WINNER RACETECH COMMENDED : BRITISH GAS TRANSCO GOLDEN WONDER CAPTAIN
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CARGO Designing an eye-catching livery on a small truck or light van should, in principle, be
y easier than tackling a 16.5m artic. After all, with less room around it the message should come across easier.
But judging by some designs you'd think that's exactly what some companies were trying to avoid.
After seeing all the entries on screen the also-rans were quickly discarded and then the judges got down to looking at a handful of very different short-listed contenders.
In the end it came down to three: Racetech Racecourse Technical Services; Golden Wonder; and British Gas Transco, Each had its strengths—and weaknesses—as the judges were only too willing to highlight.
While our panel felt the British Gas Transco design was well-executed with a high-quality feel to it, Peter Barrow summed up the collective feeling: "It's not very exciting...the sides work very well; not least as it's a vehicle that could work in a dangerous area. But they've done nothing to the front of the van. They could have at least repeated the logo." Rob Wilcockson agreed: "It's let down by the back...and the front. Even police vehicles and ambulances have logos or signwriting on the front" Golden Wonder's Mercedes-Benz Luton van was certainly eye-catching, although the choice of dark blue as a base colour means it will have to be regularly washed in order to maintain its impact. The FTA's Geoff Dossetter noted: "That blue is so strong you almost expect a driver in a blue uniform to get out But blue lends itself to getting dirty."
"For a crisp packet it's quite a classy livery," thought Wilcockson, "It work's well." Barrow agreed: "It's neat and conveys a message...they're obviously the corporate colours. The back's good too."
But it was Racetech's attractive green-and-white design that generated the greatest praise.
"It's a very smart livery," felt CM's art editor Steve Gale. "And the thing I really
like about this is how they've used the Tote symbol. Even though the cab colours don't extend to the roof it still works. It's not hard work when you look at it." Barrow added: "That's a pretty good livery...It's a vehicle that works in its environment. It's an awkward vehicle but it's consistent. The colours are nice, and it tells you what it does."
Wilcockson backed that up: "It's one of those vehicles that, although it stands out, is very clean. That's a nice use of the Tote circle too-1 like the way it comes out of the wheelarch." Dossetter summed up: "It's classy and gives a feeling of racing as an upmarket sport." With those comments there was no doubt which would be first past the finishing post—Racetech.