What's the deal with the Jake Skull?
12-27-2010, 06:56 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
What's the deal with the Jake Skull?
OK, I may regret putting this out there but here goes: What's the deal with the Jake Skull? I dont get it. Am I missing something?
12-27-2010, 07:03 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
I recall reading that it's likeness was sketched out on a napkin by one of team Corvettes members .Other members liked it and the rest is history. IMO must be the Grim Reaper thing, seeing that coming at you in the rv mirror of your Porsche.
12-27-2010, 07:43 PM
#11
Race Director
12-27-2010, 07:53 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Jake originated from Pratt & Miller Racing. We visited P&M with the Corvette Pace Car Registry reunion last September and they explained the story. Here is what I remember…
Pratt & Miller is responsible for the C6R Racing program. A semi driver came up with the idea of “take no prisoners” when they started to win a few races, and started to draw a pirate skull and crossbones and place them in strategic places on race day. He then had some skull and crossbones decals made, and started randomly placing them on various parts of the race car before the race. It was meant as a camaraderie building exercise to underscore the “take no prisoners!” sentiment and turned out to be a good luck charm for the team.
The C6R Marketing department thought this would be a neat marketing idea and started with the skull and crossbones concept. A couple of the marketing people “sketched on a napkin” a skull concept using the pirate skull, eliminated the crossbones, substituted C6 flag logo for the eyes, and “Jake” was born.
Pratt & Miller is responsible for the C6R Racing program. A semi driver came up with the idea of “take no prisoners” when they started to win a few races, and started to draw a pirate skull and crossbones and place them in strategic places on race day. He then had some skull and crossbones decals made, and started randomly placing them on various parts of the race car before the race. It was meant as a camaraderie building exercise to underscore the “take no prisoners!” sentiment and turned out to be a good luck charm for the team.
The C6R Marketing department thought this would be a neat marketing idea and started with the skull and crossbones concept. A couple of the marketing people “sketched on a napkin” a skull concept using the pirate skull, eliminated the crossbones, substituted C6 flag logo for the eyes, and “Jake” was born.
12-27-2010, 08:29 PM
#14
I had no idea where it originated either because I never watch the sort of organized big money corporate sponsored "racing" that spawned it.
From the beginning I've thought it to be juvenile ( aka childish ) and not something I'd want on a car as classy as a vette. But, then again, I'm an "old gummer" now to use the phrase of another member here. I remember a time when people did very few mods to their brand new vettes....apparently, somehow, they were "satisfied" with the cars the way they were built.
That attitude must baffle many younger owners today. But now we have cars that look, to me at least, like cartoons ( the new Camaro ). I owned a number of first gen Camaros and they looked classy IMO. The current one is hideous IMO. But, it's all driven by marketing. Marketing either follows trends or creates them to suit the company purposes.
I'm getting really curious to see what the C7 looks like. I'm not optimistic. The C6 has gotten almost cartoonish itself.
From the beginning I've thought it to be juvenile ( aka childish ) and not something I'd want on a car as classy as a vette. But, then again, I'm an "old gummer" now to use the phrase of another member here. I remember a time when people did very few mods to their brand new vettes....apparently, somehow, they were "satisfied" with the cars the way they were built.
That attitude must baffle many younger owners today. But now we have cars that look, to me at least, like cartoons ( the new Camaro ). I owned a number of first gen Camaros and they looked classy IMO. The current one is hideous IMO. But, it's all driven by marketing. Marketing either follows trends or creates them to suit the company purposes.
I'm getting really curious to see what the C7 looks like. I'm not optimistic. The C6 has gotten almost cartoonish itself.
12-27-2010, 08:37 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Blastphemy! 
12-27-2010, 08:45 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
FYI ufso, I did perform a search and did not find my answer. Thats why I put up the post. Now I have my answer. I still dont care for the looks of the "Jake Skull" but at least I know more about it. Why do people feel compelled to instruct others on performing a search? Why take the time?
12-27-2010, 08:48 PM
#18
Race Director
FYI ufso, I did perform a search and did not find my answer. Thats why I put up the post. Now I have my answer. I still dont care for the looks of the "Jake Skull" but at least I know more about it. Why do people feel compelled to instruct others on performing a search? Why take the time?
12-27-2010, 09:10 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
FYI ufso, I did perform a search and did not find my answer. Thats why I put up the post. Now I have my answer. I still dont care for the looks of the "Jake Skull" but at least I know more about it. Why do people feel compelled to instruct others on performing a search? Why take the time?
Last edited by ufso; 12-27-2010 at 09:15 PM.