Car Identification

[racermike]

Originally posted by Jakester:
<STRONG>I know I'm biased by years of being an observer, but in the original Penske pictures, it's very easy to tell the cars apart.

The 6 car has the red camera mount, the 3 has the white camera mount. Also, helmets...

But I agree, clearer distinctions would help the average race fan to more easily differentiate team cars with the same sponsorship.

Great photoshop job!!</STRONG>

I agree with Jake, having spent time HAVING to memorize these cars, I concentrate on the small things (wing colors, helmets, camera mounts, etc)

At least the IRL doesnt have those stupid boxes anymore, those things were hideous. (and I have talked to a few crew from different teams that didnt like them - actually detracted from their paint scheme)

[c7]

I think this would be a great way for Marlboro Team Penske to make the cars unique.

[Jakester]

Obviously, my observation skills are better than my typing skills...

[c7]

Jakester posted,

. . . it's very easy to tell the cars apart.

The 6 car has the red camera mount, the 3 has the white camera mount. . . .

Jakester,
I can tell them apart as well but it shouldn't be so difficult.

Did you also realize that your description of the camera mounts incorrect? I guessing just a typo on your part.

Seriously though, I'm not trying to slam you here, this just illustrates how easy it is to confuse the 2 Penske cars.


Nutz4me,

As far as the colored wheels or colored wheel rings, I don't think this would be necessary for all teams. Only those with the "Identical" schemes would have the league requirement of "unique" colored wheels. And in most cases these are the "Big Budget" teams.

Also in my opinion it doesn't have to be the wheels that are unique. It just needs to be More than just the "air intake" or the "helmets" to help the casual fan from getting confused.

[Jakester]

I know I'm biased by years of being an observer, but in the original Penske pictures, it's very easy to tell the cars apart.

The 6 car has the red camera mount, the 3 has the white camera mount. Also, helmets...

But I agree, clearer distinctions would help the average race fan to more easily differentiate team cars with the same sponsorship.

Great photoshop job!!

[Nutz4me]

Originally posted by gofastturnleft:
<STRONG>Whoops, forgot to comment on the wheels. At Test In the West Cheever ran yellow wheels on one car and pink on the other. The numbers were also done this way with the 51 in yellow and the 52 in pink. The cars were easily distinguishable and looked really cool to boot. Everybody could tell which was Eddie and which was Tomas. Until Eddie jumped in the 52 to see if he could go as fast that is. </STRONG>

You gotta remember though, most teams don't like to paint wheels because of cost and its a pain in the a$$ to do them all every week. Especially when you have to start replacing them during the season. Colored wheels look really cool, but I know many owners avoid them like the plague. I don't happen to agree, but I just know that if colored wheels were mandatory some teams (especially the smaller operations) would throw a fit.

[ September 26, 2002: Message edited by: Nutz4me ]

[c7]

THEWALLISMYENEMY posted,

Are you all blind.

. . .

No, but could you honestly read the numbers on all of the cars in that pack in the closing laps at Chicagoland?

At the track . . . OK maybe,

but on television . . . I think not !

As eluded to by ovals rule, this issue is also about helping the "Newbies" as much or more then the diehards.

[ovals rule]

BTW I typically print out the entry list from the web site and make about 15 copies to hand out to those around me who look like they could use a help finding out who is who.

I went to a truck race at TMS a few years back and even with the radio I was totaly lost as I did not know any of the drivers or paint schemes. While the racr was "intersting" I ended up leaving about 1/2 way through.

[ovals rule]

IIRC MIS handed out a line up of cars in numeric order.

I thought this was a very nice touch.
The IRL could even go as far as helping the track cover the expense by having one of the "official sponsors" get a plug.

I would imagine that most who post here do not need all that much help with identifing the cars but we are not the norm. You must think about the guy who has never seen one of them pointy cars before.

[THEWALLISMYENEMY]

Are you all blind.

The larger mandated IRL numbers make following the cars the easiest of any open wheel pavement series.

Now, I wish for the FIA to mandate driver helmets match the cars for F1, and cars must be IDENTICAL, including those little red markings.

That'll learn em.

[NDGator]

Darn, I thought you said Grid Girls,

C7, how much do you charge for Photoshop Tutorials? UDABOMB

[ventman]

Camo

[c7]

top, broken image links repaired.

[ September 25, 2002: Message edited by: c7 ]

[c7]

posted by gofastturnleft,

. . .

How would an inverted paint scheme work on the Penske cars? That would be my ultimate goal.

I considered doing a complete inversion, but that would have alot more tricky, although very possible. I think and inversion would look good. Also I do not believe in this case it would be a very realistic possibility. The inversion would no longer have the Marlboro "White Peak Under Red" design that is thier Brand Identity.

From above the car there are 2 Peaks.


SoDak_IndyFan,
Yes I did retouch Sarah's Walker Car to reflect a possible Smart Blade color scheme.

[Dizz Fan]

I agree with teh wheel color...should the league mandate a wheel disk? Penske used to run these in the 80's. They could match the color of the sponsor. I think the color would add something to the average schlep watching.

And Penske Gil/ HCN are impossible to tell apart...particuarly at 225 MPH. Not to mention the final 10 laps at Indy, I thought Mr. Judd was Paul and vice verca...

Dizz Fan