Paint your wagon
The art of rallycross colour schemes and liveries
by Rallycross World |
What colour should that racecar be painted? For the amateur racer this can be a question of painting the car the same colour that they have had all their cars, ever. Or just choosing something that other racers are not using.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_187-8725_IMG.jpg)
At the other end of the scale for the professional race team with corporate partners to oblige, getting that colour scheme right is now a task that involves designers, approvals, contractual considerations and managing the brand guidelines of each partner. And within all of that, there is the obvious need to create a livery that is eye-catching, that stands out from the crowd and wins the heart and minds of fans.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_2016_01_POR_BLOCK_102.jpg)
We’ve dipped into the archive to find some memorable examples of liveries we like, and those we think get the commercial job done.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_LC1_1120](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_Kumpen-Steukers-Maasmechelen-1988.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Schanche_Sweden_1991](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_Schanche_Sweden_1991.jpg)
![FIA European Rallycross Championship, 1/10, Lydden (GB) 11-13.04.09](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_TW_L0273.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_88-GP-with-Tiff-Needell.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_WillGollop_Valkenswaard_1992](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_WillGollop_Valkenswaard_1992.jpg)
For what it’s worth we think that John Welch was a pacesetter in this field; he always needed commercial backing to go racing and became supremely adept at finding and retaining partners. A relatively simple red, white and blue colour scheme evolved over a number of years to accommodate different brands and new cars.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Welch_Gibson_Hathaway_Brands_271283](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_Welch_Gibson_Hathaway_Brands_271283.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Welch_EscortZakspeed_1984](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_Welch_EscortZakspeed_1984.jpg)
![](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_John-Welch_Ford-Escort-MkII-Turbo_Brands-Hatch_GBR-08.04.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_John-Welch_Ford-Escort-MkIII-4x4-turbo-Xtrac-Escort_Lydden-Hill-GBR_26.08.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_John-Welch_North-Weald_20.04.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_John-Welch_1_Cadwell-Park_08.11.jpg)
In the 21st century there can be few better at this balancing act between commercial necessity and creative desire than Ken Block. His Hoonigan Racing cars tick all the boxes; they are striking, standout and yet still deliver on the corporate front.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_2017_01_SPA_BLOCK_101.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_2016_01_POR_BLOCK_101.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_2016_05_NOR_BAKKERUD_303.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_2017_01_SPA_BLOCK_203.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_2020_01_SWE_PE_BLOCK_127.jpg)
Through his long and successful career, Kenneth Hansen was able to maintain a long relationship with Citroen, and his Supercar featured a gentle evolution of the livery.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche, Kenneth Hansen_2](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche-Kenneth-Hansen_2.jpg)
![](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche-Kenneth-Hansen.jpg)
Subaru’s classic blue and yellow livery is iconic and was interpreted perfectly in rallycross by Subaru USA.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Subaru](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_YIO_2238.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Subaru](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_LC3_6946.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Subaru](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_LOU_9833.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Subaru](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_YIO_2254.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_Subaru](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_LC1_1120.jpg)
Occasionally there is also the opportunity to play fast and loose with colours and partnerships. In the 2019 ARX season Steve Arpin had a different livery on his Loenbro Racing Fiesta at each event.
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_LOU_0889.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_LOU_5051.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_2019_04_CAN_ARPIN_307.jpg)
![Rallycross World | rallycross liveries, colour schemes, John Welch, Ken Block, Will Gollop, Martin Schanche_](https://rallycrossworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rallycross-World-rallycross-liveries-colour-schemes-John-Welch-Ken-Block-Will-Gollop-Martin-Schanche_YIO_3370.jpg)