Saleen Cup set for launch at Portland International Raceway…
A total of six cars are set to take part in the inaugural Saleen Cup races at Portland International Raceway this weekend.
Initially set to launch at Sonoma Raceway last month, the new single-make series featuring Saleen S1 Cup cars was postponed due to production delays of the 450-horsepower race car.
The arrive-and-drive series, running on the SRO Motorsports America weekend, will feature a number of notable sports car racing drivers, including GT veterans Brandon Davis, Cameron Lawrence and Bryce Miller as well as Molly Saleen, the daughter of Saleen Automotive CEO Steve Saleen.
Each of the six cars will carry heritage liveries from the motorsports world, including a throwback design from the Saleen Mustang racing program in the 1990s.
The Saleen Cup, as first revealed by Sportscar365 last year, will feature two 50-minute races with a mandatory pit stop and driver change.
Additional rounds are planned at the SRO America events at Watkins Glen International, Road America and Las Vegas Motor Speedway this year, with the champion receiving a fully-paid drive in the manufacturer’s planned GT4 car in the 2020 Pirelli GT4 America series.
Saleen Cup, Portland Drivers
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.
Single-make Saleen series delayed due to production holdups in S1 Cup cars…
2019 Saleen 1 Cup car. Photo: John Dagys
The launch of the Saleen Cup has been delayed, with the single-make series, scheduled to debut this weekend at Sonoma Raceway, having been pushed back to next month.
Delays in the production of the Saleen S1 Cup cars, due to “unanticipated delays” of the import of parts, has been cited by the American automaker, which has a manufacturing plant in China and joint venture with Jiangsu Secco Automobile Technology Corporation.
The arrive-and-drive series was due to feature a grid of 20 Saleen S1s this weekend, in support of the SRO Motorsports America event at the Californian circuit.
“The Saleen Cup cars require specialty components that are sourced globally, and unanticipated delays importing and clearing these parts through customs have significantly delayed production,” a statement from the manufacturer read.
The series’ launch has now been slated for the next SRO America weekend at Portland International Raceway on July 13-14, with additional events at Watkins Glen International, Road America and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
It is due to feature two 50-minute races on each weekend, with single or two-driver lineups and a mandatory pit stop.
Saleen will still have a presence at Sonoma, with a “race ready” version of the Saleen S1 set to complete hot laps, with the manufacturer hosting a hospitality area.
No word has been given if the delays could impact Saleen’s planned GT4 car for 2020.
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.
The Saleen Cup features a dedicated racing version of the new Saleen 1 production model – a mid-engine turbocharged four-cylinder “sportscar with supercar credentials.” The Saleen 1 is the latest in the Saleen Original line of models from Saleen Automotive.
A total of 20 cars will be built, maintained and transported to each race event by Saleen, throughout the Saleen Cup. Dedicated technical support will be provided to each competitor, and pre-season test days will be available for each car. Additional technical specifications will be announced prior to the Saleen Cup series launch in June 2019:
Engine: Saleen 4 cylinder in line turbo, 2.2 lt
Power: 450 HP
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 3 Kg/HP (*This allow drivers with a standard “D” license to compete, compared to all other single-make series, which typically require a “C” license to race)
Transmission: Holinger sequential gearbox with paddle-shift
Suspension: Special adjustable racing suspension front and rear, double arms with Special Ohlins adjustable shock absorbers
Braking System: TM Performance racing brakes (Front 6 pistons calipers, 380 mm disks; Rear 4 pistons calipers, 355 mm disks)
Wheel size: 18” racing wheels (Front 9.5”, Rear 11”)
Tires: Slicks and wet racing tires available
Body: Advanced racing aerodynamic (Front splitter, Rear diffuser, Rear wing) designed via CFD analysis
Safety equipment (according to the FIA international specifications):
Sparco seat, 6 points belts, fire extinguishing system, Protection nets
Saleen Automotive returns to racing with new Cup series launched for 2019…
2019 Saleen 1 Cup car. Photo: Saleen Automotive
Saleen Automotive has announced a new single-make series that will support Blancpain GT World Challenge America later this year.
As first reported by Sportscar365 in October, the Saleen Cup will be dedicated to the racing version of the manufacturer’s 450-horsepower Saleen S1 sports car, which was launched last year.
The five-round championship “arrive and drive” series will feature 20 cars plus spares prepared and transported by the California-based company, and comes with a chance to win a “factory seat” in its GT4 lineup next year.
Further details of Saleen’s involvement with the S1 in GT4, including timescales, have yet to be established.
