza. The Malaysian driver will join suit with compatriots Douglass Khoo and Dominic Ang in an all-Malaysian assault for the upcoming endurance race.

Commenting on his participation with Team Viper Niza for the Sepang 12 hours, Jazeman said he was thrilled and excited to work together with a highly-respected team, which also marks his first-time racing in an Aston Martin machinery.

“It is indeed an honour and a privilege to be competing in this prestigious event with this team. It is blessed with a wealth of experience as Viper Niza Racing has previously competed in various categories and championships such as Asian Le Mans Series, TCR, 24 Hours Series and others.

“We will be driving a freshly-built Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for the Sepang 12 Hours. I am really looking forward to test out the car and share my feedback with the team to work out on the car set-up and strategy for the race. It is going to be very challenging as I expect competition will be very stiff; given the prestige of the event. But; we will be ready to give our best and make Malaysia proud,” said Jazeman.

The Sepang 12 Hours is poised to return this year, after more than six years of absence, with the last edition to be held back in 2016. Team Viper Niza team principal and driver Douglas Khoo said the team is “absolutely thrilled to be back racing at the prestigious Sepang 12 Hours and we jumped at the opportunity. 

On behalf of the team, I would like to congratulate Sepang International Circuit for bringing back an incredibly exciting event,” Khoo added.

Founded in 2009 as Niza Racing, the Shah Alam-based local outfit now employs GT3-spec Aston Martin Vantage race cars for the upcoming endurance race. Before this, Team Viper Niza also competed in numerous racing competitions across Asia, including the TCR Asia Series, Asian Le Mans Series and Thailand Super Series.

On the decision to rope in Jazeman, Khoo said, “As the team is still new to the Aston Martin Vantage, we wanted to have as many experienced drivers assist with setting up the car as well as be fast. Jazeman has a wealth of experience racing different types of car and would certainly be a benefit to the team.”

Prior to this entrant, Jazeman previously competed in the World GT Challenge Asia with another local racing outfit, Triple 8 Johor Motorsport Racing Team, as well as in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) with Virage Team last year. The 30-year-old driver has been involved in motorsport for the majority part of his life, carrying over 23 years of racing experience on his back. 

For the record, Jazeman has competed in numerous European and Asian competitions throughout his career, this includes the Formula BMW Asia, British Formula 3 International Series, World Series by Renault, GT World Challenge and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Last held in 2016, theSepang 12 Hours is poised to begin from Mar 16 to 18, 2023, made into fruition through a partnership between Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and renowned international race promoter, Top Speed. This endurance race features both GT3-spec racecars, as well as a slew of touring car classes, racing around the FIA Grade 1 Sepang Circuit for about 12 hours. Teams compete against each other to achieve the best overall time.