page_title: Saleen S7
section_title: S7R
hierarchical_section_title: Saleen S7 / S7R
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Saleen S7-R, driven by Thomas Erdos, Pedro Chaves &amp; Mike Newton from Graham Nash Motorsport approaches Dunlop Bridge at the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans
context_page_description: The Saleen S7 is a hand-built, high-performance sports car designed and built by American automobile manufacturer Saleen Automotive Inc. Developed jointly by Steve Saleen for the initial concept, direction and engine, Hidden Creek Industries for resources and initial funding, Ray Mallock Ltd. for chassis, suspension and aerodynamics, and Phil Frank for the body and interior CAD design and development.
  It was the first fully proprietary car produced by Saleen and became America's fifth mid-engine production sports car coming after the Consulier GTP, Mosler Raptor, Vector W8, and M12. The S7 debuted on August 19, 2000 at the Monterey Historic Races. The all-aluminium engine is a bored-and-stroked derivative of Ford's 351 Windsor small block with Cleveland-style canted valve heads, not based on the FE big-block. It proved remarkably tractable and flexible for a high-output requirement—550 hp at 6,400 rpm. In 2005, the S7 gained a more powerful twin-turbocharged powerplant which boosted engine power to 750 hp and top speed to 248 mph.
  A silver 2004 S7 appeared in the film Bruce Almighty.
context_section_description: The Saleen S7R is a racing version of the standard, naturally aspirated S7, produced from 2000 to 2007. It was designed to compete in grand tourer–style motorsports series and events such as the American Le Mans Series, FIA GT Championship, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ray Mallock Ltd. (RML) assembled the first few S7Rs under the supervision of Saleen's engineering team in their workshops in Britain, before Saleen assumed control over all S7R assembly with the French Oreca squad executing final outfitting in 2006. A total of fourteen S7Rs were completed to race-ready condition. Seven additional S7Rs were assembled to a level of completeness requiring the assignment of Vehicle Identification Numbers; however, these chassis were never outfitted into complete vehicles.
  In 2004, Ferrari had gathered VIPs and automotive press around the world at Ferrari's Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track for the round 8 of the FIA GT Super Racing Weekend Imola to witness the sure victory of their race cars and then new Maserati MC12 GT1 against foreign competition. Vitaphone Racing's S7R driven by Michael Bartels and Uwe Alzen competed against two Maserati MC12s, three Ferrari 550s, three Ferrari 575s and two Lamborghini Murcielagos in GT Class specification securing the overall win. Ferrari's then CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was in attendance of the race and he admitted the S7R's victory by saying "We were no match for the Saleen today". It was regarded as one of the biggest upsets in auto racing history by the automotive press as a race car from a low volume manufacturer had beaten Ferrari at their home track.
caption: Saleen S7R of Graham Nash Motorsports
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