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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">02/05/2002</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Ascari secures new rubber deal</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">Dunlop confirmed as technical partner</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">Team Ascari has confirmed that Dunlop Tyres has become an official partner for the teams 2002 race programme. With the 24 Hours of Le Mans now the main focus of attention for the worlds leading sportscar manufacturers, the agreement, to provide a full test and development programme for the British marque, is a major boost to the Le Mans aspirations of the Ascari KZR1 and is already making a significant impact. The team has recently undergone a series of test days in the UK and Europe, culminating in last week's sessions at Paul Ricard where, on a new Dunlop inspired compound, the Judd V10-powered Ascari KZR1 ran quicker with increased durability.<BR> <BR> Ian Dawson, Race Director, Team Ascari:<BR> "In recent tests we have been very impressed by the responsiveness of Dunlop to our needs. Their understanding and interpretation has been excellent, exemplified by the performance of the tyres tested at Paul Ricard last week."<BR> <BR> "Immediately our performance level was on a par with the Michelin runners and tyre degradation, even after a triple stint, was minimal. We were able to complete more than 1000km and this has provided invaluable intelligence that will result in further improvements to performance between now and mid-June. All at Team Ascari are excited by our Le Mans prospects and are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with Dunlop."<BR> <BR> Ben Collins, Driver, Team Ascari:<BR> "The new tyres have made such a difference to the cars performance and I can't wait to get behind the wheel at Le Mans. The high speed cornering there suits the Ascari as we demonstrated last year and now with the support of Dunlop we will be competitive and have every reason to be optimistic about our chances."<BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>