2026: Driven by Legacy

 Steve Saleen is an American automotive entrepreneur, former professional race driver, and the founder and CEO of Saleen Automotive, one of the most recognized names in high-performance American sports cars. Steve Saleen grew up in Southern California during the rise of the region’s influential car culture. His passion for racing and engineering began early and eventually led him to build a brand synonymous with speed, innovation, and race-inspired performance.

After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in business, Saleen entered competitive racing. He worked his way through club racing and into professional motorsports, competing in Formula Atlantic, Trans-Am racing, and eventually Indy car racing. His success behind the wheel helped shape his philosophy that race-tested technology should be brought directly to street vehicles.

In 1984, Steve Saleen founded Saleen Autosport, later known as Saleen Automotive. The company quickly gained recognition for transforming Ford Mustangs into high-performance machines with upgraded suspension systems, aerodynamics, engines, and interiors. Saleen vehicles earned credibility both on racetracks and in dealerships across the United States, helping create an entirely new market for factory-authorized specialty performance cars.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Saleen expanded his reputation through racing championships and iconic vehicle programs. He became particularly known for the Saleen Mustang line, which blended aggressive styling with track-ready engineering. In 2000, Saleen introduced the Saleen S7, America’s first fully proprietary production supercar. The S7 achieved worldwide recognition for its exotic design, carbon-fiber construction, and racing success at legendary circuits including Le Mans, Daytona, Monza, and Nürburgring.

Saleen’s expertise also attracted major automotive manufacturers. In 2002, Ford Motor Company selected Saleen to help engineer and assemble the modern Ford GT. His company additionally contributed to projects involving the Dodge Viper, specialty Ford trucks, and movie vehicles featured in films such as Transformers, Iron Man, and Bruce Almighty.

Widely respected as a visionary in automotive performance engineering, Steve Saleen has spent decades influencing American car culture through racing, manufacturing, and innovation. His name remains closely tied to high-performance Mustangs, American supercars, and the fusion of motorsports technology with everyday driving.

We are honored for Mr. Saleen to join us this year for our 2026 Colorado Shelby Rally.