IRVINE, CA — August 28, 2008 — Today, the specialty manufacturer announced the recent hiring of Mark Patrzik to its sales team. After having quietly announced the departure of CEO Paul Wilbur on August 15, Chris Theodore assumed Wilbur’s role, moving from Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer.
With Patrzik’s hiring, Saleen sales team veteran Tom Ryan has shifted gears to Vice President of International Development. Ryan’s first task was to head north to Canada to help expand the Saleen dealer network elsewhere in North America and abroad.
Other mangement changes include the responsibilities of Julie Zona, Saleen’s head of product planning, who will assume the role of Director of Marketing and Program Planning. Zona, a veteran of Chrysler’s marketing and product development teams, has been with Saleen for just under a year. Among her first projects was the 25th Anniversary Sterling Edition, on which she worked closely with McCammon.
IRVINE, CA — August 14, 2008 — On the eve of a second Racecraft model launch and amidst a wave of rumors about the company’s viability due to recent auctions at its California and Michigan facilities, Saleen Inc. gives SOEC members a sneak peek at its 2009 Saleen lineup. This year includes fewer, but more upscale offerings than in 2008, surely in part due to the abbreviated production year for 2009, a mere 8 or 9 months, as the 2010 Mustang is due out from Ford in March.
“The campaign for the year is titled ‘the Pinnacle,’ as we intend to solidify Saleen’s position as the leader in exclusive performance vehicles,” says Marques McCammon, General manager at Saleen Automotive. “My vision is to move the brand up with more exclusivity in every model, [with] fewer, more substantive offerings.”
For 2009, Saleen introduces a new wheel, some new exterior details, and each model will have its own interior treatment; e.g., a 281 Supercharged will be visually different from a S302 Supercharged, and the S302E would be different still.
In addition to a offering a unique interior, the new S302 Supercharged will also be offering 580-horsepower in S-line dress.
A reduced number of H-line models for 2009 will be two special editions, including a continuation of the Gurney and a super Saleen that that is nicknamed the “WM” — while we don’t know yet what “WM” stands for, we’re sure to find out soon enough.
More details on the 2009 Saleen lineup will be made available as each model is officially launched.
As part of Saleen’s Woodward Dream Cruise festivities on August 15, expect to see a much-rumored RaceCraft Focus unveiled, to join the 420 S Mustang unveiled at Mustang Week in South Carolina last month. RaceCraft models, unlike their serial-numbered brethren, will be made available to all Ford dealers.
SOEC, founded in 1991, is the premiere organization for Saleen owners and enthusiasts, with thousands of members worldwide.
MEDIA EVENT:
2009 MY, 2nd Racecraft Product Unveiling, SpeedLab SuperShaker Date/Time:
August 15, 9:00am-11:30pm Location:
Saleen Headquarters, 1225 E. Maple Rd., Troy, MI
Details:
The Saleen Headquarters Open House event will serve as a kickoff for the 2009 MY vehicles as well as the introduction of another Racecraft branded product. The Saleen SpeedLab SuperShaker will be debuted at this event as well.
There will be a continental breakfast served from 9:00am-9:30am followed by a press conference and vehicle unveiling. At the conclusion of the press conference all journalists will be given media kits and an opportunity to test drive the vehicles.
The following day we are inviting members of the media to join us on Woodward Avenue to enjoy the 14th Annual Dream Cruise. The Saleen booth will be located at the Bridgestone/Firestone building on the corner of Woodward and Coolidge. We will have Saleen and Racecraft vehicles on display as well as SpeedLab products. 101 WRIF (the #1 radio station in Detroit) will be broadcasting live and giving out promotional items from our location all day. Additionally, Rockstar Games will be onsite conducting game demos of the upcoming Midnight Club Los Angeles featuring Saleen vehicles. The festivities will kickoff at 8:30am and continue throughout the day ending at 7pm. We will be offering hospitality with food and beverages from 12:00pm-2pm.
If you have any questions regarding the events listed above please contact Kim Brugger at 734.776.3928, kim.brugger@saleen.com or Lizzie Raickovich at 248.837.0851, lizzie.raickovich@saleen.com.
