I think we can all generally agree that the rapid increase in technology—particularly the desktop computer—has made society better in almost every way. Sure, maybe we’re all too buried in our phone screens, but the societal benefits of all that increased computation have made our medicine, our education, our entertainment, our jobs.. on the whole: faster, easier, more enjoyable. I have yet to find, however, a single example of a contemporary track map that is better designed or more engaging than those created by draftsmen hunched over a table with a pencil and a bottle of ink.
This example of the track map for the Palm Springs road races of 1952 is an excellent example. Would a contemporary track map designer sketch in these gorgeous little illustrations of the cars lined up on the track? Would a contemporary designer playfully wrap the typography of the turns around the contours of the map? I doubt it. I’m glad that Stan Parker signed his name to this masterpiece so we can thank someone specific. Thanks, Stan.
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0 replies on “1952 Palm Springs Road Races Track Map”
I have yet to find a track map better designed than those created by draftsmen with a pencil. http://t.co/TEdGv1zItb http://t.co/F9RKuynbCn
Agreed. The double drive from the tower to the smoke tree bends is McCallum Way. Today the site seems almost the center of town (the Convention Center is now along the left side straight.) This was the 4th Palm Springs and the same course was used for nos. 2 & 3 though the program maps may look a bit different. My Dad, who raced in all of them, said the first track, in 1950, was further from town, but his memory may have failed him there. I watched the March ’52 event from the smoke tree bends, which were laid out across former military concrete circles. Most of the rest was regular two lane road. It would be nice to find some aerial photos of the area from the 50s. VARAs vintage races of the 90s were in the same area. MJ
RT @TheChicane: I have yet to find a track map better designed than those created by draftsmen with a pencil. http://t.co/TEdGv1zItb http:/…
RT @TheChicane: I have yet to find a track map better designed than those created by draftsmen with a pencil. http://t.co/TEdGv1zItb http:/…
RT @TheChicane: I have yet to find a track map better designed than those created by draftsmen with a pencil. http://t.co/TEdGv1zItb http:/…
Ummm…no. We cant all agree ; especially vis a vis those damned ‘phones’.
Society seems to be sliding downhill rapidly, ‘education’ is a joke and computers ofetn complicate simple jobs. Granted, all this isnt the fault of the desktop, but I’m betting some of it is…
Cool track map.