Round 1 of the Saleen Cup is set to take place at Sonoma Raceway in early June, followed by stops at Portland International Raceway, Watkins Glen International and Road America before concluding in Las Vegas in October.
The series will be open to standard ‘D’ licensed drivers while two-person crews will be permitted in a bid to help spread individual costs.
“I am very pleased to welcome the Saleen Cup Series to the Blancpain GT World Challenge America schedule for the 2019 season,” said SRO founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.
“The Saleen name is instantly recognizable to every race fan and I have fond memories of the wonderful S7-R competing in the FIA GT Championship more than a decade ago.
“The new Saleen 1 is an exciting new project for the brand and the ‘arrive-and-drive’ concept is the ideal way to showcase it at some of the most iconic circuits in the United States.”
Saleen emerged on the global endurance racing scene in the 1990s with specially modified Ford Mustangs, before running its own S7-R supercar in the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The manufacturer went on to win the Le Mans GT1 class through Larbre Competition in 2010 while the S7-R also raced extensively in the American Le Mans Series, FIA GT Championship and various national competitions.
“The Saleen Cup is the next chapter in our company’s return to motorsports,” said Steve Saleen, CEO and founder of Saleen Automotive.
“Racing is in the DNA of everything we do at Saleen. The technology and design of the new Saleen 1 model is a direct result of extensive track testing and development, so it’s only natural that the new model makes its debut on some of the most iconic racetracks in America.”
Format, Costs Outlined
Saleen’s director of motorsports Gabriele Cadringher confirmed that Cup events will comprise of two 50-minute races with grids decided by 30 minutes of qualifying spread over two sessions.
Single or two-driver lineups are permitted, with each race carrying a mandatory pit stop but no tire changes.
Three sets of Continental tires will be available to each entry per weekend.
Cadringher projected that the total cost of a full-season program this year will be $190,000 ($38,000 per event) if submitted before April, rising to $210,000 afterward.
2019 Saleen Cup Schedule:
June 7-9 – Sonoma Raceway
July 12-14 – Portland International Raceway
Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 – Watkins Glen International
Sept. 20-22 – Road America
Oct. 18-20 – Las Vegas
Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365 and e-racing365, with a focus on the FIA World Endurance Championship and various electric racing series.
SALEEN RETURNS TO AUTO RACING WITH LAUNCH OF SALEEN CUP SERIES
High-performance vehicle manufacturer partners with SRO Motorsports Group
to introduce with world’s first professional-level “arrive-and-drive” series,
designed to showcase new Saleen 1 model
Five-race schedule will coincide with Blancpain GT World Challenge America,
June 7 to Oct. 20, 2019
AUSTIN, Texas (March 1, 2019) – One of the most successful marques in GT racing history is returning to motorsports with the introduction of a single make series designed to showcase the world’s newest turbocharged mid-engine sports car.
Steve Saleen with Saleen 1 Cup car
The Saleen Cup, which was announced today during a press conference at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, is being presented via a partnership with SRO Motorsports Group, and will run concurrently with the Blancpain GT World Challenge America. The single-make series invites drivers to be among the first in the world to experience the Saleen 1 on five iconic race tracks throughout the U.S. As the first-ever professional qualify “Arrive-and-drive” series, the five events will be supported by 20 track-ready cars maintained, prepped and transported to race venues by Saleen – offering prospective drivers and enthusiasts a turnkey, once-in-a-lifetime racing opportunity – plus a chance to win a factory seat in Saleen’s GT4 entry throughout the 2020 season.
“I am very pleased to welcome the Saleen 1 Cup Series to the Blancpain GT World Challenge America schedule for the 2019 season,” said Stephane Ratel, founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group. “The Saleen name is instantly recognizable to every race fan and I have fond memories of the wonderful S7-R competing in the FIA GT Championship more than a decade ago. The new Saleen 1 is an exciting new project for the brand and the “arrive-and-drive” concept is the ideal way to showcase it al some of the most iconic circuits in the United States. I look forward to the inaugural event at Sonoma Raceway in June.”
2019 Saleen 1 Cup
“The Saleen Cup is the next chapter in our company’s return to motorsports,” and Steve Saleen, CEO and founder of Saleen Automotive. “Racing is in the DNA of everything we do at Saleen. The technology and design of the new Saleen 1 model is a direct result of extensive track-testing and development, so it’s only natural that the new model makes its debut on some of the most iconic racetracks in America.”
“Racing one of our cars on these legendary tracks will change your life – not to mention the way you look at driving – forever,” added Saleen. “The Saleen Cup Series gives racers and mainstream enthusiasts this unforgettable experience and serves as the ultimate proving ground for the Saleen 1.”
