Daytona represented a good-news, bad-news weekend for AO Racing.
Bad news first. While both cars–the No. 77 GTD Pro Porsche 911 GT3 R and the No. 99 LMP2 Oreca-Gibson–were in contention for almost the whole race, the Porsche finished eighth in class, while the other car came home in sixth.
The good news? Saturday evening, less than a third …
The livery is cartoonish–and that’s a compliment–resonating with kids and therefore adults who are pleased their children have found something to connect with in the motorsports world.
This one resonates with me big time. It's been really awesome to share motorsports with my kid.
I'm trying hard to be patient and do it slowly–I want to make sure it's something she participates in because she likes it, not because it's something I really like.
I was in the media center when those cars crashed near pit-out.
The camera zoomed in on Rexy as it was stopped on the track.
There was a loud boo from the room.
Then the announcers noted that Rexy has simply stopped to avoid the wreck. A moment later, the car started to move forward.
Yay, exclaimed the media center.
It’s amazing what some graphics can do for a car.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Don't discount the impact of the person wearing an inflatable dino costume next to those graphics on the grid walk!
In reply to wae :
Oh, yeah, the total effort is stellar.
My 5 year old daughter, who usually ignores the various racecars that are frequently on TV in the living room, was pretty interested in spotting Rexy and Spike.
The cars are very cool, distinctive, and fun (which we need more of). The hotwheels variants are impossible to find and re-sold online for several times their retail price.
I do wonder how the financials of the team work with what appears to be no sponsorship. Is the wealthy team owner just lighting money on fire by the millions? There's no way you're selling enough merch to cover even the tire bill for the Daytona 24.
In reply to CrashDummy :
Looks like setting money on fire. The owner was the co-founder of GitHub and cashed out when Microsoft acquired it.
My buddy Nathan crews on that Porsche. Next time I see him, I'll tell him how everyone is crushing on "his" car.
j_tso said:In reply to CrashDummy :
Looks like setting money on fire. The owner was the co-founder of GitHub and cashed out when Microsoft acquired it.
Race cars don’t run on gas, or electricity or some other fuel. They run on money.
j_tso said:In reply to CrashDummy :
Looks like setting money on fire. The owner was the co-founder of GitHub and cashed out when Microsoft acquired it.
Think of all the people employed and being able to live good lives off all that cash being burned. Its not curing cancer but its also not burning down the rain forest.
That's what I'd do.
"The way to make a small fortune in racing is start with a large one."
Back in '86 when we had a IMSA Firehawk 'team', we called it turning money into noise. Didn't last long.
Yeah, his take from GitHub was around $1bn. At that point you have an unceasing money fountain that is tough to spend as fast as it grows if you have it in any reasonable investments. Guy like that, I'm sure he does. He could spend $40 million a year and still have the pot grow, on average. I'm sure the racing team is no drop in the bucket of that $40mm but I'm sure you can make a hell of an effort for a lot less than that.
Oh, I forgot to even address the cars! It's totally great to see them done up in fun liveries. I hope more teams take note, racing is fun and should look it.
Did the livery work on me? I think the jury's still out on that question. 
I love the liveries, especially the graphics on the team transporters. At the Rolex 24 hour, there was always a crowd around the garages, and lots of caps and hoodies being worn by fans. When we went up in the stands to watch the start, a couple sat down directly behind us that were wearing green dinosaur suits and Rexy hats. I think it's great that they are doing something fun that's making people interested in sportscar racing!
MauryH said:Back in '86 when we had a IMSA Firehawk 'team', we called it turning money into noise. Didn't last long.
I’ve heard the jet engines on private planes referred to as the same thing.
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