Are any of you guys sponsored?
Originally Posted by jmark
John are there any pics of your damage from VIR?
I'm sponsored by StopTech. By sponsored, I mean that I work my **** off to build the business, and in return I get cheap brake pads to burn through on the track! 
Seriously though, if you want to sponsored you really need to show a company something out of the norm. For example, we recently did an install of our new 6 piston brake calipers on an R34 Skyline, and it was filmed for ESPN. I got to talk about our products on TV, talk about brake technology, etc. Because of the builder, and the uniqueness of the car, I'm also sure that the car will be in a dozen magazines, including covers. That's the kind of exposure that the top companies are looking for.
If you take your car to the local Wal-Mart show once in a while, and you go to drivers eds and autoX, that's nothing out of the norm vs. our normal customers. In fact, that's exactly what we expect our customers to do.
The bottom line is, you have to be unique, and in most cases, you have to have some confirmed media coverage (a must with our company). I always talk to the magazine editors that plan to feature the vehicle, etc., to make sure the person is legit.
Also, don't expect freebies from good companies. The best companies don't have to give product away. I have people call me all the time and say, "but R*@&#A offered me a free brake kit." Well, if that's the product that you want on your car, then take your freebie and be happy. People are willing to pay for the best. Top pro race teams buy our product and win with it, so why would we give it away to the 'regular' guy on the street, who most likely won't be on Speed Channel plugging our product every week? We're not trying to be arrogant, etc...it just doesn't make any business sense!
We literally look at 6-10 proposals EVERY DAY. They range from pathetic to outstanding in terms of presentation, and in terms of the quality of exposure and the vehicle itself. To catch my attention, it has to be unique, it has to tell me what exactly we will get out of it, and it has to be a sure thing (confirmed coverage).
Hopefully that gives you a little perspective from the other side of the fence.
Seriously though, if you want to sponsored you really need to show a company something out of the norm. For example, we recently did an install of our new 6 piston brake calipers on an R34 Skyline, and it was filmed for ESPN. I got to talk about our products on TV, talk about brake technology, etc. Because of the builder, and the uniqueness of the car, I'm also sure that the car will be in a dozen magazines, including covers. That's the kind of exposure that the top companies are looking for.
If you take your car to the local Wal-Mart show once in a while, and you go to drivers eds and autoX, that's nothing out of the norm vs. our normal customers. In fact, that's exactly what we expect our customers to do.
The bottom line is, you have to be unique, and in most cases, you have to have some confirmed media coverage (a must with our company). I always talk to the magazine editors that plan to feature the vehicle, etc., to make sure the person is legit.
Also, don't expect freebies from good companies. The best companies don't have to give product away. I have people call me all the time and say, "but R*@&#A offered me a free brake kit." Well, if that's the product that you want on your car, then take your freebie and be happy. People are willing to pay for the best. Top pro race teams buy our product and win with it, so why would we give it away to the 'regular' guy on the street, who most likely won't be on Speed Channel plugging our product every week? We're not trying to be arrogant, etc...it just doesn't make any business sense!
We literally look at 6-10 proposals EVERY DAY. They range from pathetic to outstanding in terms of presentation, and in terms of the quality of exposure and the vehicle itself. To catch my attention, it has to be unique, it has to tell me what exactly we will get out of it, and it has to be a sure thing (confirmed coverage).
Hopefully that gives you a little perspective from the other side of the fence.
When you say fully sponsored what are you asking? You first need to be clear, are you looking for sponsorship for a raceprogram or a showcar? Like JRitt said, companies are not linned up to just throw product at people. You need to spend some time and answer some questions like what do I need the sponsorship for? What can I give the sponsor in return? What are my goals? You need to have clear plan that not only you understand but also a potential sponsor. You also need to figure out what you can give a sponsor that no one else can.
I have been racing for going on 9 years now and I can tell you it is possible, at least in racing, to get support from companies in the form of free product, substatially reduced cost on product and even plain money. I have delt with a number of companies and have been fairly successful at getting sponsorship, but it is a lot of hard work, a lot of luck, a lot of knowing someone who knows someone..., and a lot of being in the right place at the right time.
Good Luck.
I have been racing for going on 9 years now and I can tell you it is possible, at least in racing, to get support from companies in the form of free product, substatially reduced cost on product and even plain money. I have delt with a number of companies and have been fairly successful at getting sponsorship, but it is a lot of hard work, a lot of luck, a lot of knowing someone who knows someone..., and a lot of being in the right place at the right time.
Good Luck.
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