Message from the Saleen Club of America:

Most of you know, since our club started in 2003, we were not officially recognized by Saleen as a National Club and were not supported by the company - only until recently were we given any support for our events in sponsorship fees.

Our clubs purpose is to provide the members with activities, communications and information about Saleens and to live up to our motto "Fun, Friendships and Saleens".

During a recent trip we made to Troy MI to meet with Saleen Performance Vehicles, our club and it's position was discussed with the new owners.

Today, we are happy to announce Saleen Performance Vehicles has recognized the Saleen Club of America as the sole Saleen supported & recognized national club.

Mike Shields, CEO of Saleen PV, has shown his support and recognition of the SCOA by listing us as the only Saleen club on their website www.saleen.com. In addition, the 2010 Saleen Warranty book will include our club contact information and be the only Saleen club listed.

Also, with each new Saleen vehicle, owners will receive information about our club in a Special Edition of PoweRRR, which they will find in their trunk. The Special Edition will be an overview of the club, it's events and members, plus on the back page, a special Membership Application with a (1) year free membership to the Saleen Club of America.

This is a major milestone in our club and shouldn't be treated lightly.

We also want to extend an invitation to members of other Saleen clubs to join with us, have some FUN, makes some FRIENDSHIPS and enjoy our Saleens.

In the October 2009 issue of PoweRRR, you can read about the discussion, the agreement and meet Mr. Shields and his staff.



Charlie Smith, President
Saleen Club of America
http://www.saleenclubofamerica.com

 

I like SOEC too.

 

Me, two.

 

Anyone could see this coming for a long time. SCOA has always been about the cars, and SOEC has always been about Steve.

 

Jared,
You are correct. The SCOA is not the "Steve Saleen Fan Club". We are an international car club celebrating the marque known as "Saleen", and we recognize and appreciate all those who have helped grow and shape Saleen over the past 25 years.

The Club motto sums it up, "Fun, friendships, and Saleens". One of the things members enjoy the most, besides all the events we put on, or participate in, is our Club's monthly magazine, PoweRRR.

As pointed out in the announcement from Charlie, the current Club president, "We also want to extend an invitation to members of other Saleen clubs to join with us, have some FUN, makes some FRIENDSHIPS and enjoy our Saleens."

 

 

Debatable. When Mike went off he knew SS, the Saleen Family and the company were not going to recognize them. Mike had to tow-the-line that his club was about the vehicles... since there was nothing else. Basic marketing.

Though, one could see this coming. Even during the stressful ASC/Saleen era. MJA needs a support group to aid in their public appeal operations. On that, I do believe Mike, Charlie and the SCOA crew should be congratulated on their new-found recognition by MJA.

I give "high-fives" and wish the best for both entities in this new endeavor.

 

Since there are lots of assumptions made about the founding of The Saleen Club of America, and perhaps some misinformation, please allow me to share a few things.

I am a long time Saleen owner, and first came to know the Saleen Mustangs in the 80's. I am a member of multiple car clubs, and have been for over 20 years. Quite simply put, I love cars, and join clubs to meet like minded owners, and to participate in events.

At one time I was a member of SOEC. In the fall of 2002 the current SOEC "president" appointed herself president-for-life based on her relationship with the Saleen family, and stopped following the rules and bylaws of the club. In my mind at that point in history the SOEC stopped being a car club dedicated to the marque and became the "Steve Saleen fan club".

I am not interested in belonging to a fan club. Not for Steve, not for anybody. I am interested in car clubs that celebrate and preserve the history of the marque, hold events all across the country, and deliver on what they promise for the dues that they charge.

I have talked many times over the years with both Steve & Liz Saleen about the Saleen Club of America, and it was just over 6 years ago myself and Larry M. first told the Saleens about the new club. They have known about the SCOA for a number of years, and have been supportive of the efforts in a limited capacity.

The Saleen Club of America has always been about the cars, and the owners & members of the Club. We are not a fan club, nor are we a support group for anybody other than our paid membership. We care about our members, and give them support, whatever that may involve. We may not be perfect, but, in my opinion, no national car club is 100% perfect. We have always commited an honest effort to do the best we could as a club, and never ventured away from our mission, which was to celebrate the vehicles produced by the car company known as "Saleen", regardless of whomever was CEO in the past, or in the future.

Mike Shields, CEO of Saleen (and MJA) has not asked the Saleen Club of America to be their "support group for public appeal operations". We (the SCOA) are not a group of "yes men" ready to tow-the-corporate-line blindly, nor are we here to spread mis-information and propaganda.

The club motto sums up what we are all about, "Fun, friendship, and Saleens".

I encourage all Saleen owners, and Saleen fans to check out the Saleen Club of America if they have not already done so, and to see what we are about firsthand. I think you will like what you see.

Thank you,
Mike C.

 

I don't know too man ymembers of the SCOA, but they seem like happy members and in the end thats all the matters.

 

Is this going to turn in to a "My club is better than yours" thread???