Vehicle wrapping and graphics are commonplace in mainstream motor racing, but also play an important role at youth level in the sport – as shown here with this fantastic example courtesy of Nettl Crewe & Nantwich and Mimaki.

The Cheshire-based print service provider offers a wide range of print services, from screen printing, web design and business stationery, through to wide-format printing and high-end vehicle graphics.
 
Its experience of the latter saw it take on a job for Maxwell Dodds Racing, the organisation backing 15-year-old Max Dodds as Great Britain’s latest motor racing superstar.
 
Driving since the tender aged of just four-years-old, Dodds is currently preparing for his first season in the Ginetta Junior Championship. This highly competitive series is regarded as a feeder event for GT, Touring Cars, Formula One and other high profile motorsport events.
 
As part of the preparations, Maxwell Dodds Racing tasked Nettl Crewe & Nantwich with wrapping its Ginetta car to ensure it stood out and captured the attention of viewers during high-speed races.
 
Nettl Crewe & Nantwich opted for AERO Sustainable Paint Technology, a vehicle wrap product manufactured in the US that was originally developed for use in the aerospace industry.
 
According to AERO, the adoption of its product by the automotive sector brings advantages to alternatives for wrapping and decorating vehicles in that AERO, as a film-based paint, is highly durable, 50% lighter than traditional sprayed paint and easy to apply.
 
Nettl Crewe & Nantwich used its Mimaki UCJV300 LED UV printer to print the design, which featured a range of sponsor logos and branding.
 
Mark Jones, managing director of Nettl Crewe & Nantwich, said the Mimaki UCJV300 was a suitable choice for the job due to that fact it run LED UV cured ink, which allowed for overprinting of the design directly onto the material.
 
“The breadth of the Mimaki UCJV300’s capabilities is one of the reasons it’s such a popular solution and we’re pleased to see it become an important part of Nettl’s print capabilities,” Reader said.
 
Jones also reflected on the use of AERO, saying the material is up to 17,000 times tougher than regular paint, making it an ideal solution for use in vehicle graphics work within the motor racing market.
 
“AERO is finding real traction in the motorsport sector,” Jones said. “From a local motocross outfit, to Max as an up-and-coming racing driver, right through to Le Mans and F1 teams, we’re seeing multiple advantages of choosing AERO as the means of applying colour, branding and livery.
 
“With its strong eco-credentials, we’re also experiencing good take-up from environment-first businesses with large fleets of liveried vehicles who want a long-lasting, PVC-free wrapping solution.”
 
Dodds said he was delighted with the outcome of the wrap, saying that the enjoys working closely with his engineering team to ensure the car looks the part and performs well during races.
 
“I like to be involved with the team and have an input, and the new AERO film has made a difference not just to how the car looks, but in how it drives,” Dodds said.
 
“I’m excited about the 2021 season, racing across the UK and getting behind the wheel of the new car. I’ve learnt over the years to take it one race at a time, and having such a great looking car that’s already performing so well is a big confidence boost to the whole team.”
 
Jones from Nettl Crewe & Nantwich added: “We wish Max and his team well with the coming season and eagerly await seeing the livery on our TV screens this summer.”