Posted (05/28/2008) -
When Joe Nonnamaker started racing in the 1970's, his helmet featured an arrow coming up over the top of the helmet. The arrow, he joked, was to remind him which way to go on the track. As the years went by, he went through several other designs; and then as his sons, Will and Wayne, began to race in the mid-1990s, they both chose to design the arrow theme into their helmets as well.
"The Arrow design has transpired to embody the 'always moving forward' mentality of the Nonnamaker family. Our family races together, in business together, our houses are all on the same block." Iterates Will Nonnamaker, "And through the years, we have collectively moved forward together. Taking on new challenges, and then looking forward to the next opportunity to take on."
The family is a long time Grand American competitor, and currently races with Team Sahlen. Joe & Wayne co-drive in the #43 ROLEX GT class Corvette. Will co-drives with Joe Sahlen in the #42 ROLEX GT class Corvette as well as the team's #43 KONI ST class Mazda RX-8.
Joe's Helmet
Joe's helmet features the distinctive colors of Yellow, Blue and Red; the three major colors of the race cars that Joe has raced throughout the years. And across the back is the name Joe, in a shadow design, just to remind those whose helmet it is.
"Wayne and Will assisted me in this current design evolution of my helmet. My first design was an all blue helmet, with dashed arrows. I even tied in that design with an arrow on the roof of my Rabbit that I competed in the VW Cup series of the 70's. I like this latest version that Tony Lechner created." States Joe
Wayne's Helmet
If your first impression of Wayne's helmet is that it looks like Captain America, then you are not alone. In fact, Wayne's All American helmet has turned a few heads in the paddock.
"I always wanted a patriotic helmet, and tying that theme into a helmet with an arrow was challenging. This latest version that Tony Lechner came up with that has the blue background with the white stars really brought the whole design together." Comments Wayne
Will's Helmet
"The Columbia blue with the gold trim are the colors from alma mater: Bath High School. And black with the gold flakes symbolizes endurance racing into the night. All of my professional racing has been in endurance style racing. Whether that is the 24 hours of Nelson Ledges, or the 24 Hours of Daytona, I really enjoy endurance racing." States Will, "I have had this same basic design since 1993. I painted one of my original helmets. While painting it, I did learn one valuable lesson; wear a good mask! I felt like I was"
The Nonnamaker family's helmets were painted by Tony Lechner of www.Lechnerracingdesigns.com . Tony also painted Joe Sahlen's helmet. Lechner Racing Designs are not cluttered but elegant, and as individual as the driver. A race fan knows instantly who's helmet it is by the distinctive design. Lechner Racing Design works to develop and produce a product as individual as the person using it, with the goal of making the driver instantly recognizable.
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