We are asking that those interested in attending please RSVP by August 11th.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. July 28, 2008 — The 2008/2009 Racecraft 420S Mustang, unveiled by Saleen Inc. on Saturday, July 26 during Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is equipped with Bridgestone-brand Potenza tires.
The first model in Saleen’s new Racecraft performance vehicle brand lineup, the 420S comes with Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position™ tires in size 275/40R18 99W.
The tire was designed to give sports car owners a solid all-season performer that can keep pace when the weather switches gears. With exclusive UNI-T™ AQII™ technology, the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position delivers in the wet and dry, even as the tire wears, and contains silica – in a specially formulated and processed compound that improves traction – and a leading edge sipe for enhanced adaptability in wet or dry conditions.
“We are excited about offering the premium performance technology of the Bridgestone brand on the ultra sporty and highly acclaimed Racecraft 420S,” said Michael Martini, President, Consumer OE Tire Division, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). “The union of Bridgestone and Saleen is a match 420S Mustang owners will appreciate from the street to the track.”
Racecraft is Saleen’s value-oriented performance brand. The 420S, priced below $40,000, represents for many enthusiasts their first opportunity to own a Saleen-manufactured vehicle.
“The Racecraft moniker has been synonymous with Saleen performance since the first Saleen Mustang. The Bridgestone-brand Potenza tires are a perfect fit with our Racecraft performance line of vehicles. We anticipate long term success with this brand and are looking forward to partnering with Bridgestone,” said Marques McCammon, General Manager, Saleen Automotive.
Armed with a 4.6L supercharged V8 engine, the Racecraft 420S produces 420 horsepower and 400 lbs.-ft. torque. The car is also highly customizable with an array of offerings from the company’s SpeedLab division.
About Saleen:
Since the company’s inception in 1984, Saleen has produced over 12,000 complete and EPA certified, specialty vehicles, more than any other specialty automobile manufacturer. In addition, Saleen has equipped more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide, further emphasizing their capabilities and commitment to excellence. A nine-time Manufacturers’ Champion in GT sports car racing, Saleen manufactured the American super car — the Saleen S7, as well as the S281 Mustang, S331 Sport Truck and the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang. Saleen’s manufacturing facilities are located in Troy, Michigan. The Michigan facility has also just completed all paint and assembly of the Ford GT as a special project for Ford Motor Company and currently is providing paint and subassembly for the Dodge Viper SRT-10.
Troy, Michigan (July 18, 2008) – Saleen’s Aftermarket Division, SpeedLab, announced today the introduction of a new technology for air induction systems called the SuperShaker™. The patent pending SuperShaker™ embodies the classic appeal of shaker hood styling while delivering exhilarating performance via modern Supercharger technology.
By combining the proven efficiency of the Saleen series VI intercooled supercharger with that of the new and highly efficient SuperShaker™ induction system, SpeedLab has brokered the perfect marriage; bringing together Beauty AND Beast for the first time.
For decades, the two theories of air induction were separated. With this revolutionary new system, SuperShaker™ couples the best of both worlds. The “ram air” design and functionality of a true shaker hood is now mated with the forced air induction system via an intercooled, twin screw Saleen series VI supercharger. Saleen SpeedLab is the first and only manufacturer offering this highly engineered technology to the market.
“For the first time ever, consumers do not have to sacrifice muscle car styling to get more power and performance,” says Michael Lingo, Vice President & General Manager of Saleen’s Aftermarket Division, “the SpeedLab SuperShaker™ puts real muscle under your hood producing power that can be seen and heard”.
PERFORMANCE
The SuperShaker™ induction path is much shorter and less restrictive compared to existing designs, and is a true “cold air” intake that is sealed off from the engine compartment, thus enhancing vehicle performance. The SuperShaker™ induction system sits above the hood and is isolated from the hot air in the engine compartment. This is especially beneficial in static situations such as at stop lights or take off during drag racing. Once up to speed, the shaker hood scoop rams fresh cold air into the air box where it is pressurized, allowing greater boost at higher speeds.
