Does a Race Car need to look good?

[mollytherocker]

Simple logic would deduce that it matters not.

So why are many race winners gorgeous? I have a theory that it just might matter quite a lot really;

1 - Attracts sponsors?
2 - Driver is attracted and therefore is more willing to drive around failings?
3 - Mechanics love it - Say no more!!
4 - Media and fan support.

What do you guys think? Is it important? I cant think of a winning minger!

MTR

PS - Feel free to add some colour with pictures!

[jains15]

I'm sure I read somewhere once an old Aero designer's saying - we're talking before 1950 era designers.

"If it looks right, it'll fly well"

Doesn't neccesarily work with cars (as in the good looking ones are fastest), but certainly the better looking racers catch the imagination

[Matt Harper]

Apparently not......

[mchammer89]

I think it's more a case of the things that make a car fast (a low-wide profile, a nice slippery shape, low profile tyres etc.) makes a car look good as to an extent, we know the things that make a car fast or are associated with fast cars.

[Corpulent Tosser]

Form often follows function. As was said above, if it looks right it probably is.

Clearly there are exceptions.

[FamilyGuy]

Metro 6R4. Not even its mother would find it attractive. Or are we just talking track racing? There have been some painful on the eye bits of F1 car over the last few years - mostly noses and wings.

[matt3001]

Not really, one of my favourite designs liverys of a modern F1 car was the 7up Jordan 191! Stunning.

But then the Sauber C9 looked epic and went just as well.

[Eric Mc]

No.

[h5lrw]

All the "pretty" cars I have built in the past haven't won as many races as those that have been less aesthetically pleasing.

[RustySpanner]

It only appears winners are pretty because they're remembered. Loosing cars always far outnumber winners so unless they are spectacularly good looking they get forgotten.

And to quote one of the classic F1 sayings
"They're only pretty when they win"