So i'm sure i'm not the only one who wonders how some of you guys get sponsored on here. I know some of you are just representing your own shops but i'm sure there are some that aren't. So how do you go about getting sponsored?

hope i don't get flamed for this thread but i've always wandered about it. I know that not everyone who has been sponsored has money oozing out of their pockets when they first start out.

 

I've been thinking about that too....

 

You have think about from the sponsor's point of view. How will sponsoring this person benefit me or my company? Is this person a good representative of my company? What kind of exposure will this person provide for me or my company? Sponsorship is a two way street and it's not all about what I can get out of this or that company. If you have that kind of mindset, then you won't be sponsored very long. Of course being successful on the track and having an established reputation doesn't hurt either. It's not an easy task securing sponsorship(s), it takes a lot of hard work and desire. More times than not, sponsorships come in forms of % off of parts or free or discounted labor.

 

I understand completely what you are saying. sponsorship is a means of getting a company's name and parts advertised.

I'm just wandering how one goes about doing it? I'm guessing that getting more local companies to sponsor a car/team would be easier and a means to start representing for someone

 

A good start is using companies that offer contingency programs. Use those products to build a track record. Be professional, promote those products to people who ask about your car, most of all work hard. Sponsor dollars arent all about winning every event(that helps though), it is about being a person others buying the products see at events working hard to put on the best show they can.

 

im looking for one two, since i got into import since 94/95. I have a 97 integra 1st owner off the car from the dealer and putting money evrypay check to paychek. till now 2010. Im doing ok for most part still race the car summer time, looking forward to do 9's 2011. Street car full interior.

 

Main thing as mentioned earlier is putting yourself in the shoes of a sponsor. Do you have what it takes to provide a return on their investment. Will their assistance benefit them in some way.

What most racers make mistakes on is expecting more than what they deserve. Don't expect a company to do more for you, it is your job to do more than they have given you. In the long term, you may get more than what you expected and continuous support.

Keep in mind, sponsors, REMEMBER, THEY WATCH what is going on out there, they SEE all that you do, and they HEAR of what you say and you don't say. That can determine if they want to approach you or even consider giving their assistance to you, before you even come up to them.

As far as getting in contact with sponsors, its all about networking. Building a relationship before even asking for assistance is a good thing. Its very difficult to ask out of nowhere to sponsors that have never even heard of you. Even if you're one of the top dogs in the game, it doesnt mean a sponsor will chose you over another racer that may not be the top out there, who has built a relationship with that sponsor much stronger than you. Main thing is to just be out there, be seen, network and build relationships, show a great attitude, present yourself well, and have the drive that shows youre a good investment for a sponsor.

 

You have to be marketable. Being a woman helps too.

But in all actuality, hardly anyone is really sponsored in the sport compact community anymore. They might be getting some parts, and deals on things, but a full blown sponsorship doesn't really seem to exist anymore. Short of a few race teams that still exist, and I would imagine they are still pulling a lot of money out of their own pockets as well.

Being that there isn't any televised series, nor a series that draws in giant crowds, plus the economy being the way it's been, companies aren't going to waste money on it right now.

 

I couldn't agree more!

 

I got sponsored straight off the bat by MyOwnPocketsRacing!!

I love them, they don't expect more of me. no more than i expect of myself!!

They are super loyal, and pay for ALLL my parts in FULL!!

So hugeeee thanks to MyOwnPocketsRacing!!

 

Visa, mastercard, american express and so on are always willing to sponsor haha

 

First and foremost, build your car and get out there and prove yourself. Expecting a sponsor to help you with your build with dreams of actually racing and going fast won't cut it.

 

x2 You gotta pay your dues before you can expect anyone to start shelling out money or parts just because you offer to put their sticker on your car..

 

Very well put

I also think a lot of people are also confused on what a sponsor ship really is, I know we've had a few people come in and ask and most of them think its just about getting free parts. Nothing is free, if the companies see's thats the return might be there, they'll usually just lower the price a little bit more.

 

Yes thats if they already know you a bit too. Thats already if you've build a relationship to begin with.


I'm in a position to sponsor people and help out in discounts. the company I represent has helped tons of people that are on this site for many years. Alot put in their support and appreciation but MANY forget who has helped them on their way. I see thank you threads, I see chances certain racers could have put in their input and backed up our products. Theres others that do put in the work to mention our name, but SO OFTEN, I dont see our company name mentioned in those thank you threads when we went out of our way to provide a great discount to that racer. You see who's loyal and who's willing to jump ship just because someone gave them a better deal. LOYALTY is a big deal in choosing who to sponsor.
The reason its harder to get "sponsored" is because of the many other racers that have burned companies. The ones that take and dont give back. A company that wants to work with a racer has to really pick and choose who is worth it to work with. So be that one that puts the extra effort in supporting a company, whether they have given you anything or not. In the end, that support goes along way and you will be remembered when the time comes that they are willing to help and you maybe needing that assistance.

