PRLog – May 18, 2013 – CARLISLE, Pa. — Many great guests have made special appearances at weekends produced by Carlisle Events. Some names have been bigger than others, but no name has been bigger at the Carlisle Ford Nationals in quite some time than the one who will be attending in 2013. Courtesy of the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club, guests during the June 7-9 event weekend at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds can meet, talk with and get and autograph or photo from the one and only Steve Saleen.

A very popular name within automotive circles, Steve Saleen has been associated with many great milestones in motorsports history. Saleen was born in California and attended USC, earning a degree in business. He parlayed his education into a booming career that saw him work with the Porsche Owners Club before becoming a competitive racer. In 1980, he entered the Formula Atlantic series and was third in the final series standings. After that, he advanced to the SCCA Trans-Am series in ’82, driving a Ford Mustang. From there, his passion for the Mustang grew immensely, culminating with the founding of Saleen Autosport in 1983 and subsequent building of the first Saleen Mustang.

In 1984, the car was completed, tested and raced against some of the world’s top cars, finishing first in its class at the Mosport 24 hour endurance race. Years later, Saleen formed a race team with comedian Tim Allen and driver Bob Bondurant. The three raced Saleen Mustangs in the SCAA World Challenge. Inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame in 1996 along side Carroll Shelby, Saleen remains active today, primarily with his namesake company, Saleen Inc.

“Having Steve at Carlisle highlights the importance of our event within the Ford community,” said event manager Ken Appell. “The Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club has been very proactive in making this appearance happen and we’re happy they were able to secure him for the weekend. The brand name of Saleen has been on the side of Mustangs and other vehicles for many years and often times Saleen Mustangs have been on the showfield at Carlisle. Now, not only will a Saleen car be at Carlisle, so will the man himself.”

Anyone interested in meeting Saleen can do so for free with an admission to the event itself. There will be autograph sessions and seminars involving him and those too are free. The autograph sessions take place at the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club tent, plus the Q&A time will be part of his seminars held in the seminar tent. Complete tent locations will be available within the free event directory, offered as part of the Goody Bags, at Guest Services and handed out at each point of entry on grounds.