AUSTIN, Texas — One of the most successful marques in GT racing history is returning to motorsports with the introduction of a new single-make series designed to showcase the world’s newest turbocharged mid-engine sports car.
California-based Saleen Automotive, led by legendary racing driver and high-performance vehicle pioneer Steve Saleen, will host the Saleen Cup, a five-event, “arrive-and-drive” race series designed to demonstrate the capabilities of its recently announced Saleen 1 sports car.
The Saleen Cup, which was announced 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 professional quality “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 at some of the most iconic circuits in the United States. I look forward to the inaugural event at Sonoma Raceway in June.”
“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.”
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.
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 450 horsepower turbocharged 2.2-liter, four-cylinder Saleen 1 marks the latest in the company’s Saleen original line.
- 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
- Grand Finale (Las Vegas) – Oct 18-20, 2019