 

What some of the people don't know Is that they are sponsoring most of the companys out there for free cuz some of them by parts from a company and they put their sticker on the window now that company is being sponsored for free by you. If u see any stickers on my car it's just because there doing something for me or there won't be any even if I use their parts I see alot of car at the track full of sticker just to let people know that they have those part on there car now those company don't need to sponsor u.

 

In a way you're correct, and shows your loyalty to the ones that helped you out. But at the same time, you're closing yourself to other opportunities that can possibly be presented to you.
Let's say a company is watching racers out there and wants to help someone out or use them in promotions, etc. If 4 cars all have the same part from that company, of all the same caliber in performance, and 1 guy has a sticker on the car of that company just for the hell of it and you dont. There's a HIGH possibility that you will get passed up on potential sponsorship opportunities. Having that sticker on the car also shows loyalty, even before there was even support for that guy. So for a marketing person of that company, that stands out and puts that racer on top of the list. Everyone has their own way of thinking about it, but as part of a marketing staff, I know thats what we look for.

 

+1, Plastering a look at me list just pollutes your free space. If the decal is on my car, it means they have actually done more than made the part that i use.

 

Not speaking for all... in most cases:

With the economy the way it is, absolute free part sponsorships is more in the past...

You are a good current customer, who has purchased in the past from the Co. You have a really good platform and build and is unique. You have the drive to stay on the top and make sure the car and build is quality. You take the time to preach others how the product you have from the Co. is definetly a great product and why from experience.

Partial part sponsorship could possibly happen then if the Co. see's potential and you are choosen through the process... The Co.'s name on the car with decals/stickers would be a must. A lot of smaller Co's that aren't doing products in the masses, just cannot give pure funds and free parts. So don't feel bad or expect a lot when a Co. does give you a partial product sponsorship discount instead of free parts.

Just like a lot of Honda/Acura car people... Smaller Co's have families and kids, sometimes things do get slow... What keeps me going, speaking for my self...

Is making a darn good product that is USA built and keeps abay a Chinese Knock Off Failure part that you will never get good service, support or replacement parts...

-John ESP

 

I have been in the game for only a few years and I thought the same idea.

1) build a car with YOUR OWN MONEY PERIOD.

1A) when buying parts try to buy them from a reputiable place and continue to purchase from them as much as you can and build a relationship with them and suggest them to others.

2) you need to meet smart people and friendly people that you can learn from and get proper advice from.

3) and most important get to the track and RACE,RACE,RACE. No company is going to ASSIST you if they can't see there logo or decal out there. I would wait a few years before you try to get sponsors.

People that you see have full or partial sponsors have put lots or time in work in Sport Compact Racing and have shown and proven themselves and there still spending there own money to get parts.

 

Both are GREAT points...

If someone is really helping out. You don't want their decal/sticker to be overlooked by another (just because you want to "show off")...

On the same note, i understand that limits you as far as scouting goes, but really, how many companies really go out an scout?
.............................

The way i look at it... Build your car, go out and race, prove yourself (this dosent mean to go out and WIN everything, sometimes a GOOD showing is good enough to get noticed). And the "sponsors" will come-ah-knocking!

Nothing is worse than getting "sponsored" to build a car that never produces, or your driver mod is out of sync!

The " sponsor" will have a bad taste about trying to put a good foot foward to help a potential racer after the bad experience. And im sure the dissapointment as a racer to not uphold your end of the bargin will not sit well with you either (if you have morals).

 

This was definitely some of the info i was looking for. I've had people reply to my build thread saying that I would have to be sponsored to go as fast as I'm wanting with my car but I don't believe that at all. I know it'll take time and patience to make my car what I want. But I like knowing that I paid and built my own car.

The car market around my area is small and very few if any sport compacts race at the tracks near here so sponsorship from companies would b difficult I know. I was just wanting to get what opinions from the racers who are running those fast times and their take on sponsorships

 

1) buy good knee pads
2) have tonsils removed
3) eliminate gag reflex
4) profit

or so I'm told. Gotta pay to play.

 

Plus , you don't want to get "sponsored" by a company and have that feeling of "they own you and your car"...

I used to ride BMX, and i felt obligated to do shows and demos in some shitty situations just out of the guilt of the "help" i was getting, or contracts, etc.




DO IT ALL FOR FUN AND FOR YOURSELF... YOU'LL SAVE $$ ON YOUR PSYCHIATRIST BILLS!

 

sponsors are smarter now a days, they dont need to pay someone to advertise for them, forums, magazines, and great customer service does it, plus there are plenty ricers out that loves stickers, there you have it. contingency is where its at, especially for a person like me who spent myself broke to build my car and getting robbed in the process by a potential sponsor. the only thing a company can do for me now is give me great deals to maintain my car, or pay me at a race event to display their logo, best thing about contingency is after the event you can remove the stickers.