Final Ford Nationals Is Just One More Stop on the Gates Retirement Tour


Carlisle, PA (July 25, 2006) - When organizers of the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals got wind that renowned dB Drag competitor, 71-year-old Alma Gates of Team JBL, would be retiring this year, they literally begged her to say goodbye by participating in their annual event. Alma was honored and ready to oblige with her newly built Ford Bronco, which features a JBL-designed party-level system inside, and a competition-level system inside.

“This was the perfect venue for Alma to show off her new truck,” said Christopher M. Dragon, director of brand marketing, Harman Consumer Group Mobile Systems. “She told us she wanted the last incarnation of her Ford Bronco to be the best-sounding ever, and we were happy to help her fulfill that wish.”

The exterior of the Bronco features full-range audio, delivering concert-worthy performance. JBL Pro speakers are mounted underneath each of the Bronco’s doors, while the cargo area is home to six W15GTi 15-inch subwoofers. Also inside, and further playing up the Bronco’s “wow” factor: a combination of JBL c508GTi component system speakers and JBL Pro 2118H speakers, two television monitors and a DVD player.

But it doesn’t end there. Seven JBL Power Series® and GTi amplifiers deliver almost 25 horsepower - that’s nearly 20,000 watts - of audio amplification. There are two audio systems in Gates’ Bronco. The PA system outside is enough to rock any neighborhood block party while, at the flip of a switch, the inside system provides high-quality 7.1-surround playback.

The Carlisle All-Ford Nationals is an annual event. This year’s exhibits featured a special display of 1966-67 Ford Fairlanes and Comets. Also highlighted were the latest Ford Motor Company concept cars, including the Shelby GT 500 Mustang, the most powerful Mustang ever built, with a 475-horsepower, supercharged V8 engine, six-speed manual transmission, race-tuned suspension and four piston Brembo® brakes. Talk about smokin’!

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Alma Ford Nationals
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But nothing shone as brightly as Alma’s JBL “hot-rodded” audio Bronco. “It was wonderful to see children, young teens, parents and even grandparents waiting in line to hear the Bronco,” said Alma. “It just goes to show that music and great sound never go out of style. The excitement of music is incredibly powerful.”

Gates said she would miss participating in the Ford Nationals as this was her last at any All-
Ford Event. “I want people to know how much I appreciate their support and involvement in Team JBL and Team Gates over the last ten years,” said Alma. “Our supporters, fans and team members have become a huge extended family. This was a great place for us to be with my Bronco for one last hurrah. Thanks for the memories.”

About the Harman Consumer Group
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.

HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com) is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”


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JBL, Harman International and Power Series are registered trademarks
of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.

Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

Brembo is a registered trademark of Brembo SpA.