Every season of GP Originals we created a custom-designed two-stroke themed t-shirt. Between 2017 and 2024, the series was the biggest and most successful post-classic two-stroke racing series for Grand Prix machines of the 1970s to early 1980s in the UK and possibly beyond. As keen racers ourselves, we orchestrated the entire brand identity. We designed and built the bespoke WordPress website and manage a host of social media channels with creative posts about the bikes, riders and a few fun seasonal messages.
Uniquely illustrated retro t-shirts
This example from the 2020 tee was hand-drawn using the iPad app Procreate. This allows us to draw directly on to the screen using an Apple Pencil just like a traditional pen and paper. We go through many versions of these illustrations to arrive at an image that looks right. The image is then vectorised using Adobe Illustrator to make it suitable for screen printing. This means more refining and tweaking. Screen printing isn’t as crisp and fine as litho, so it is easy for gaps to fill in or fine lines to disappear.
Post-classic motorcycle racing theme
We wanted the shirt to have a retro style with some bright colours and vintage distressed effects. We chose an Ash Grey Gildan shirt to be sure the colours remained bright. The reverse of the shirt has a vintage Yamaha styled border inspired by clothing labels and advertising of the 1970s and 80s.
We drew-up stylised circuit maps of the UK race tracks Oulton Park, Donington Park, Snetterton 200, Brands Hatch GP and Cadwell Park. Which the Series’ visited throughout the 2020 season.
The bikes featured in the illustration are Yamaha TZ250 and TZ350. These machines were the most prolific of this two-stroke Grand Prix era and fill the majority of the GP Originals post-classic racing grid today.
Buy t-shirts online in the Spyre online shop
All our racing designs were sent all around the world to racing enthusiasts from USA, Canada, Australia and throughout Europe. Now the racing has finished the t-shirts are still collectable and very popular. As were are regularly asked if they are still available to buy we can now offer every version, printed to order. In addition our online shop has other completely unique designs with motorcycle or music related themes.
