Saleen Automotive has partnered up with SRO Motorsports Group to host the Saleen Cup, an arrive and drive-style GT Class race to showcase its newest turbocharged, mid-engine sports car, the Saleen 1. The Saleen Cup will have a five-race schedule running a 20-car grid parallel to the Blancpain GT World Challenge America. All cars will be maintained, serviced, and transported to each track by Saleen Automotive. Throughout the season, drivers (two per car) will have the opportunity to win a seat in Saleens factory GT4 class car for 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. After the inaugural event from June 7-9, the series heads to Portland International Raceway from July 12-14. Watkins Glen from August 30- September 1, Road America from September 20-22, and the Grand Finale in Las Vegas from October 18-20 will round out the racing season. Former technical director of the FIA and now Saleens director of motorsport, Gabriel Cardringher, will head up the series. The recently unveiled Saleen 1 is heavily influenced by its predecessor, the S7. However, instead of a boosted V8 mounted in the middle of the chassis, theyve gone with a 2.2L, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 450hp and a 6-speed manual transmission. According to Motor Trend , the chassis was based on a defunct German sports car called the Artega GT, albeit, with a different powertrain. The production car is slated to make it to 60mph in 3.5 seconds, run the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds, and has a top speed of 180mph. The race version of the car does have a few tweaks that make it a racecar. A Holinger sequential gearbox with paddle-shifters sits behind the engine. The suspension is adjustable front and rear and features a double control arm configuration. Stopping is handled by TM Performance racing brakes (Front 6 pistons calipers, 380 mm discs; Rear 4 pistons calipers, 355 mm discs). 18-inch wheels (Front 9.5, Rear 11) are tucked beneath, a CFD Analysis aero package. The safety equipment according to the FIA international specifications. To enter the series, click here to fill out the application and get to racing!     The post Saleen Returns to Racing with an Arrive and Drive Series. appeared first on Hot Rod Network .