Leslie for Saleen ALMS attack?

Touring car star David Leslie could make a full-time return to the cockpit in the dramatic Saleen S7R sportscar. The former Nissan driver, out of a regular drive this season, has already been confirmed as the marque's test driver and is under consideration for its assault on the GTS class of next year's American Le Mans Series

Sep 30, 2000, 9:03 AM

Marque founder Steve Saleen said: "David is one of a number of options we are considering for the fourth and final seat in our ALMS line-up."

Another possibility is that Leslie could race for a semi-works Saleen operation in the European Le Mans Series. Ray Mallock Limited, which built the S7R and will run the test team, is considering mounting an attack on the newly-announced championship.

RML put the first S7R through its paces at Croft at the end of last week, with Chris Goodwin at the wheel (Leslie will take over this week). Saleen said: "Testing has gone well so far and if it continues as we hope, we will be at the Laguna ALMS race in mid-October."

Saleen will run two S7Rs in the ALMS next year and will also mount attacks on the 24-hour sportscar classics at Le Mans and Daytona. Team regulars Terry Borcheller and Ron Johnson have been retained, while double Trans-Am champion Tommy Kendall has been lured out of semi-retirement by the team.