Login Register Sign up for the GRM e-newsletter

Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » AutoX Reg Sticker and Cone kill Sticker Feedback Needed
  • aircooled

    May 5, 2010 4:56 p.m. aircooled SuperDork

    My local club is running two autoX's again this year at Camarillo airport (that's north of Los Angeles) and I will be creating some registration / run stickers for the entrants. I am hoping to get some feedback on the designs in terms of practicality. These AutoX's are purely for fun, so no SCCA rules need to apply.

    The two reg sticker designs (put on the windshield when the car is teched) have cones that can be marked off for the runs. The second one has space to write the run time. I am wondering if putting space for the time is practical. We usually use stickies as most do. This would require a rather sharp pen (the stickers are about 2.5' x 1'). Of course there is always the problem with the times not getting out quick enough, but that can always be a problem. This way people can see what cars have done what even if they don't look at the results board. Of course some may not be as proud of their times as others...

    I also created some FTG / FTD stickers that can be placed below these stickers, coded by group color. These of course may not ever make it to the car, since you need to find the car after the runs, but I think people might appreciate these.

    Another idea is Cone Kill stickers. These are not actually stickers, they are static cling vinyl. These should be fun, but might be a bit harder to apply in time. The work pretty well on windshields and can be rubbed on pretty quick, but storing them for use might be hard. The will work on paint (for the traditional below the cockpit position), but need to be put on wet then dabbed.

    There is of course the "Ace" sticker (hopefully there will not be a need for many of these):

    Here is the flyer with the info on it in case anyone is in the area on the dates. As I said it's just for fun.

  • itsarebuild

    May 5, 2010 5:05 p.m. itsarebuild Reader

    i like the first windshield sticker better. mostly because it has more run opportunities on it!

  • turboswede

    May 5, 2010 6:49 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

    I really like the idea of writing your best time on the car, sort of like drag racers do.

    Not sure it would work in that small a space though. Might make sense to put a longer strip along the bottom edge of the sticker that way the time won't be so squished and you can still mark off the runs, etc.

    Perhaps the FTG/FTD stickers could be handed out at the awards ceremony or have the track announcer have the winners come up between runs and pick them up themselves (since everyone runs to the board to check their times anyway)

    I do like the cone-kill stickers, pretty cool. Perhaps mounting them on magnetic sheet would work better?

    Just some thoughts....

  • aircooled

    May 5, 2010 8:49 p.m. aircooled SuperDork

    hmmm... magnetic. I should try some of that bumper sticker paper, see how that works.

  • RedS13Coupe

    May 5, 2010 9:37 p.m. RedS13Coupe Reader

    I think it was PCA, not you guys... but one time one of you used regular shipping decals... HUGE pita to get off the windshield.Fortunately my car is enough of a beater that I just scraped it off most way and left it, but if possible something designed to come back off would be nice.

    I am still hoping to make it to at least one of the events, its an awesome group... but no job and living in Pomona now makes that a bit harder then it was before. I would REALLY like to steal our schools Formula Hybrid car for the event, but I don't know if I could talk the rest of the guys into driving that far for "testing". (Also not sure the damn thing would pass tech :P )

  • CLNSC3

    May 17, 2010 5:41 a.m. CLNSC3 Reader

    Very clever idea with those stickers. I can appreciate the effort because I own a business that does custom garments as well as signs, stickers, banners etc. I do both magnetic and static cling stickers for motorsports use. I like to make 100% sure my products are quality before I sell them to my customers. I have personally tested the static cling on paint at 130+ mph and had no issues with them coming off, also drove around with them on my car for 2 weeks where they were exposed to plenty of crappy weather and high speeds.

    They sell static cling material with varying levels of "cling." As long as you use the highest rated material you should have zero problems with them coming off regardless if they are on the windshield or paint. The brand that I am currently using was discontinued, so I hope that I can find material that works just as well.

    Magnetic material is great too. I have also tested the hell out of the magnetic material that I use and have had zero problems. The only drawback with magnetic decals is that you can only run them on the body, and people w/ corvettes are E36 M3 out of luck!

    I am not sure if you own a sign shop and are printing these yourself, but I would be happy to give you some tips on the materials that work best for me. I have done a lot of research to ensure I only use the high quality, best performing raw materials in my business. I have had zero complaints about either my magnetic or static cling decals!

    Good luck with the project!

    Josh

  • sachilles

    May 17, 2010 9:12 a.m. sachilles HalfDork

    Our clubs static cling club logo is done in reverse so it clings to the inside of the window. Keeps it out of the elements. It's a problem for folks with tint, but the tint laws in the state don't make a huge problem for us.

  • mad_machine

    May 17, 2010 10:26 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

    I like the idea of magnetic cones you can attach to the car. Use a dry erase marker and you can write times on them too

  • CLNSC3

    May 21, 2010 12:17 a.m. CLNSC3 Reader

    mad_machine wrote:

    I like the idea of magnetic cones you can attach to the car. Use a dry erase marker and you can write times on them too

    They actually make dry erase vinyl that would be perfect for that application!

  • aircooled

    May 21, 2010 11:02 a.m. aircooled SuperDork

    Times in the cones, that is an interesting idea. I am a bit concerned that people will think the cones are so cool they will go out looking to hit a few (!).

    Regarding the static cling cone stickers: I am using the standard (no adhesive) style and they seem to work great! If you put them on paint by wetting the paint first, they stick VERY well. They will not fly off at any speed, and a friend even put his car through an automatic car wash with them on, and they didn't move. They also of course leave NO residue and are very easy to remove. I am very impressed with them personally.

    CNLSC3: I am using laser printable material I got from http://www.papilio.com/ The only real issue is cutting the damn things out, which is a bit of an effort. I guess I could cut them square, which would be a LOT quicker, but does not allow as many stickers per sheet and may not look as good, I will have to experiment. Have you seen any laser printable magnetic material?

    One problem with the static cling style is that I don't think there is anyway they could be applied (wet) fast enough to be used as cars come off the course. This is where magnetic would be easier.

    The other thing that is unfortunate is that you cannot print white on a standard laser printer, which of course would be a very useful in most case.

    In terms of looks I don't think the magnetic will come close. The static cling ones look so seamless, I cannot imagine an improvement. I am also pretty sure the magnetic will be more expensive and I have not found any laser compatible versions. I am not very confident about the longevity of ink jet printed ones. I have some laser printed stickers (old speed shop repros) that I have had on my car for a long time, with almost no signs or wear.

    The AutoX is this Sunday, so I will have some pics and let you know how everything worked out.

 
Tire Rack- Revolutionizing Tire Buying

You'll need to log in to post.