[News] Swift and sleek, New Zealand's Saker soars onto the North American race scene
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Karin Risko, Crystal Bay Communications karinrisko@crystalbaycommunications.com 734 642-5712 Swift and sleek, New Zealand’s Saker soars onto the North American race scene Michigan’s Autosport Development manufactures sexy sports racer Trenton, MI – July 12, 2006 - Illinois-based Saker Motorsports LLC and Michigan’s Autosport Development have teamed up to produce and sell the Saker SVS GTA, the sports racer you’ve been dreaming about. Originally designed and developed in New Zealand, Sakers are full size, purpose-built, Subaru powered road-racing machines that capture the spirit of Daytona and Le Mans prototypes with their visually striking closed-cockpit design. Hand built to order rather than mass-produced, these high quality racecars not only look great but deliver maximum performance as well. “The cars are designed to appeal to racing and performance car enthusiasts who love to have fun racing but don’t want to spend a fortune to do so,” says Jim Schofield, Saker Motorsports LLC president. “Sakers provide an affordable alternative in the high priced racing market. Our highly scalable, maximum value sports racers are targeted toward both novice and aspiring professional drivers.” Extremely competitive in its base form, the Saker SVS GTA can be modified to please those who want even more excitement. The scalable, mid-engine space-frame platform lends itself to numerous performance upgrades challenging even the most experienced drivers. Weighing less than 1700 pounds, the turbocharged 300 hp base engine moves the Saker SVS GTA with the speed of an exotic streetcar. Optional power plant upgrades can easily top well over 400 hp, making the Saker SVS GTA a formidable opponent in sprint or endurance racing - no matter what the competition. Currently, the Saker is marketed toward amateur racers for track day events and club racing. “It’s a sexy car,” says Saker owner Dan Moon, 55, of Freemont, Michigan. Not only does Moon find the car appealing, but he also likes the car’s competitiveness and the fact he can be ready for race day with little preparation. “I don’t have time for preparation!” says Moon. Two Sakers recently made their North American debut in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) A Sports Racer (ASR) series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Future plans include development of the Saker for professional racing, too. Four Sakers (three racers and one street car) have been produced in North America to date, and both companies hope annual production at Autosport Development’s Trenton, Michigan facility soon reaches 40 or 50. Priced between $68,000 and $80,000, these performance-bred racing machines have been winning races and setting lap records at racetracks all over the world since 1992. Have a need for speed? Order your sports racer today! Sales inquiries can be made by calling (847) 968-5516, and manufacturing inquiries can be made at (734) 675-1620. Or, access information online at: www.sakermotorsports.com and www.autosportdevelopment.com. Autosport Development competes in the SPEED World Challenge GT Series recently named “the most competitive road racing series in the world” by Racer magazine. In 2005, driver Stu Hayner, finished the season seventh in points, a huge feat considering the team had no factory support from any major automotive manufacturers. As the first team to develop GTO road racers, Autosport Development’s expertise is in demand by other teams now fielding these cars. The race shop is also involved in prototype and racecar development, preparation, fabrication, assembly, carbon fiber work as well as automotive manufacturing. For more information, visit www.autosportdevelopment.com. Saker Motorsports LLC's mission is to provide racing and performance car enthusiasts with racecars that offer exceptional performance and unrivaled reliability at affordable prices. Headquartered in Vernon Hills, Illinois, Saker Motorsports LLC owns the rights to manufacture and sell Sakers in North, Central and South America.