by Derek Jackson
Motorsport America traveled to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL for the 60th anniversary of the Ford Mustang Celebration presented by the Mustang Club of America. Photographers Fred Hanyon and Derek Jackson captured these exclusive photos of the event which included an Autocross for MCA Members and the unveiling of the 2024 Saleen 302 Black Label 5.0 Coyote 800-hp V8 Mustang.
Saleen 302 Black Label Mustang Unveiling
Saleen Automotive is celebrating its 40th year in business, the 60th anniversary of the Ford Mustang, as well as the 75th birthday it’s founder and legendary racing driver and vehicle builder, Steve Saleen. Steve said, “It’s great to be here today and I can’t think of a better place to unveil one of our latest creations here at the 60th anniversary of the Mustang here with Ford Motor Company and the Mustang Club of America that has put on this event. I’ve had a lot of people ask me from time to time what my favorite car is, and I always say it’s the one I’m working on. But today, it’s the one that I’m actually about to uncover I can tell you that, and I hope that you’re as excited with it as we have been creating it. It’s been 60 years in the making from Ford and 40 years in the making from Saleen, and with the exception of the Ford Mustang itself and the Chevrolet Corvette, the Saleen Mustang nameplate is the longest continuing nameplate that has been made in North America. The Mustang Club threw me a surprise birthday party for me last night, and I’m hoping we have another 40 or 50 years left in us to continue to build great cars”.
Steve’s wife Liz, and their daughter Molley were on hand to help with the honors of unveiling their new top-of-the-line Mustang. Upon the unveiling, Steve noted that the first obvious thing to notice is the Speedlab Beryllium color that is one of the 14 special colors that Saleen offers. The front end has been extended about an inch and a half. It has a downward slope, with a bigger splitter in the front, which gives it a much more aerodynamic aspect. The vehicle incorporates brake cooling vents, re-sculptured vanes, the rear fascia has been extended over a standard Mustang and of course it includes the Saleen signature center exhaust. Steve noted the new Black Label 302 wouldn’t be a Saleen without the Saleen styled wing that is needed to balance the downforce in the front, with the downforce that is required in the back.
The new black label has a complete Gen-5 suspension with coil-over shocks, sway bars, pivot bushings and everything that you would want to have for a performance vehicle. Whether you’re driving it every day to the supermarket or looking to make it a track vehicle, this car will definitely take anything in its category on the road holding ability. It has very unique wheels with the largest rubber that you can put on a Mustang right now, with 10-inch-wide rims in front and 11 inch-wide plus in the back and it all comes with the Continental tires. Saleen 302 Models include an instrument surround with LED screens, creating a more integrated look. All Black Labels feature custom Saleen Sport Seating with Alcantara and color matched stitching. The 2024 Saleen 302 Black Label will carry a starting price of $108,990.
Mustang Club of America Autocross
The Autocross Event was offered to Mustang Club of America members for groups of Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Very Advance class drivers based on past experience and/or competition licenses. In addition to the Autocross, the event included a judged car show in which hundreds of Mustangs were entered.
Barber Motorsports Park is a truly beautiful location with lush landscaping and waterfalls throughout the 880-acre facility, to unique iron sculptured art works that pay homage to Birmingham’s history as one of the nation’s leading iron and steel producers. Barber is noted for its landscaping and greenery; the track has been referred to as “The Augusta National of Motorsports”. The venue is a delight to the eyes for nature lovers, art lovers and lovers of speed alike. Showcase events like IndyCars Grand Prix and the MotoAmerica Superbikes Tour make Barber Motorsports Part a premier road racing venue in the Southeast.
Barber Motorsports Park is also the home of the North American Porsche Driving School, along with various track day events. The facility recently built the “Barber Proving Grounds”, which includes a new track area and wet/dry skidpad that will accommodate additional events while the existing track is in use. Barber is just as famously known for being the home of the world’s largest motorcycle museum, with over 1,700 motorcycles in it’s collection, and up to 1,000 bikes on continuous display.
Barber will host the IndyCars on April 26-28 and the MotoAmerica Superbikes on May 17-19. For tickets to spectator racing events and the museum, please visit:
Barber Motorsports Park and Museum | Birmingham, Alabama (barberracingevents.com)
Barber Motorsports Museum | Largest Motorcycle Collection (barbermuseum.org)
