2002 - Ray Mallock Limited - ASCAR - Summary - October 14th 2002

Minassian - ASCAR Champion 2002

In March 2002 Ray Mallock Limited announced the signing of Nicolas Minassian as teammate to experienced saloon car driver, Kelvin Burt in the team’s first assault on the European ASCAR Championship.

The decision to join RML in ASCAR was an easy decision. "It was important for me to be involved at the beginning of a championship like ASCAR and drive for a good team," Minassian said. "RML have proved themselves to be a top-class and professional organisation who have won in many different series. They have proved they are extremely competitive in everything they do - not only in Touring Cars, but also in events like Le Mans - I'm sure it will be the same in ASCAR."

Prior to his stock car debut Minassian teamed up with the Play Station backed Team ORECA for the second round of the FIA Sportscar Championship in Estoril in April. With teammate Olivier Beretta, the duo claimed the Pole Position and went on to record the victory, marking a great start to what was to become an even better finish to his 2002 season.

The season kicked off with Minassian recording third position in the opening race and then winning the second round of the championship from third position on the grid at Rockingham Motor Speedway.

Second position followed at Lausitz in Germany and back on British soil at Rockingham, Minassian led the way again only for a puncture to drop him down to seventh position. Minassian bounced back with a string of four podium positions throughout the summer and despite two failures to finish mid-season, Minassian and RML ended the season with another two podium positions.

Consistency throughout the 16 race season brought Minassian and RML the Championship title, scoring no less than nine podium finishes and one victory, to finish ahead of teammate Kelvin Burt and reigning BTCC Champion, Jason Plato, who took third place in the standings.

The 2002 ASCAR Championship ran right to the wire with top names from every walk of motorsport joining the competition, making Minassian’s victory all the more significant.

Minassian prepares to go out

"It feels good to win my first Championship and in such a competitive series. ASCAR this year had everyone here, Jason Plato, Kelvin Burt, even Colin McRae came and raced us," said Minassian. "It feels good to have beaten these guys and it feels good to have been part of something different, a new form of racing in Europe. Tonight we will party and then it's on to my next challenge..."

In between, Minassian found time to return to Team ORECA and compete in the Le Mans 24 hour race, partnering Stephane Sarrazin and Franck Montagny. After qualifying an impressive fourth position, Minassian finished the classic event in sixth position.

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