The ground-breaking design efforts at Saleen have resulted in a durable design that can withstand the harsh environment of everyday driving. By angling the custom air filter forward, water and debris will be deflected down to the bottom of the air box where it can be evacuated and not affect the performance of the filter. There are two molded pieces that make up and include the air box, providing a skirt that mounts to the rear of the box which protects the compartment from water, debris and environmental hazards. This unique design does not require any extraordinary mounting or securing devices, allowing the air box to utilize the maximum space available within the tight constraints. The result is a larger surface area for the air filter and compact OE style look.
“The shorter intake and minimal restriction allows for more cold air to be available to the engine immediately, resulting in less lag time and quicker throttle response, says Marc Musial, Chief Powertrain Engineer, “providing instant power that is available on demand throughout the power curve”.
APPLICATIONS
The Saleen SpeedLab SuperShaker™ is engineered and designed to fit all 2005-current model Mustang GT’s. The SuperShaker™ kit will increase your total power from 500 – 700HP. SpeedLab will also be offering additional SuperShaker™ upgrade components.
“We are very excited to offer this one of a kind system to the Mustang enthusiast community,” says Carlos Duran, Manager of Saleen’s Aftermarket Sales, “in addition to the SuperShaker™ kit; we have made this revolutionary product available to our existing Saleen Series VI Supercharger owners with the release of the ShakerLid upgrade kit. The ShakerLid kit allows all Saleen customers to enjoy the SuperShaker™ experience.”
As a featured exclusive, Saleen SpeedLab will also manufacture a limited number of SuperShaker™ kits designed especially for Saleen Parnelli Jones (PJ) Edition owners. This special limited run kit will feature unique Saleen/ PJ personalized badging and will be registered as a Saleen Supercharged PJ to enhance exclusivity. The PJ SuperShaker™ kit is available direct from the factory or through Saleen Certified Dealers.
Saleen SpeedLab is now taking pre-orders for the SuperShaker™ kit with an estimated production date starting late August 2008. Call today at 1800-888-8945 to speak directly with your Saleen SpeedLab specialist.
The SuperShaker™ will be featured at a special Woodward Dream Cruise VIP Ride & Drive Event at Saleen’s production facility in Troy, Michigan, on August 15, 2008. Enthusiasts will be able to experience a Saleen H281 or Saleen Parnelli Jones edition mustang fitted with the new SuperShaker™ system. Please visit http://www.saleen.com/supershaker/ for more details and to register for your very own SuperShaker™ experience.
If you are like Associate Editor Johnson and like to torture yourself, or you are really in the market for a Saleen of your own, Greg Wackett has the site for you. They will help you find, authenticate, and buy a Saleen. For the full press release and linkage, follow the jump…
The Saleen Locating Service proudly announces its new website geared to provide Saleen enthusiasts and collectors a single venue to pursue everything Saleen. Founded in 1991, the online service at SaleenLS.com now provides access to a myriad of resources to help share with new owners in the hobby what it means when Steve Saleen coined the phrase, “Power in the Hands of a Few.”
Saleen enthusiasts are encouraged to log-on to SaleenLS.com whether they are buying or selling a Saleen or related parts and memorabilia. “All purchases are private transactions, so sellers as well as buyers should do their research,” reminds founder and president Greg Wackett. “Anyone in the market for a Saleen should utilize the library of resources available at our partner site hosted by the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club at soec.org. At SOEC, enthusiasts will find the most complete archive in the world of Saleen literature, vehicle production figures and other historic sales materials.
But before a final transaction is made, a buyer should always consult with Saleen’s own Team Saleen (saleen.com) to verify the authenticity and original equipment of a potential purchase. Performing your due diligence is key when making any investment,” reminds Greg. “Unfortunately there have been quite a few ‘tribute’ cars built over the years that have been mistaken for the ‘real McCoy.’”
“Our mission is simple,” says Greg. “From the start, our goal has been to provide an exclusive venue for Saleen enthusiasts to trade authentic Saleen vehicles as well as parts and collectibles, and we have always maintained that integrity,” he continued.
As an introductory offer made possible in part by the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club, ads for new or used Saleen vehicles for sale are complimentary to dealers who are part of the Saleen Certified Dealer Network. Members of SOEC can also run complimentary ads at SaleenLS.com. Saleen’s own executive fleet and press vehicles are also advertised with the service, which makes it an ideal venue for those seeking a piece of Saleen history.
