By
Dennis McKee, Southwest Region Director
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It was a sad day when news came that the traditional September Saleen
Show at their facility in Irvine was not going to happen this
September. I know many club members and friends who were very
disappointed by the decision. Saleen had not written off an event for
owners and fans, however. Within a limited time frame Saleen worked
together with Speedlab and car clubs, including SCOA, to organize a
series of events at different locations over two days culminating at Fun
Ford Weekend held at California Speedway in Fontana, CA.
Saleen
kicked off the weekend early by hosting pizza and drink at their retail
store in Irvine. In addition to the regular sites at the store, such as
the bisected S281 display and the obligatory S7 at the entrance, there
was an unexpected car up on the turntable that usually spins a PJ.
Sitting on the slowly rotating platform was a mustang-based Saleen,
dressed in black with red accents, looking somewhat low key (for a
Saleen) but at the same time menacing. Marques McCammon, the new
General Manager would later announce the new car as the S281-RF (Red
Flag) edition. The cars, limited to 100 units are fitted with Saleen’s
potent blower and a lower entry price starting just under 50 grand.
According to Marques, who came to Saleen from Chrysler SRT, we will no
longer see four digit production numbers but rather more limited
production models, such as the RF and PJ editions. One of the goals of
this manufacturing strategy is to bolster the exclusivity of owning a
Saleen. The new G.M. also mentioned that owners of older generation
cars will not be abandoned, as there are plans to provide parts for
those models again in the future. We all have our fingers crossed.
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Saturday
began early as two dozen SCOA members and Friends staged their cars in
the Saleen Store parking lot before 6:00 am. We gathered at such an
obscene hour in preparation to drive the short distance to the Cars and
Coffee Car Show held in Ford’s
Premiere Auto Group
parking lot nearby. This weekly, morning event draws hundreds of
impressive cars, from model Ts to contemporary European Exotics to
historic race cars and everything between. SCOA helped out another club
with parking duties to pack the reserved marque area full of S281s from
all generations, as well as Fox bodies, S331 pickups and even an S121
Focus. After spending a couple hours checking out Saleens and all the
other fine automobiles, it was time to embark on the next event of the
day.
Guided by
Speedlab’s Jarred Chavez in his red S281, a great procession of Saleens
was lead through local foot hills in route to the California Speedway
race track. Great (warm and dry) weather and light traffic enhanced the
beautiful canyon cruise. Little did we know that by the next day,
increased heat and strong winds would feed a large wild fire that
ravaged the vegetation, wildlife and houses along the same route for the
next week. After a thirty-three mile drive, we stopped briefly at a
rendezvous point, before battling the Southern California freeways for
another thirty plus miles, finally arriving at the gates of the
speedway.
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We were all caught
off guard by the long wait encountered getting into the show area but
there was a reason. Speedlab arranged for the entire group of Saleens
to parade down the drag strip access road in front of the grand stands.
One by one, we drove our cars past the fans as a representative from
Saleen provided commentary about the cars and the brand. Past the end
of the track, we then took turns parking in front of a Fun Ford Weekend
backdrop for a photo.
After some
parking confusion and delays, all the cars were finally parked and ready
to show off. With greater than fifty Saleens parked in one very long
row, there was now shortage of great eye candy. Across from the
impressive line of Saleens, a lesser number of other Ford powered cars
and trucks were displayed. Aside from the car show, there was of course
the drag racing and associated food and vendor area. The familiar
Saleen trailer was present as were a few cars. JDM also had an
impressive trailer in the pit area, which attracted many spectators to
their dominating Mustangs.
By
mid-afternoon, Saleen had completed their judging and it was time for
the trophy presentation, MC’d by the entertaining Jon Shultz, president
of Beach Cities Mustang Club. The quantity of trophies was unexpectedly
minimal with only first place awards given in a reduced number of
classes but SCOA members did well, winning most of the available
trophies. The show was well worth the drive for Bart and Marcia VanRy
who brought their ’01 Laser Red S281-SC coupe out from Montana! They
went back home to Big Sky Country with three trophies, including FFW
Best in Show. Saleen also surprised us by presenting an award of
appreciation to SCOA for our contribution and help with the weekend’s
events.
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Another top
award was for the Best Club-Affiliated Car. All clubs in attendance
picked one car to compete against a car from the other clubs. With
twelve member cars in the show, SCOA had a fine pool of cars to choose
from. After a very amicable discussion, we selected the clean, ’89 SSC
owned by Curtis Parker. Saleen reviewed the cars briefly then chose
Curtis’ car over the competition from Stangpede. In addition to winning
a hefty trophy, Curtis would also be able to display his SSC in the
Saleen Store and drive a loaner S281 for a week. Not a bad deal!
After the
show and some time to freshen up from the full, hot day, around
twenty-five Saleen die-hards met at a local restaurant and sports bar
for much needed sustenance and re-hydration. SCOA members, Jim D’Amore
Jr., Jim III, the JDM crew and members of Speedlab chowed down and
talked it up until it was time to call it a night.
So the 11th
Annual Saleen Show proved to be quite a departure from the 1st
through 10th
year events. Even before leaving the speedway grounds, there was talk
about the 12th
Annual Saleen Show with intentions for growing the event. It will be
great if their plans come through. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for
2008.
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