ASCAR: Deuce Racing and Ray Mallock Ltd join forces

British oval racing's two biggest teams have combined to create what is being dubbed ASCAR's first Super Team.

Deuce Racing, ASCAR's most widely popularised team have linked up with 2002 Champions, Ray Mallock Ltd, a winning formula both on and off the track.

The team will be titled Deuce Racing recognising the distinctive playing card branding that Deuce has already established, but will carry the distinctive RML shield and name as part of its new, soon to be revealed team logo.

New to motorsport at the outset of the 2002 season, Deuce Racing quickly injected style and glamour back into British Motorsport as part of its most dynamic genre - ASCAR. From its unmistakeable "Aces High" logo and frequent on track drama to celebrity guests and charitable projects, Deuce Racing created a whirlwind that brought them into the hearts and minds of people throughout Britain and oval racing's spiritual home, the United States.

RML have long been one of Britain's most respected race engineering companies, not only taking the Championship first and second places in ASCAR's first full season, but also winning the European Le Mans Series, the British Rally Championship and British Touring Car Championships in recent years. In fact, RML have won every major championship they have entered within the first three years of competition. Their engineering excellence effectively guarantees regular podium finishes and a strong challenge in 2003 to gain the Championship title for the new partnership.

A top quality Deuce Racing stable will be taken from some of the star names in ASCAR and British motorsport, including drivers experienced in the Le Mans 24 hours and the British GT Championship, whilst Deuce Racing have retained former Formula 3 star Derek Hayes as the driver of the Team TA Car.

The new Deuce Racing team is set to dominate ASCAR both on and off track and with the continued support of the Territorial Army and Isis Model Management will be maintaining Deuce's reputation as the most prominent team in pit lane, whilst RML's involvement will see the team attempt to dominate Victory Lane itself.

Peter Malmström of Deuce Racing says: "ASCAR is a phenomenal platform for both on and off track excitement. RML's performance and reputation made them the obvious partner to engineer and run the Deuce ASCARs. The fact that they also recognise and respect Deuce Racing's abilities makes this racing partnership particularly significant. Sponsors and fans alike can expect excellent racing and some dominant form from this new 'Super Team'".

"We enjoyed competing and securing a 1-2 in the ASCAR championship last year" commented RML founder and managing director Ray Mallock. " The series has great potential and we want to be part of its success - the partnership between RML and Deuce Racing will assist us in doing so. ASCAR appeals to a wider audience than perhaps any other UK racing category and there are great possibilities to develop bold and innovative promotion opportunities for our sponsors. Deuce have great expertise in this field as they have proved already with the Unity Project and with the Territorial Army initiative. The introduction of international glamour through the involvement of Isis Model Management and the important linkage with NASCAR teams and drivers are just what ASCAR needs and we are pleased to be a key part of that".

RML ASCAR programme manager Phil Barker welcomes the tie-up. "Running four cars makes practical and commercial sense and is well within our capabilities, especially if we can focus on the engineering and racing, with Deuce Racing concentrating on the development of the marketing. The drivers are a key part of winning - we were fortunate to have Nicolas Minassian and Kelvin Burt in the RML team in 2002 and the added strength of RML combining with Deuce means we can look forward to working with drivers of comparable ability this coming year".

Jeff Carter of Rockingham says: "The extended participation by RML and Deuce Racing is great news for ASCAR. We're going to match their professionalism on the track with even more spectacular events in 2003 and attracting an even wider range of audience. The ASCAR events at Rockingham will offer a package of non stop entertainment, both on and off the track, for the whole family."

For more information about ASCAR's new super team, contact Nick Auchincloss by emailing nick@deuceracing.co.uk or visit our website - www.deuceracing.co.uk

-dr-