1983: Birth of Saleen Autosport
Steve Saleen forms Saleen Autosport from his dinner table at his home in Santa Rosa, CA.
1982: A return to closed wheel racing
In 1982 Steve returned to closed wheel racing in the SCCA Trans Am Series, where he campaigned a Pontiac Trans Am for Pontiac Motor Car Company. He set a number of track records during the season, though he was never able to win a race, due mechanical failures at each event. His season efforts contributed to the team’s ultimate win of the championship.
1980: Setting Records
Steve runs the complete Pro Formula Atlantic series in a Ralt RT1 where he sets several track records, and leads the championship up until the last race, where he finished 3rd, only 3 points away from 1st place.
1979: Pro Atlantic
Steve Saleen entered the Pro Atlantic series and raced against the likes of Gilles Villenue, Bobby Rahall, Keke Rosberg, and Danny Sullivan.
1978: 13 New Track Records
In Formula Atlantic Steve set thirteen new track records in his region and won the Pacific Coast Championship.