Driven by pure passion Dutchman Robbert Visser started working on his sportscar project in 2001. His aim was to design and build a new type of sportscar. First of all, this sportscar needed to catch the eye by a conspicuous design, but would also need to possess an interesting price/quality ratio. In sum, it needed to be a fast, affordable and reliable car in order to give as many drivers as possible many years of sheer motorsport pleasure.
During this project, Robbert met Bruce Turnbull, a famous engineer in New-Zeeland. Bruce possessed some interesting drawings of the Saker Sportscar, where Robbert could elaborate on. During the beginning of the Saker development process, Robbert had also been sharing his ideas with Huub Vermeulen. At that moment in time, Huub’s organisation DNRT was already flourishing in organizing all types of club races in the Netherlands. In the strive for starting up affordable racing series, the current range was still missing a fast competitive series for the more experienced drivers. Therefore, the Saker Sportscar Challenge would be a very interesting supplement for the DNRT organisation. Such a Challenge would namely attract both racers from lower series as racers driving cars with comparable speeds who are seeking for a less expensive alternative.
De Saker Sportscar GT during its first tests.
According to Huub Vermeulen, who has about 40 years of race experience, “it is a very fast car with a steady and predictable handling”. “I believe”, he continues, “the Saker GT Sportscar has a solid chassis and is very well assembled. Furthermore, supplied with the proven Subaru engine, it is a reliable package. Last but not least, it is a very impressive car to show to your friends when they ask how you spend your weekends!”
In 2004, the Saker Sprint GT appeared in its first test session at the track in Zandvoort. The spectacular GT-car was immediately performing well and fulfilling its high expectations. However, like with any new car, some start-up problems occurred too.
One year later, it was the first season of the Saker Sportscar Challenge in the Netherlands. Through the engineering effort of many enthusiast Saker owners, there was a rapid development of the car. Furthermore, the Saker appeared in other racing series like the Dutch Supercar Challenge.
In the year 2006, Saker got a big boost: Brothers Laurens and Gerrit Meyer, who were one of the first buyers, decided to join Robbert Visser and Huub Vermeulen. From that moment on Saker Europe was born. In January 2007 the name evolved into Saker Sportscars and a brand new assembly factory was opened in the Netherlands while a part of the production line was moved to China. In total, the efficiency of the supply chain has improved a lot, making it possible to produce much more cars than before. Laurens Meyer: “It seems that our factory can produce about 40 to 45 cars this year, but in the end that number needs to rise up to 100 cars in a year.”
This means from now on, many Saker cars will find a new owner anywhere in the world, enabling them to compete in many kinds of racing series and experience a lot of sheer driving pleasure.
The new accommodation of Saker Europe and team Jadbalja Racing.
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E-mail: info@sakersortscars.com