Gabriele Cadringher recently joined Saleen as director of motorsports and will lead the Saleen Cup. The former technical director and consultant for FIA and Grand-Am will use the five-race events to further hone the track capabilities of the Saleen 1.
Uniquely, the Saleen Cup is open to standard “D” licensed drivers, and offers a distinct professional-level racing experience, in which each car is equally prepared and maintained in-house, including back-up cars, plus transported to each race event. The Saleen Cup also features two racer teams, which can split the cost for participants and offer more affordable racing opportunities. At the conclusion of the five-race series, category champions in the Saleen Cup will secure a factory seat driving in Saleen’s GT4 entry for the entire 2020 season.
The Saleen Cup will consist of five racings scheduled for the second half of the Blancpain GT World Challenge America, and kicks-off at Sonoma Raceway in California Wine Country in June. Drivers who are able to compete in the five races through October 20 are now being actively recruited. Information on the Saleen Cup is available at www.SaleenCup.com:
Sonoma Raceway (Calif.) – June 7-9, 2019
Portland International Raceway (Ore.) – July 12-14, 2019
Watkins Glen (NY) – August 30 – Sept. 1, 2019
Road America (Wis.) – Sept. 20-22, 2019
Las Vegas Motor Speedway (NV) – Oct. 18-20, 2019
Saleen’s innovative Saleen 1 model was recently unveiled as a major breakthrough for the venerated high-performance vehicle manufacturer, headquartered in Corona, Calif. Boasting innovative chassis design and performance influenced by Saleen’s legendary S7 supercar, the 450hp turbocharged 2.2-liter, four-cylinder Saleen 1 marks the latest in the company’s Saleen Original line.
For more information on the Saleen Cup, visit www.SaleenCup.com. For more information on the Saleen 1 model, visit www.Saleen.com, or follow Saleen on social media using Facebook at Facebook.com/Saleen , or by using @Saleen on Twitter and @Saleen on Instagram.
By: DAN SANCHEZ on March 27, 2018 at 10:02 am MDT
Original Article: COMPANYWEEK.COM
Saleen Automotive Inc. www.saleenautomotive.com
Corona, CA
Founded 1984
Employees: 50
Privately Owned
Industry: Industrial/Equipment
Products: Automobile Original Equipment Manufacturer
Amy Boylan continues to build on Steve Saleen’s performance automobile brand using social media and lean manufacturing practices.
Amy Boylan’s path to a leadership role at California’s iconic Saleen Automotive is a road well traveled — mostly by men. But after a stint as president and COO at Shelby American and COO at West Coast Customs, Boylan’s less focused on glass ceilings than she is on stewarding an enduring brand that’s broken the rules of American automotive OEMs by transforming iconic automotive platforms into custom, high-performance machines.
Amy Boylan COO Saleen Automotive
“Steve Saleen has built a legacy and a brand that has lasted more than 34 years,” says Boylan, president and COO at Saleen Automotive since June 2017. “That’s what attracted me to the company. He’s weathered both good and bad times, but the automobiles he’s created remain collectible and beautiful, making the brand timeless.”
Enduring some ups and downs over the years, the car manufacturer has never stopped producing vehicles and aftermarket accessories. “Steve developed a car every single year for 34 years,” says Boylan. The company is most commonly known for its Saleen 302 on the Mustang platform, a high performance version of the Ford Mustang with a redesigned body, drivetrain and interior that delivers higher performance.
“Steve also built the S7, the first American supercar which has its own extensive history winning races,” says Boylan. “The new S1 is his latest design, an affordable supercar that can reach 180 mph. We like to call it – a sports car with a supercar pedigree.” Because of these achievements and capabilities, the company is recognized as an original equipment manufacturer, not a tuner. “We are an OEM,” says Boylan. “We’re like a smaller high-end company like Porsche or Ferrari. We get pre-titled vehicles from dealers but we go through all the required testing that all OEMs do.”
Saleen S7 LM Edition
The market has been good lately, and the company continues to grow with its manufacturing roots in California. “Everything is done here in Southern California,” says Boylan. “From the design, engineering, and even getting additional parts from local suppliers.” To improve efficiency, Boylan adopted station building, a technique first developed by Toyota. “When you station-build, you can figure out who is doing things correctly, and who needs more training,” says Boylan. “Teams sign off on a vehicle when it leaves their station and they own that build. Then everything goes under post inspection. If there’s something that goes wrong, and we see it being repeated, we can retrain or re-educate the team. This is important when you’re expanding the lines and taking the company to the next level.”