Saleen Locating Service on the on the Web: www.saleenls.com
Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club on the Web: www.soec.org
Background
Having founded the Saleen Locating Service in 1991, Greg Wackett has gained an intimate understanding of the appeal of Saleen vehicles and the individuals who are drawn to them. That same year Greg also helped to co-found the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club (SOEC), the only officially-recognized and supported organization representing the marque. Greg’s inspiration and enthusiasm for Saleens dates even further back, to when Steve Saleen first introduced his unique Mustangs to the public for the 1984 model year – an exciting new brand which brought exclusivity and performance to a handful of enthusiasts.
As more and more of these serialized vehicles were produced, it became apparent there was a need to facilitate the market of previously-owned Saleens. That need inspired extended discussions with Liz Saleen, then company matriarch and director of Team Saleen, publisher of the official Saleen Registry. The two explored ideas about how to distribute a list of available cars to those who were potentially interested in them. It soon became apparent that it was important to also track the market and provide a mechanism to help establish values of used vehicles – yet Saleen had no staffing resources to provide such services and at the same time needed to remain independent of that function. So with Saleen’s encouragement and blessing came the birth of the Saleen Locating Service. Over the years and through grassroots efforts, hundreds of these lists were either mailed, faxed or e-mailed, and have been regarded as the “must have” resource for every collector in the hobby. It is know that when the fax machine rang at Saleen’s headquarters with the latest Saleen Locating Service report, countless employees were perusing the list for those “must have” vehicles.
The Saleen Locating Service, in conjunction with the historical archive at the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club website, soec.org, offers authoritative historical resources including original vehicle specification documents and other literature to ensure that Saleen shoppers can be well-informed. While acting as independent organizations they do share a common goal to promote the hobby, truly making these resources for Saleen enthusiasts, by Saleen enthusiasts. SOEC member David Bruno is not only creative director for SOEC’s website and its publication, “Saleen Alley,” but he has also served as curator of these archives which have been years in the making, and his dedication to his craft is clear.
The Saleen Locating Service was also instrumental in getting the limited-production Saleen vehicles listed in the NADA Guides publications to help track and provide authoritative pricing information – an essential aspect of the collector car hobby – and efforts continue to expand recognition of the brand. The service links to an archive of Saleen pricing guides, production numbers, press information and other historical literature on SOEC’s website, and also reminds buyers to contact Saleen for authentication of a particular vehicle before purchase.
Having personally owned and traded well over a dozen Saleen vehicles (he and his wife currently own four, plus two pedal cars), it’s an understatement to say that he is passionate about this hobby. Over the years he has given hundreds of hours of his time to such efforts as supporting the Saleen/Allen RRR SpeedLab racing team, contributing to “The Saleen Book” by Brad Bowling (thesaleenbook.com), as well as volunteering at numerous shows, corporate open houses and at other Saleen events across the U.S.
July 6, 2008 – Orange County, California. Twenty five years focused on performance automobiles takes a great deal of commitment and passion. From his early automotive days spent race preparing his personal cars, to his inevitable entrance into the professional racing world, and finally into the domain of the automotive business, automotive icon Steve Saleen has done it all. Steve set the course for his automotive future in his first race on August 19th, 1973 at Riverside International Raceway, where he took his GT350 to the winners’ circle, and he never looked back.
Steve Saleen moved up through the amateur and then professional ranks of closed and open-wheel racing during the 70’s and 80’s, racing and winning against drivers such as Bobby Rahal, Gilles Villeneuve, Danny Sullivan etc. His racing career eventually intertwined with his USC business degree when, in 1983, he formed Saleen Autosport and produced his first vehicle, a 1984 white and blue high performance Saleen Mustang, the first of thousands of vehicles that would eventually be built based on his innovative niche manufacturing, certification and racing business model.
Steve and his vehicles have dominated the competition wherever they raced around the world, having won nine championships, countless races and set track records from Daytona to Le Mans and every track in between. And Steve is still racing, he is currently testing one of the two European Le Mans Series Championship winning S7R’s in preparation for his return to competition in the American Le Mans Series later this year.
