Tobacco-like liveries, allowed or not?

[Partime_Racer]

Hi All,

Wasn't sure what section to ask this, so thought there might be some racers that have experienced or tried this...

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge as to the views of Motorsport UK regards race car liveries that resemble the old tobacco liveries?

Tobacco related advertising is banned on all cars and support vehicles etc as per 27.1.6 but what if a livery resembled an old tobacco style one?

If the words do not say the tobacco brand but look a bit like it, is that a definite 'not allowed'?

This is not a period race car.

[Mike Harte]

I am more than happy to be corrected on this, but as far as I am aware only that type of livery is permitted, as an exemption, on cars that had that livery in period, for example the JPS Lotuses. However, other cars such as the old Dave Brodie "Run, Baby, Run" Escort had a similar paint job which resemble the JPS cars but without any promotional wording, and that would be allowed.

[Partime_Racer]

Yes, that's right. As I say, mine is not of the period but coincidentally I would like to do a JPS 'style' livery on it.

[Mike Harte]

I would imagine that that would be OK, as I believe that the Brode is currently restoring his Escort - I say that, but it has been in the works for a couple of years, and none of us is getting any younger.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I would imagine that that would be OK

I'll second this. Plus we have now smart panties playing with the rules, BASTOS becoming BAST?S (BMW 530 ius) and GITANES becoming GI!!!!! (Viper). If you like your car painted black with gold stripes, why not? Out of curiosity, which period and grid targeted? My Capri was originally Black with gold stripes and never ever anyone asked me to change anything (driver apart!).

I found this for you, sometimes awarded as best presentation car of the race: https://jimbarclay.nz/jps-bmw-635csi-group-a/
You'll see that JPS becomes John Player&Sons https://classiccar.co.nz/2018-1-15-j...athurst-event/

[Adam43]

It was a few years ago, but I did a faux Silk Cut livery. Using the blocks for letters that they used in 1991.

[Gerard C]

I think it can be done again, using everything as per period just have to turn Silk Cut into Silk Cat and Bob's your uncle.

[andrewc]

There are a couple of single seaters in Marlboro red and white, with some black stripes to signify Marlboro letters

There was one with Lucky Strike livery and the driver was asked to remove the lucky strike letters, but they were happy with the rest of the livery.

If its historically important and can be tied to that particular car, then you can argue to run the full livery.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by andrewc

If its historically important and can be tied to that particular car, then you can argue to run the full livery.

Yes and no. Some years ago it was mandatory to have either the colors of your choice or a fully identical perdio correct livery*. Then the instances had a look to historic grids and could see a lot of Belga, Galia, Gitanes, Lucky Strike, Marlboro and others racing. All went wrong with too many tobacco related liveries and someone thought about the new international rules. From what I see, only Goodwood in this part of the world don't bother with this.

In all fairness it took ages to some, even posting on here, to spot that a well known 530 was not Bastos but Bast?s (already said).



* We have a bloke running a 635 known as "the Texaco" who had to replace some stickers because they were judged too small, too big or not at the right place when applying his HTP.

[GCCheddaris]

Here are a few shots from the 'Convoy On The Plain' meeting at Thruxton in July 2022 which shows how some of the Classic Touring Car Racing Competitors have interpreted the rules regarding tobacco sponsorship and a few others as well.

[Gerard C]

Brilliant, thanks. Even the models market is affected: https://www.voiture-miniature.com/li...j-laffite.html
Sometimes you can find a model already painted but at least one missing letter is included in the box. Sometimes not!

[Partime_Racer]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

I'll second this. Plus we have now smart panties playing with the rules, BASTOS becoming BAST?S (BMW 530 ius) and GITANES becoming GI!!!!! (Viper). If you like your car painted black with gold stripes, why not? Out of curiosity, which period and grid targeted? My Capri was originally Black with gold stripes and never ever anyone asked me to change anything (driver apart!).

I found this for you, sometimes awarded as best presentation car of the race: https://jimbarclay.nz/jps-bmw-635csi-group-a/
You'll see that JPS becomes John Player&Sons https://classiccar.co.nz/2018-1-15-j...athurst-event/

The car is a ‘modern’ formula car (built about 8 yrs ago) that is raced in a current championship. I will post some pics of it at the first championship meeting of 2024 in a few weeks. We intend to use our surnames instead of the John Player bit (I share the car with a friend) so it sounds like we should be OK.

This is reassuring as it will be quite a chore to design and print all the decals.

Thanks for everyone’s replies.

[andrewc]

Motorsport UK's regulation

27.1.6. Tobacco related advertising is prohibited on all
competing vehicles, their support vehicles and any other form
of equipment directly connected with an entrant or competitor.
As an exception to this any car which can be proved by way of
its history, through its chassis number via the FIA or Motorsport
UK Historic Vehicle Identity Form (HVIF), to have run in a
particular livery will be allowed to continue to display that
livery in the same colours and original size of logos.

I know someone who ran a single seater in JPS livery, with Just Plain Sexy in lettering.