Boylan points out that Saleen’s way of building vehicles isn’t the same as having a bunch of workers bolting on parts. “Most mechanics and car builders have their own way of doing things. That may not work well here so we retrain,” says Boylan. “Steve is adamant about keeping records and keeping manufacturing consistent. Everything has to be exact.”
Saleen interior design – Saleen Automotive
The company also works with many vendors who must maintain that same high level of quality on their end. “We tell our vendors what we expect and show them the quality that it has to be,” says Boylan. “Everything must be done well and consistent. We look at every part that comes in and can send parts back to our vendors, so they can make it right. Steve believes, and I agree, that we have to touch everything so that the vehicle looks and sounds like a Saleen.”
Boylan realizes that keeping the brand growing involves embracing social media on many levels. The company has Facebook and Instagram pages, and she personally engages online to speak with vehicle owners. “We have customers who have a 1984 Saleen and we still make parts for those cars,” says Boylan. “We still support and talk to them. It’s important to talk to customers who have kept loyal to the brand.”
Ford GT, Saleen 1, Saleen S7 Competition
Needs: “You can never have enough equipment and people,” says Boylan. “In this area of California, it’s hard to find workers. Where we are now, in Corona, California, it’s a great place for a middle-class lifestyle, but not the best place to find executive level employment. Most people at that level are transplants and that’s sometimes difficult.
Challenges: “Trying to grow at the speed we need,” says Boylan. “We have turned a corner and are trying to keep up with a growing demand. We have created licensing deals with China to build vehicles over there, but all cars for North America will be designed, engineered, and built in the U.S. There are people here building to design stuff overseas. It’s the same for anyone building a car from scratch.”
Opportunities: “Steve has never been pigeonholed into one thing,” says Boylan. “He helped build the Ford GT for Ford, He also helped with the Dodge Viper. He’s brilliant in finding new opportunities. The new Saleen 1 (S1) for example breaks the mold for a $100K carbon fiber sports car that can reach 180 mph.”
CORONA, CA — December 7, 2017, Following the successful launch of Saleen 1 at the LA Auto Show last week, Saleen Automotive, Inc., has released more information on Steve Saleen’s newest creation. This modern, all-new, two-seater, mid-engine sports car is equipped with Supercar credentials.
The Saleen 1 features a 2.5L, I4, high output, turbocharged, Saleen-designed engine generating 450 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 180mph. Standard is a 6-speed manual transmission with an optional paddle-shifter automatic to be offered at a later date.
The aluminum tub and carbon fiber body of the Saleen 1 weighs in at 2,685 pounds. The combination of horsepower and weight creates a power-to-weight ratio that places Saleen 1 within the ranks of the high-performance elite.
Equipped with independent wishbone suspension, Saleen 1 will ride on wide wheels shod in 255/30/ZR20 front and 335/25/ZR20 rear Continental Tires achieving 1.2Gs on the skid pad. The 15-inch calipers and rotors, front and rear, provide ultimate stopping power. The front to rear weight bias is perfectly balanced at 42F/58R.
The innovative design of Saleen 1, with its seductive contours, results in greater downforce while reducing high speed lift and generating a greater air flow to give the car better speed and agility. It is a car built for the road or the track, utilizing Steve Saleen’s 35-plus years of success in design, manufacturing, and racing.
As an original concept by one of the world’s most innovative car designers, the Saleen 1 interior is constructed to deliver optimum control, safety, and comfort. With bold racing-inspired instrumentation, the luxury of high-end leathers and suede, and use of Alcantera throughout the interior cabin, the car holds true to its Supercar heritage. Amenities such as the latest electronic connectivity, Sirius radio, and Apple Play wrapped in a six-speaker sound system enhance the riding experience. The subtle—yet plentiful—storage such as cup holders, door panel pockets, compartments in the console and behind the seats, alcove in the center stack, and up front suitcase storage assist in making Saleen 1 extremely suitable for every day driving and longer trips.
Production of Saleen 1 will begin soon at Saleen’s Corona, California, location. With a planned production run of 1,500 Saleen 1s yearly, the car will be available in Saleen’s 12 special colors, including Tire Smoke Pearl White, Lizstick Red (Candy Apple Red), and Beryllium (Copper).
Amazingly, all this power and unequaled design, accompanied with a 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty, is available for only $100,000. A deposit of $1,000 will secure your order today.
Media contact: cbenty@saleen.com
Saleen Automotive, Inc.
2735 Wardlow Road
Corona, CA 92882
714.400.2121
