HELP!!! Snowmobile gauges turned sideways!!??

[ABYEAN]

I have seen older sleds like a 97 Polaris 500 indy or a 600 indy triple with there rpm and speedometer guages turned sideways. What does this do? i heard you get a more accurate reading when they are sideways is this true? This is usually on older sleds not on new.

[Dave A]

I know in racing that this is done so that all you need to do is take a quick glance and make sure everything is pointing up (up is pre-set to the desired setting). Therefor if something is not right it stands out faster and less time with eye's on guages instead of the road. Not sure if that applies here though... just one possible explaination