All posts by Betsy Beyer

Currently the longest running editor of Saleen Alley. The official publication of SOEC. Have owned five generations of Saleen Mustangs through 20 years of active SOEC participation.

HISTORY OF SALEEN IN DIECAST

From Chris Walker.

Saleen Automotive in Miniature Form
Saleen History in Miniature Form

I was lucky enough to be a part of this project as a gift for Steve Saleen of Saleen Supercars. It was a fun diorama build with a very tight deadline. It’s great to be a part of some awesome projects over the years of my Diecast career.

Sometimes it seems like I get to be involved in the “Holy Grail” of projects for really good people. For that I am very humbled and thankful for all the great things that have come from that. It’s not me, it boils down to great friends I have met over the years. Thank you Amy Boylan and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and the whole crew at Saleen.

[Source: Chris Walker]

SPORTRUCKS HEADING TOWARDS MURFREESBORO

From Saleen Automotive.

Ford of Murfreesboro has this group of trucks on the way to add to their inventory of S302’s and trucks already there. Check them out in Tennessee, they can take care of your Saleen needs in time for Christmas!

Click here to participate in the discussion.

[Source: Saleen Automotive]

SALEEN S1 CUP SERIES IN DEVELOPMENT

By: JOHN DAGYS on October 27, 2018
Original Article: SPORTSCAR365.COM

SALEEN TO LAUNCH CUP SERIES WITH NEW S1; PLANNING GT4 CAR
Saleen to launch single-make series with new S1 next year; GT4 car planned for 2020

Pre-production Saleen S1. Photo: John Dagys
Pre-production Saleen S1. Photo: John Dagys

Saleen will make its racing return next year with the formation of single-make series with its new S1, ahead of a planned GT4 version of the sports car for 2020.

The California-based manufacturer has unveiled plans to launch Cup series in both North America and China with the 450-horsepower car beginning with the second half of next year.

Longtime FIA technical director Gabriele Cadringher, who most recently worked with Grand-Am and Lamborghini in technical capacities, has joined Saleen as its new director of motorsports.

A pre-production version of the road car is on display at this weekend’s California 8 Hours at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“The plan is to start a Cup series next year,” Cadringher told Sportscar365.

“We are discussing with PWC/Blancpain GT America with Greg [Gill] and Stephane [Ratel] to run with them in the second part of the year.”

Cadringher said the arrive-and-drive series will feature five events in 2019, with two 50-minute races on each weekend and up to two drivers per car.

It will also include a category for young drivers, with the class champion securing an all-paid for drive in the manufacturer’s GT4 car for the following season.

The U.S. series will run in parallel to a single-make cup in China, with discussions underway with series in the region, including the China GT Championship, for sanction agreements.

A total of 45 chassis for the Cup car are set to be produced, with at least 20 allocated for the North American market, which will be rolled out prior to the final production car.

“We will build our first Cup prototype in December and in the beginning of January we’ll finalize the spec after a couple of weeks on track,” Cadringher said.

“That will be our development car, which in the second part of the year, it will transform into the prototype of the GT4.”

Cadringher said the Saleen S1 GT4 car will be largely based off the Cup car, including the same 2.3-liter turbo engine from the production car.

Saleen has outlined plans to build 10,000 S1 road cars within the next five years, both at its facilities in Corona, Calif. and in China, at an estimated price tag of $100,000 each.

The GT4 car, meanwhile, is slated to launch in 2020.

“The Cup car will be a pre-series of the GT4,” Cadringher explained. “I’m speaking with Stephane and Claude Surmont [SRO technical director] about the details of the GT4 already.

“My plan is to come on the market with the GT4 car much cheaper than anyone else. I want to sell this car for $160-170,000, ready to be raced.”

Additional Racing Platforms in Pipeline

Cadringher indicated that additional motorsports plans are in the pipeline for the manufacturer, which is making its racing comeback for the first time since the Saleen S7R project in the 2000s.

The Italian hinted at a possible GT3 car in the future, potentially based off a yet-to-be-announced new Saleen road car.

Cadringher, however, has stressed that it will come step by step, with the focus being on the Cup series and GT4 car for the time being.

“Let’s do a Cup, let’s learn from the car and then do a GT4. Then we will see in the future,” he said.

“Steve is still a racing driver. He still races every single day in the office.

“I like that kind of approach because he has raced, the Mustang has raced and the S7 has raced. This new car, from the very beginning, was to race it.”

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com
Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365 as well as the recently launched e-racing365 Web site for electric racing. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com/SPEED Channel, and contributes to other publications worldwide. Contact John

Twitter; Instagram; LinkedIn

[Source: sportscar 365]

MUSTANG WEEK 2018

PHOTOS: ANGEL MUNIZ

Mustang Week 2018
Mustang Week 2018

[Source: Angel Muniz]

VIDEO: STEVE SALEEN SPEAKS S1 WITH ALAN TAYLOR

2019 Saleen S1
Interview with CEO, Steve Saleen at Concorso Italiano

All New Saleen S1 Supercar at Concorso Italiano. Can this price point be real?! Founder/CEO Steve Saleen unleashes his “wallet-friendly” beast.

– Alan Taylor

[Source: The Drive with Alan Taylor]

VIDEO: AUTOTOPIA SPEAKS WITH DESIGNER SEAN SMITH

From our friends at Autotopia.

Published on Jul 27, 2018

This episode is slower going than our usual ones but I wanted to give all of you insight into the world of high end one off custom builds with my friend and renowned automotive designer Sean Smith. He’s responsible for cars from the Ring Brothers, Saleen, Speedkore, Timeless Kustoms, Iron Works and so many more. Get a drink, sit down and chill with me and my friend Sean Smith.

Enjoy!

AutotopiaLA Social Media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/autotopiala/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/autotopiala/
Web https://www.autotopiala.com

Sean Smith Design Social:
https://www.instagram.com/seansmithdesigns/

Music:
JC Vibin (Jazz Club Vibin’) [Master]
Aksil Beats – The Choice

[Source: AutotopiaLA via YouTube]