Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club
Encyclopedia
| Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1991 |
| Abbreviation | SOEC |
| Motto | Aiding The Addicted |
| Type | Social and Special Interest |
| Location |  United States |
| Service Area | International |
| Principal Focus | Steve Saleen Steve Saleen Stephen Mark Saleen is an American businessman and former racing driver. He is best known for being the founder and former vice chairman of Saleen, Inc., originally named Saleen Autosport, which until 2009 was an OEM manufacturer of specialty vehicles including the Saleen S7 and highly modified... and his Vehicles |
| Founders | John McCauley, Bob Muesegaes, Bob Pitcairn, Gregory Wackett and Laura Clark |
| Website | http://www.soec.org |
The Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club (SOEC) is a United States-based organization serving both the owner and enthusiast of Saleen
Saleen
Saleen, Incorporated, commonly known as Saleen, was an American manufacturer of high-performance sports cars and high-performance automotive parts in Troy, Michigan, formerly based in Irvine, California...
produced automobiles worldwide. Organized into five U.S. regions and serving an extensive member base; the SOEC arrange gatherings in the form of shows, track events, social events and meetings for the enjoyment of the owner/enthusiast. The Club also seeks to provide interaction with Steve Saleen
Steve Saleen
Stephen Mark Saleen is an American businessman and former racing driver. He is best known for being the founder and former vice chairman of Saleen, Inc., originally named Saleen Autosport, which until 2009 was an OEM manufacturer of specialty vehicles including the Saleen S7 and highly modified...
, members of his family, and executives of SMS Supercars.
History and Club Formation
Founded in late 1990 by Tim Cronin as the Saleen Mustang Car Club of North America and Saleen Registry (SMCCNA). Initial groundwork covered by Tim and early SMCCNA members created the second attempt to build a national entity for Saleen buffs to gather and communicate. The first attempt being the Saleen Vehicle Owners of North America (SVONA) by Dave Frezza.Not long after the formation of SMCCNA, due to time constraints Tim turned over the day-to-day operations of the club to then Vice President John McCauley in mid-1991. Once John assumed responsibility of President, his main focus became to reorganize the group, to petition Steve Saleen for his support and endorsement. In an effort to promote the club to more than just owners of Saleen vehicles, it was decided to change the name to Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club.
The founding board members of SOEC were John McCauley, Bob Muesegaes, Bob Pitcairn, Gregory Wackett and Laura Clark.
With a great deal of effort and organization the newly formed SOEC went to the August 1991 Trans-Am
Trans-Am Series
The Trans-Am Series is an automobile racing series which was created in 1966 by Sports Car Club of America President John Bishop. Originally known as the Trans-American Sedan Championship it has evolved over time from its original format as a manufacturers championship for modified racing sedans...
race held at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
to show Steve the SOEC were a serious organization and he needed to support the Club.
The 1991 Watkins Glen function was the first official race and show event of SOEC, 12 owners attended with their cars; one of the farthest being Gene Floyd from Atlanta who drove his SSC up to participate. This landmark event was filled with activities, which included a parade lap around the track, meet-and-greet time with Steve in the pits, and a special SOEC Car Corral.
In November 1991 the SOEC board flew out to participate in the Cruise on the Queen show and for the release of the 1992 Saleen line-up. During this event several owners had the opportunity in building the Saleen press car (91-0001) and touring the production facility. During that weekend Steve offered his support to the club and the SOEC was officially born with the additional bonus of gained distinction as the first (and only) Saleen vehicle group backed by Steve Saleen.
Following this event, Steve returned to the East Coast for the 1992 MCA nationals in Lynchburg, Virginia, where the Club had over 22 Saleen present.
Club Organization
- National President
-
- National Directors
- Regional Directors
- National Board Of Directors - Secretary, Treasurer, Directors at Large
- National Vice President
Regions
- Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Military PO, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- Northeast: Eastern Canada, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
- Central: Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Wisconsin
- Southwest: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada
- Northwest: Western Canada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Saleen Alley
Saleen Alley is the club’s international, quarterly publication. Born in 1997 as the SOEC newsletter, Saleen Alley continued to develop into a prominent periodical featuring magazine-esque layouts of owner’s stories, new model introductions, Saleen history, vehicle market trends, in addition to show, meet, and race coverage.Club Activities
Each year the club participates in numerous National Show Events. Shows include, or have included: MCA Nationals, SAAC Nationals, SAAC Regionals, Fabulous Fords Forever at Knotts Berry Farm, Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance, Motorsports Nationals, Carlisle All-Ford Nationals, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, Mustang 30th, 35th and 40th Anniversary Celebrations, Mustangs Northwest, Woodward Dream Cruise, and the Annual Saleen Show.Club Members Participate in Several Track Events each year. Tracks include: Atlanta Speedway, Charlotte, Hallet, Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Summit, Watkins Glen and the Annual SOEC Autocross in Irvine.
Social Activities Abound: Group Dinners, Countryside Drives, Go Karting, Slick Track Driving, Cruise-Ins, Race Spectating, Ocean Cruises and much, much more.
Saleen Archives by SOEC
With inception of the Club in 1990, Saleen vehicle documentation became an important part of its function. Dealer sales material, magazine articles, parts guides, internal memos, monroney stickers, instruction manuals, owner’s packets, and Saleen offered accessories were collected and/or noted for future reference.Starting in 2006, the Club started to offer digital downloads of the above material via the Club website.
SOEC Notables
- Longest-running Saleen vehicle organization.
- The only factory-approved Saleen vehicle organization.
- The only Steve Saleen-backed organization that celebrates his creations.
- Marketing and sale of the SA-10, SA-15, SA-20 anniversary vehicles to SOEC members.
- Creation and implementation of the Mustang Club of America (MCA) Saleen vehicle judging rules.