Logo for established automotive community and blog website

We have an established social networking site geared towards automotive enthusiasts that needs a new logo. We're looking for something subtle yet sharp, modern and engaging. We have an established history here at 99designs and always award and pay.

READ THE ENTIRE SPECS DOCUMENT VERY CAREFULLY WE HAVE TRIED TO GIVE GOOD SPECIFIC GUIDELINES SO NOBODY'S TIME IS WASTED.

vadriven

The logo should be easily identifiable as being related to automotive... butit shouldn't use any obvious elements of cars that stands too far our.  Weneed an equal balance of focus on the community, automotive, and the state ofVirginia as the site is locally focused. But this must all be subtle. Take alook at logos for Winding Road, Autoblog, and motoyen (designed here). We arevery much fans of minimalist design but it must be SMART and CREATIVE.

-Modern, subtle and simple yet smart

-Minimalist design

-Needs a symbol/icon and clean text use

-Logo needs to be relevant for a wide range of carenthusiasts

-Ideas to use: wheels, tires, tire tracks, roads, car parts,steering wheels, shifters, pedals, tools, gauges, speedometer/tachometer, gearsetc. *subtle use of parts* IF that’s what you decide

-Not saying you SHOULD use any of the above… just a startingpoint to think of what kinds of lines to use

-Can also focus on the community aspect … web 2.0 socialmedia thinking

-Try and find a way to make VA stand out but notoverbearingly all font should be the same size

-Be creative with using the lines on VA to make it stand out

-Clean typography (think web 2.0)

-Use subtle design elements like shadows/gradients

-TWO color schemes … one that matches a blue blackground andone for a dark/black background

-no outlines of the state of Virginia

-no full outlines of cars (can be very subtle if only using specificlines of a car)

-no checkered flags

-no identifiable logos, emblems of established car brands

-no glossy/chrome looking type/elements

-no wings or flames or other cheesy atypical “carguy” elements

-no real pictures/stock photos of anything