Guages. I think that the reason guages are better rotated so that, say, maximum revs are horizontal is that it takes a perceptible time for my eyes to refocus from infinity to 2 feet and then back to infinity. By having the guages set properly one can sense the position with peripheral vision without having to focus away from the road. So it's safe. Similarly with having a speedo in the centre of the car....in many ways it's better because peripheral vision makes it easier to see.....it has to be big enough though! I also think you do need rev counter info as modern engines cut you off at the limit, they don't give you time to hear things starting to complain before they've wasted a second or two resetting.
That's my old man opinion anyway...:)
Nick