Steve Saleen

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Steve Saleen is an American racing driver and businessman. He is most well known for being the founder and president of Saleen Autosport, a manufacturer of specialty vehicles, particularly modified Ford Mustangs.

[edit] Biography

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.

[edit] Personal life

Saleen lives in Coto de Caza, California, with his wife Elizabeth ("Liz"). He has 3 adult children - daughter Molly and sons, Clint and Sean - who all work for his company.

[edit] Trivia

• Saleen had the dubious honor of being featured in automotive journalist Robin Miller's list of the "20 Worst Champ Car Drivers" in the December 1999-January 2000 issue of Champ Car magazine. Saleen was #15 on the list for his largely unsuccessful attempt at racing in the then-CART series in 1989.