Thursday, 1st May 2008

Former Champ Car racer to join Tafel for ALMS campaign.

Having seen the merger of the IndyCar and Champ Car World Series' curtail his single-seater ambitions, Alex Figge has turned his focus to sportscars after inking a deal to join Tafel Racing in the American Le Mans Series.

Figge, who has made seven career starts in the GT1 class in the past, will partner team owner Jim Tafel in the GT2 class #73 Ferrari 430 for the remainder of the season with his debut in the car coming in the Utah Grand Prix on 18 May.

With his final Champ Car outing having come in the Long Beach Grand Prix, Figge has already had his first taste of the Ferrari after taking part in a private test session at Road Atlanta which also allowed him to spend time with the team and practice driver changes with team boss Tafel.

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"I am just really excited to be with Tafel Racing," he said. "When the merger happened I was nervous about what I'd be doing and I am really thankful to Jim and Tony for taking me on. I have met all the guys and Dirk and Dominik and there is a lot to learn there. I am really pleased to be back in the American Le Mans Series and I am ready to get to Utah and get started."

The Utah event will mark only the second time that the #73 has taken to the track after missing the two events following the season opener at Sebring and Tafel said he was pleased to have a new driver onboard to help pilot the car.

"From my spot as the owner and as a driver, I am really excited to have Alex join the team," he said. "I get a good sense that he is hungry to race. He doesn't want to miss a beat and he wants to compete. We haven't driven together yet but I think Alex will be quite good.

"For me, it isn't just Alex but he brings Mike Zimiki [driver coach] with him as well. Having worked with Mike and Graham Rahal I know how much he brings. They will both be great assets to Tafel Racing. I am very pleased to be able to help give Alex a home. I think we can have a prosperous year from Utah on."

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