autocross magnetic numbers, where to buy?

[TheStig]

Anyone know a great place where to buy magnetic numbers and class letters for autocrossing at a reasonable price? Thanks

[Greg Phillips]

One easy option is to print your own on the special magnetic paper stock you can get at Fry's or elswhere.
They are 8.5 x 11 inches, which works out fine. They can also be cut to ovals or cut in half if you want to use one for your number and a half sheet for class designation.
Because of my aluminum doors, I just print on regular paper and put in a clear sheet protector and tape on with masking tape. They lasted three days at Fontana in the rain and 130+ MPH and still came off with no residue.

Greg

[TheStig]

Thanks Greg that's not a bad idea! I'll stop at Fry's tomorrow after the Del Mar car show. Are you going to go and check it out too? or anyone off this board???

[Bob Gagnon]

Wouldn't it be nice if Porsche still used aluminum in the body construction!!!

[Kim Crosser]

I got my complete set (2 sets numbers, 2 sets class designations, plus a nice magnetic driver name plate [in script] for the door) for about $105 (including taxes) from Final Touch Graphics ((858) 279-1300). Tim Comeau used to work for them, and I think they still do nice work for magnetic plates. They have a good selection of styles and you pick the colors. You can do it all via fax and then pick up the magnetics in about 5-7 days.

Best of all, I haven't had one peel off the car, and I don't have to use any tape to hold them on. (Just store them with the same front-to-back orientations, so the magnetics don't weaken.)

[kary]

edecals.com is another good one.

[Bob Gagnon]

The number 858-279-1300 is not for Final Touch Graphics but another company which has had the number for a year.

I have used Final Touch for my numbers in March 2005 and the phone number on my receipt is 858.558.1071 which doesn't work either.

Raises question; is Final Touch out of business?

They did nice work, maybe Tim Comeau knows their story.

[Pete Millikin]

Final touch was sold to another company in early 05 and as of then Tim was no longer involved. With the transition ongoing I decided to go elsewhere at the time. Here are some other places that do numbers:

http://www.soloracer.com/graphics.html

http://www.protapesigns.com/racinggraphics.htm

That reminds me, does anyone know who makes numbers for the POC? The style I like has the numbers enclosed in a circle and the bottom of the circle is porsche or porsche owners club in script. I'll post the Q on their website also.

[Carl Scragg]

I can also recommend SoloTime -- fast, and resonably priced. www.solotime.com

[TheStig]

Thanks guys!! Wow what a great deal at Soloracer.com!!!! Can't wait till I get paid! BTW, we need 3 numbers on our cars correct?

[kary]

As I understand the Soloracer.com page, the magnetic numbers do not handle speeds over 100 mph without taping the leading edge. I for one find that annoying and do not have troubles like that with the edecals.com magnetic numbers. Also keep in mind that if you run with other clubs the requirements for quantity of numbers might be different. In POC for example you need numbers on the front, sides, and rear. Class designations are also required, which change all the time either because of rules changes or because you modify your own car.

Just some food for thought.....

[TheStig]

I dont' think I'll be exceeding speeds of 100 mph at Qualcomm. I should be ok.

[kary]

I dont' think I'll be exceeding speeds of 100 mph at Qualcomm. I should be ok.

In my car a 3rd gear pull is 105 mph. The last auto-x I ran, some time ago last year, I got 100mph out of it. Don't under estimate your be 8 cylinder monster, it is possible

[Kim Crosser]

Wherever you get them from, make sure the size is right...

If you are just going to run Autocross and DE events at the Q, 6" high (minimum) numbers are legal. If you are ever going to run Time Trials, 10" high (minimum) numbers are required (per Zone 8 rules). (The rules also say 1" width minimum, which only makes sense if that is the width of the individual vertical strokes [and gaps between] of the digits.) (Speaking for Corner Workers, 10" high digits are MUCH easier to read than 6" digits...)

Note that this drives the size of the overall decal - if you have 3 digits, each roughly 10" x 4" (minimum!), you need a decal that is at least 12" high x 14" wide. If you have 4 digits, then you need at least 12" high x 18" wide. If you get an oval decal instead of a rectangular one, it will probably be at least 14" high x 18-20" wide for 4 digits. If you are ordering a precut oval with 3-4 digits, you should probably get one at least 14" x 22".

As Kary notes, class designations change (ask any 993/996 driver this year who went from M to N or O!). I would suggest getting separate number and class magnetics, so you can change classes without getting new numbers. There is no spec for height/width of the class designation letters, but I suggest at least 5-6" high for readability.

[Bob Gagnon]

Since Final Touch was sold, does anyone know of a good company in San Diego who, like Final Touch, can do custom stuff rather than off-the-shelf designs?

Final Touch had graphics files I had custom created for me by them, now I would like to go the custom route again, hopefully with a company that stays around.