Tafel Racing and Watchmaker Ulysse Nardin Announce 2008 Partnership

ATLANTA, July 29, 2008 – Tafel Racing and Swiss watchmaker Ulysse Nardin introduced a marketing partnership today for the remainder of the 2008 American Le Mans Series season. Team principal Jim Tafel (Alpharetta, Ga.) announced the relationship between the Le Locle, Switzerland timepiece artisans and the Cumming, Ga.-based race team for both the No. 71 Tafel/Bell Micro Racing Ferrari F430 GTC, driven by Dominik Farnbacher (Ansbach, Germany) and Dirk Müller (a native of Germany living in Monaco), and the No. 73 Tafel Racing Ferrari F430 GTC raced by Jim Tafel and Alex Figge (Denver, Col.). The 160 year-old company becomes the official timepiece maker for GT2 class race team with season-long partner East Coast Jewelry continuing its role as official jeweler and watch retailer to the three-time American Le Mans Series race-winning team. Ulysse Nardin (www.Ulysse-Nardin.com) joins other industry leaders at Tafel Racing including Bell Microproducts - an industry-recognized specialist in computer storage products; SolidWorks – the leading 3D CAD software solution worldwide; Under Armour - originators of performance, athletic apparel; Mother’s - premium-grade polishes, waxes and cleaners; Ringer’s Gloves – mechanic and specialty glove manufacturer; and Justice Brothers - worldwide distributor of car care products, fleet, farm, and industrial lubricants and cleaners. Technical partners with the Tony Dowe (Cumming, Ga.) directed team include Ferrari, Michelin Tires, BBS Wheels and Hella Inc. - providing aftermarket and special OE support to automotive, marine, consumer and heavy-duty lightning systems.
About Ulysse Nardin Founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Ulysse Nardin has been dedicated to excellence for over 160 years, and the proud recipient over the years with 4,300 awards, 18 of which represent gold medals. In 1983 Rolf W. Schnyder, with his impressive background in the watchmaking industry, acquired the company with a determination to live up to the glories of the Ulysse Nardin name. As president of the company, his challenge was to continue the age-old tradition of crafting fine mechanical timepieces while employing today’s technology.
The spirit of innovation continues today as evidenced in the greatest number of patents awarded to Ulysse Nardin in the field of mechanical watchmaking. Since 2000, Ulysse Nardin has been the recipient of the Innovation Prize four times – an achievement unmatched by any other watch brand. The watches so honored include the GMT + Perpetual, the Freak, the Genghis Khan and in 2004 the Sonata.
Ulysse Nardin continues to be in the forefront of watchmaking technology with the introduction in 2006 of new materials used in the production of their timepieces, including silicium and palladium.
Quotes Jim Tafel, Owner/Driver, No. 73: “We are very excited about partnering with a company that enjoys the reputation for excellence and innovation that Ulysse Nardin has earned. In motorsports we celebrate technology, innovation and dedication to precision. Ulysse Nardin exemplifies all of these things and is an ideal match to Tafel Racing and the American Le Mans Series. Like all of our partners, Ulysse Nardin is uniquely positioned as a true innovator in their field. The craftsmanship and position in the market makes them second to none. I am honored to be chosen to represent such a remarkable brand.”
For more on Ulysse Nardin, please follow the link to www.Ulysse-Nardin.com.
To visit the official web site of Tafel Racing, please go to www.TafelRacing.com.
For more on the American Le Mans Series, please visit www.AmericanLeMans.com.
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