Blackmore calls the 'Rocket Pink' livery of the Lark McLaren his favorite. (Photo: Courtesy ABD) » More Photos

Blackmore’s responsibilities at McLaren grew, and was asked to play a more significant role as his skills flourished. “I worked on a few road car proposals in the later years, but my focus was F1 race team support. One little project I did was for some very early initial concept sketched for the McLaren F1 2-seater. In those days, we still had Marlboro as a sponsor, but other than the livery, the final product was close to my sketches, although I wasn’t involved in its development. I also worked on some of the Formula One liveries along with other McLaren colleagues. McLaren's graphics department are second to none and I learned so much there.”

Blackmore’s dream had always been to branch out on his own, and after many rewarding years at McLaren, he left to start Andy Blackmore Design and to work for computer games giant, Electronic Arts. He has recently moved from England to Canada which signals a new change of direction. Getting away from a hotbed of Formula One activity also helped Andy return to sportscar design work.

The Audi Sport UK R8 was another of Blackmore's designs. (Photo: Courtesy ABD) » More Photos

“Since I've been in North America, I've really gotten more into the ALMS and Le Mans; its a great spectacle. I'm one of those people who would happily stay in the paddock all day looking at designs. A sportscar is a cleaner form to design and doesn't have all the wheels, suspension and barge boards to get in the way. You would be surprised how many livery proposals I have created with the brief 'like the Gulf livery but with these colors.....' A few have seen the light of day like the actual McLaren Gulf liveries and the Audi Sport UK livery of 2003. I think I have explored every color combination with that design!

“I get to do work for teams in a lot of different categories – the Audi SportUK Audi R8 for Le Mans was a favorite, in British Touring Car with the Halfords Peugeot 307 team which included some bodywork design, a Holden Monaro in the British GT championship and a lot of vehicle styling drawings for teams like Creation and such. I stay rather busy, but this is what I love doing.”

Andy has the distinction of designing the most McLaren F1 GTR liveries--14, and holds one of those designs above all the liveries he’s penned.

“One of my favorite designs is the ‘Lark’ cigarette livery which the Japanese McLaren F1 GTR's wore from 1996. This was a tough design to complete. Lark wanted to use a bright color, but their pack was red. Bright red was out as it was associated with sister brand, Marlboro, so we went with 'Rocket Pink.' I can’t remember where the request for Dark Grey came from, but that was mandated. As a designer, I must admit that these are two colors I’d never even considered to use together. I don’t think anyone would combine them.

Concept liveries and sponsor proposal artwork are other ares of Blackmore's expertise. (Photo: Courtesy ABD) » More Photos

“I had produced a bunch of McLaren F1 liveries and many used the surface lines that run almost horizontally from the side, so I decided to mix this up for Lark, using the near vertical shutlines. We had over 50 different designs by the end. It’s regarded as one of the favorite McLaren liveries by many, so I'm pleased with that. I do remember a Japanese customer wanted an entire F1 painted in the rocket pink. Luckily, he changed his mind before the car reached the paint shop!”

Blackmore’s work also extends into the world of creating important (but private) sponsorship proposals for racing teams. “I do everything from big poster boards to portfolios with renderings they provide to potential sponsors. They never see the light of day, but they serve their purpose behind closed doors. This can be as simple as photoshopping logos onto an existing livery to a full blown design, right down to letter heads and team logos. There’s not a lot I don’t design…”

With an impressive roster of companies, clients, and designs he’s been involved with, Andy has taken up creating the aforementioned “Spotter’s Guides” as a way to practice his craft while giving racing fans a free tool to help aid in following their favorite form of motorsport.

“I started off doing these Spotter’s Guides a few years ago in the UK for BTCC fans. This year, they have grown to include F1, WTCC, BTCC, Le Mans and the ALMS. The ALMS came about because I am a fan and I've become involved with a few bits of design for John Hindhaugh and Radio Le Mans. By using the assistance of a few insiders to stay on top of all the driver, team, and car design changes, I can ensure we have an up to date accurate Spotter’s Guide for each race.

They have proved incredibly popular and I've had requests to do other series, but there are only so many hours in the day and they take a long time to produce. I also produce individual versions for sponsors and teams which can be used as a great VIP/Marketing give-away. ITV, the television company that shows the British Touring Car Championship in Britain, use my cars from the BTCC Spotter’s Guide for their grid graphics. I suppose you will see those on SPEED this fall when you air the 2008 championship.”

And his various Spotter's Guides -- especially the ALMS Guides, are indispensable tools for fans to use to follow the series. (Photo: Courtesy ABD) » More Photos

Blackmore looks to the ALMS as the next major series for his work to find a home. “The ALMS is in an ascendancy and now that I'm in North America, its become a real focus of mine. I check the news site every day and I hope to get more involved in the coming years. I have to leave my work in Europe behind a little and focus on my future in North America.”

If he had the opportunity, Blackmore would love to start by getting his hands on a current ALMS livery and rework the design a bit. “I'd like to have a crack at the Porsche. I don’t associate Porsche with yellow and red, but since DHL pays the bills, they might not let me put my touch on the cars…”

Learn more about Andy and his work at www.andyblackmoredesign.com

Andy’s free Spotter’s Guides are available for download at www.spotterguides.com