Comprehensive history of "Jake" skull w/ pics
02-27-2009, 05:40 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Comprehensive history of "Jake" skull w/ pics
So Ive seen many threads relating to "Jake" and where he came from and I put together a compilation of information and pics to document his rise to fame. This should clear up everyones questions.
Enjoy
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In 2004, Team Corvette members used skull icons along with the slogan “Take No Prisoners” to symbolize their mentality during the 24 hour endurance race. Designer Eddie Jabbour of Kick Design attended that race and saw the inclusion of this icon into the team atmosphere which prompted him to put together a more specific design. Jabbour scribbled the Corvette flags on a cocktail napkin and drew a skull around it, and upon the teams acceptance of this unofficial mascot, “Jake” was born. It was a former NYC cop, Gary Claudio, who gave the Racing Skull Mascot the name "Jake".
The logo first officially appeared on the b-pillar’s of the Corvette C6R’s at the 2005 LeMans race, and was later featured on team uniforms, crew shirts, and driver helmets before blossoming into an entire clothing and accessories line sold by BadBoyVettes.com.
The Jake mascot represents a continuous “Take No Prisoners” attitude that the Corvette Racing team embraces. In 2006, a larger version found its way to the right front bumper during the Petit LeMans and Laguna Seca races where it stayed to this day. Identical versions were added to the rear bumper. The only change is the C6R eurostyle typeface changed to an italicized version in 2008.
Going into the final race of 2007 (Laguna Seca), the Corvette Team had clinched the championship. To celebrate this success, one race special paint schemes were designed with large “Jake” logos on both sides which covered the cars sides from top to bottom, and on the hood. The #3 and #4 cars were negative images of each other, each with a flip flopped color design design from the other.
"We wanted to do something special for Laguna Seca, and the guys on the team are totally behind Jake," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "He's a little edgy, urban, and underground. Young fans get it. The special Jake cars are a one-time only deal, just for fun, to make the last race of season memorable for the fans."
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In 2008 the “Jake Scrape”, a continuation of the bottom end of the “Jake” skull worked into a front to rear racing stripe, was born. At the Detroit race that year, another large Jake skull found its way into the C6R hood within the waterfall heat extractor.
A different version found its way into a major design of the Corvette C6R’s hood paint scheme at Laguna Seca in 2008. This one race scheme replaced the “Jake Scrape” with a wide black stripe with silver outer stripes. Within the black stripe on the hood was a large silver “Jake” skull. This design later became the basis for nearly identical vinyl graphics on a limited edition production 2009 Corvette Z06.
The “Jake” logo also made it onto another GM production vehicle as standard equipment when it was added to the top of the air intake of the 2009 Corvette ZR1. Chief Engineer Tom Wallace saw the crossed flags on the ZR1’s supercharger along with the conventionally placed ones on the nose and the intake snorkel he balked at the 3x arrangement. His solution to honor the ZR1 connection to its racing roots and replace one set of flags with the embossed Corvette Racing skull.
Enjoy
-----
In 2004, Team Corvette members used skull icons along with the slogan “Take No Prisoners” to symbolize their mentality during the 24 hour endurance race. Designer Eddie Jabbour of Kick Design attended that race and saw the inclusion of this icon into the team atmosphere which prompted him to put together a more specific design. Jabbour scribbled the Corvette flags on a cocktail napkin and drew a skull around it, and upon the teams acceptance of this unofficial mascot, “Jake” was born. It was a former NYC cop, Gary Claudio, who gave the Racing Skull Mascot the name "Jake".
The logo first officially appeared on the b-pillar’s of the Corvette C6R’s at the 2005 LeMans race, and was later featured on team uniforms, crew shirts, and driver helmets before blossoming into an entire clothing and accessories line sold by BadBoyVettes.com.
The Jake mascot represents a continuous “Take No Prisoners” attitude that the Corvette Racing team embraces. In 2006, a larger version found its way to the right front bumper during the Petit LeMans and Laguna Seca races where it stayed to this day. Identical versions were added to the rear bumper. The only change is the C6R eurostyle typeface changed to an italicized version in 2008.
Going into the final race of 2007 (Laguna Seca), the Corvette Team had clinched the championship. To celebrate this success, one race special paint schemes were designed with large “Jake” logos on both sides which covered the cars sides from top to bottom, and on the hood. The #3 and #4 cars were negative images of each other, each with a flip flopped color design design from the other.
"We wanted to do something special for Laguna Seca, and the guys on the team are totally behind Jake," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "He's a little edgy, urban, and underground. Young fans get it. The special Jake cars are a one-time only deal, just for fun, to make the last race of season memorable for the fans."
In 2008 the “Jake Scrape”, a continuation of the bottom end of the “Jake” skull worked into a front to rear racing stripe, was born. At the Detroit race that year, another large Jake skull found its way into the C6R hood within the waterfall heat extractor.
A different version found its way into a major design of the Corvette C6R’s hood paint scheme at Laguna Seca in 2008. This one race scheme replaced the “Jake Scrape” with a wide black stripe with silver outer stripes. Within the black stripe on the hood was a large silver “Jake” skull. This design later became the basis for nearly identical vinyl graphics on a limited edition production 2009 Corvette Z06.
The “Jake” logo also made it onto another GM production vehicle as standard equipment when it was added to the top of the air intake of the 2009 Corvette ZR1. Chief Engineer Tom Wallace saw the crossed flags on the ZR1’s supercharger along with the conventionally placed ones on the nose and the intake snorkel he balked at the 3x arrangement. His solution to honor the ZR1 connection to its racing roots and replace one set of flags with the embossed Corvette Racing skull.
Last edited by DBR9 KLR; 03-01-2009 at 05:33 AM.
The following 4 users liked this post by DBR9 KLR:
02-27-2009, 06:08 PM
#6
Successful Plumber
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
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As a designer, I have to think that's about the coolest thing that could ever happen to a napkin sketch.
Guys like me live for things like that to happen.
Guys like me live for things like that to happen.
02-27-2009, 06:18 PM
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
This truly is a designers dream. A very simple logo that takes on an entire clothing line, cups, hats, business card holders, and is a recurring design that seals its sell-ability. AND it gets pickedup by a major manufacturer for use on production vehicles?
I could retire off the residuals haha
I could retire off the residuals haha
02-27-2009, 06:22 PM
#10
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very cool writeup.
02-27-2009, 06:31 PM
#11
Racer
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Edit chevrolet-racing-corvette-c6r-closeup-main.jpg so that it doesn't break tables.
That way people don't have to scroll over to read all the text which is annoying. Other than that....good write up.
That way people don't have to scroll over to read all the text which is annoying. Other than that....good write up.
02-27-2009, 08:07 PM
#15
Team Owner
Thanks for sharing, very interesting.