For 25 years, Steve Saleen has been the leading pioneer in lifestyle performance automobiles, with his companies building an amazing array of high performance, sports, race and collector cars that are coveted by enthusiasts and celebrities alike from Tim Allen to Tom Cruise. His companies have created everything from the world’s fastest production Mustang, the S302 Extreme, to the Saleen S7 and S7R the most victorious supercar based racing vehicle ever, bar none, with 171 Top Tens, 118 Podiums, 84 Pole Positions, 76 Fastest Laps, 72 Wins and 9 GT Championships. Amazing cars are not the only thing associated with Steve Saleen’s name and ingenuity, his companies are also credited with an impressive array of patented automotive technological innovations.
As an entrepreneur, his endeavors encompass more than simply delivering the performance hardware. In 2006 he was the driving force behind the opening of his company’s first automotive retail experience. With as much visual impact and excitement as one of his supercars, Maxim Magazine awarded it “Best Automotive Retail Store”.
To celebrate his illustrious automotive career, Steve Saleen and his new company SMS have developed a truly innovative and exceptional celebratory vehicle – the 2008 SMS Twenty Fifth Anniversary Mustang Concept. To find out more about the 720 hp SMS concept car, we talked to its creator, Mr. Steve Saleen.
“In celebration of my 25 years in the niche manufacturing business I wanted to create a personal car for myself that appropriately marks this very special Anniversary. The functional aesthetic innovations that we have developed are truly exceptional in every way. Though this car is not going to be for sale, it nevertheless demonstrates the technological advances present at SMS.”
“With the SSC, SA-10, SA-15 and SA-20, I used those platforms to introduce new technology to the automotive market. In keeping with that tradition, this concept car incorporates many important advances developed by SMS. In particular our patented SMS Red Butterfly™ Induction System and SMS Light Blade™ LED Taillight System are definitely the coolest things that any Anniversary car has ever had! When those butterflies crack open under throttle, people stop and stare, you can be sure you will see those on our future products. And when you are passed by this car and the full width sequential turn signals come on, you will be just as awestruck!”
“Along with the main features, the supporting cast of innovation developed by SMS is just as deep, including; SMS Side Splitters and Diffuser Fences in carbon fiber, SMS billet aluminum signature elements, a beautiful SMS Two Tone Leather interior and the unique SMS “Chromosome Silver” paint with the signature anniversary yellow, white and black graphic accents.
“My Anniversary cars were always the most powerful of the breed and this car continues that tradition, as this engine produces 720 Horsepower at the crank and 612 Horsepower at the rear wheels! And the exhaust note truly is something else. Topped with 670ft lbs of Torque it is quite a steed to tame, thus it is equipped with SMS Cross Drilled 15″ 6-Piston Front Brakes and a completely new SMS Billet Aluminum Watts Link System that is robust, durable and attractive.”
“The performance is astounding; the SMS Twenty Fifth Anniversary Mustang has reached nearly the same levels of performance as was previously achieved in the S7 Twin Turbo! It is not everyday that the word Supercar is associated with a Mustang, but in this case it is appropriate. The team and I are very excited about the vehicle as it incorporates an entirely new platform of technological advances by SMS, and it is a testament to what our company is capable of. We look forward to it touring the show circuit this summer to show that we are in the business of power!”
“I look forward to the next twenty five years!”
Key functional and aesthetic innovations:
SMS 720 HP Supercharged 5.0L Aluminum Block V8
SMS CNC Ported Saleen Supercharger
SMS CNC Aluminum Heads
SMS Red Butterfly™ Induction System
SMS Light Blade™ LED Tail Light System
SMS Billet Aluminum Watts Link System
SMS Cross Drilled 15″ 6-Piston Front Brakes
SMS Cross Drilled 12″ Rear Brakes
SMS Two Piece Billet Aluminum Hood Vents
SMS Carbon Fiber Side Splitters
SMS Carbon Fiber Diffuser Fences
SMS Red Butterfly™ Quarter Intakes
SMS Chromosome™ Silver Paint
SMS Leather Grip Billet Aluminum Shifter and Shifter Bezel
