Jim Tafel’s second season as an American Le Mans Series owner and driver will be spent behind the wheel of the No. 73 Tafel Racing Ferrari F430 GTC. He opened the season with a fourth at the 12 Hours of Sebring co-driving with Pierre Ehret (Germany) and Allan Simonsen (Denmark). Returns after two events for the remainder of the season driving with open wheel standout Alex Figge (Denver). Tafel also owns the No. 71 driven full season by Dominik Farnbacher (Germany) and Dirk Müller (Monaco).

PERSONAL:

A graduate of Florida State University (1987) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Following graduation he founded Underground Marble, Inc., a design and manufacturing company producing high-end furniture and corporate awards crafted from marble, granite and exotic woods. He moved from Underground Marble to Bear Sterns as an investment broker before beginning his focus on motorsports. Father James Tafel, Sr. was the owner of “Street Sense”, winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby. When not racing or overseeing Tafel Racing, Tafel is an avid golfer and enjoys wind surfing. He is single and lives in Alpharetta, Ga. He has two children, Chuck and Tori.

2007

Made his American Le Mans Series premier as an owner and a driver at the 12 Hours of Sebring finishing fifth in No. 73. Finished the season with ten top-10 finishes as a driver taking 14th in the GT2 Driver standings. Won the American Le Mans Series Founders Cup for drivers whose primary career is not auto racing.

2006

Competed in his second full season of Grand-Am Rolex Series GT. Scored three top-five finishes earning fifth in the team championship and eighth in the driver points chase. Won his second consecutive Bob Akin Award for the “outstanding sportsman” in the GT class.

2005

Competed in Rolex Series GT class and earned four top-five class finishes en route to fifth in the team championship and a ninth place tie in the driver standings.

2004

Competed in six Rolex Series events in the SGS class with a best class result of fourth at Mid-Ohio.