Steve Saleen
Encyclopedia
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 Ford Mustang
s.
, Saleen worked at his father's manufacturing business before attending the University of Southern California
and graduating with a degree in business.
With an interest in fast cars sparked by his father's purchase of a Porsche
, Steve joined the Porsche Owners Club and worked his way up through the ranks of club racing, which led to a career in professional racing. He entered the Formula Atlantic
series where, in 1980, he finished third in the final standings behind eventual champion Jacques Villeneuve
. He progressed on to the SCCA
Trans-Am Series
in 1982, driving a Ford Mustang. From here, a passion for one of Ford's most famous automobiles begin to manifest itself.
Saleen formed Saleen Autosport in 1983 and set to building the first Saleen Mustang, equipped with special aerodynamic, suspension and handling packages and a completely redesigned interior. The car was completed in 1984 and was immediately tested against the world’s top sports cars with great success, finishing first in its class at the Mosport
24-hour race that year.
In 1995, Saleen formed a race team with comedian Tim Allen
and fellow race driver Bob Bondurant
, called Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab (the name "RRR" was a play on Allen's "arr arr arr" grunt which had become his trademark in both stand-up comedy
and on his television show, Home Improvement). The team raced Saleen Mustangs in the SCCA World Challenge
, with Saleen and Allen themselves as the drivers.
In 1996, Saleen was (along with Carroll Shelby
) inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame.
In March 2007 Steve Saleen resigned from Saleen, Inc. the company he founded in 1984, to pursue other business opportunities in the automotive sector.
On March 13, 2008 Steve Saleen announced the formation of “SMS Supercars”, Lifestyle Performance Automobiles. Through the years of building the reputation behind each automotive company brand, Saleen maintained close participation throughout product development, sales and marketing. He announced that the focus of SMS is with the high-end of the American Muscle Car and Global Supercar markets. In April 2009, Saleen announced that SMS Supercars will voluntarily honor the warranties of vehicles manufactured by the now-defunct Saleen
, Inc.
, with his wife Elizabeth ("Liz"). He has 3 adult children all of whom also work for SMS Supercars. Saleen's three adult children also worked for him at Saleen, Inc
prior to his departure from that company.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and former racing driver. He is best known for being the founder and former vice chairman of Saleen, Inc.
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...
, originally named Saleen Autosport, which until 2009 was an OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
manufacturer of specialty vehicles including the Saleen S7
Saleen S7
The Saleen S7 is a limited-production, hand-built, high-performance American supercar developed jointly by Steve Saleen for the initial concept and direction, Hidden Creek Industries for resources and initial funding, Phil Frank for the body and interior CAD design and development, and Ray Mallock...
and highly modified Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
s.
Biography
Born in Inglewood, CaliforniaInglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
, Saleen worked at his father's manufacturing business before attending the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and graduating with a degree in business.
With an interest in fast cars sparked by his father's purchase of a Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
, Steve joined the Porsche Owners Club and worked his way up through the ranks of club racing, which led to a career in professional racing. He entered the Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
series where, in 1980, he finished third in the final standings behind eventual champion Jacques Villeneuve
Jacques Villeneuve (elder)
Jacques Villeneuve Sr. also known as Jacquo or Uncle Jacques is a Canadian racer. He is the younger brother of the late Gilles Villeneuve, and uncle to Jacques Villeneuve . He was born in the small town of Berthierville, Quebec, Canada. He is now frequently known as Uncle Jacques because of the...
. He progressed on to the SCCA
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
Trans-Am Series
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...
in 1982, driving a Ford Mustang. From here, a passion for one of Ford's most famous automobiles begin to manifest itself.
Saleen formed Saleen Autosport in 1983 and set to building the first Saleen Mustang, equipped with special aerodynamic, suspension and handling packages and a completely redesigned interior. The car was completed in 1984 and was immediately tested against the world’s top sports cars with great success, finishing first in its class at the Mosport
Mosport
Mosport International Raceway is a multi-track facility located north of Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. The facility features a , 10-turn road course; a half-mile paved oval; a 2.4 km advance driver and race driver training facility with a quarter-mile skid pad Mosport International Raceway...
24-hour race that year.
In 1995, Saleen formed a race team with comedian Tim Allen
Tim Allen
Tim Allen is an American comedian, actor, voice-over artist, and entertainer, known for his role in the sitcom Home Improvement...
and fellow race driver Bob Bondurant
Bob Bondurant
Robert Bondurant is an American former racecar driver who raced for Shelby American, Ferrari and Eagle teams.During his teens, Bondurant raced an Indian motorcycle on dirt ovals...
, called Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab (the name "RRR" was a play on Allen's "arr arr arr" grunt which had become his trademark in both stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
and on his television show, Home Improvement). The team raced Saleen Mustangs in the SCCA World Challenge
SPEED World Challenge
The Pirelli World Challenge is a North American auto racing series that is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America . Founded in 1985, it consists of four classes: grand touring, touring car, a "GTS" class since 2010, and a "touring car B-spec" since 2012...
, with Saleen and Allen themselves as the drivers.
In 1996, Saleen was (along with Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
) inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame.
In March 2007 Steve Saleen resigned from Saleen, Inc. the company he founded in 1984, to pursue other business opportunities in the automotive sector.
On March 13, 2008 Steve Saleen announced the formation of “SMS Supercars”, Lifestyle Performance Automobiles. Through the years of building the reputation behind each automotive company brand, Saleen maintained close participation throughout product development, sales and marketing. He announced that the focus of SMS is with the high-end of the American Muscle Car and Global Supercar markets. In April 2009, Saleen announced that SMS Supercars will voluntarily honor the warranties of vehicles manufactured by the now-defunct 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...
, Inc.
Personal life
Saleen lives in Coto de Caza, CaliforniaCoto de Caza, California
Coto de Caza is a census-designated place and guard-gated private community in Orange County, California. The population was 14,866 at the 2010 census, up from 13,057 at the 2000 census....
, with his wife Elizabeth ("Liz"). He has 3 adult children all of whom also work for SMS Supercars. Saleen's three adult children also worked for him at Saleen, Inc
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...
prior to his departure from that company.
IndyCar/CART
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Saleen |  PHO |
LBG 14 |
IND DNQ |
MIL |
DET 14 |
POR |
CLE 17 |
MEA |
 TOR 12 |
MCH |
POC |
MDO 14 |
ROA 25 |
NAZ |
LAG 13 |
31st | 1 |