"HNBAS" (HNBAS)
09/01/2016 at 23:22 • Filed to: None
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"HNBAS" (HNBAS)
09/01/2016 at 23:22 • Filed to: None | 0
| 8 |
I don’t like asking for free stuff. I’m against all the GoFundMe car pages and the people on Facegram asking for parts in exchange for likes and shares. That being said, I race now. I campaign a Spec Miata in the NASA Midsouth region. In addition to that, I run my STi all over a couple SCCA Regions to autocross, and I’ve prepped an AW11 for rallycross.
I don’t want free stuff, but these three cars (and the tow rig) need parts, constantly. Do you just blatantly send companies e-mails, or call, or (in this golden age) facebook messsages? Do they give free parts or just discounts? I don’t want to ask for the moon.
For instance, the STi needs new coilovers or a serious rebuild. How do you propose that you’d like help to these companies? I guess I’m just worried about coming off too casual and not being taken seriously, or too formal and somebody thinks I’m full of it.
Any help would be appreciated. Or tell me
E92M3
> HNBAS
09/01/2016 at 23:52 |
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You’ll have to email their marketing department with a well written letter on what it is you do. Describe how you will help promote their company, how investing in you will benefit them.
Ex: “In return for your support I will place a decal of X size on my race car. I attended all 12 spec Miata races this year. Not only will you get coverage at the various tracks, but my car is hauled xxxx miles a year on an open trailer. Your company will gain exposure to tens of thousands more people.”
CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
> E92M3
09/02/2016 at 00:13 |
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Nah you can just do this
RallyWrench
> HNBAS
09/02/2016 at 00:52 |
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Both Mazda and Toyota have contingency programs for amateur racers, you might look into that. Otherwise, put together a little portfolio of your accomplishments and goals, and pick businesses you think might benefit from any exposure you can give them. Unless you magically find a sugardaddy, you’ll need to show the potential for ROI. That could be photos of your car in their advertising, having your car at their facility for a promo, the generation of other business, etc.
Most of the time in amateur racing “sponsors” just means people who give you a discount for their name on the car. Best thing to do is start locally and make contact in person. Eye contact and a good handshake are still good tools that most people nowadays don’t seem to have.
When you’re at the track, network. See whose names are on competitors’ cars, it might give you ideas. Be ready for lots of (hopefully) polite rejections, but keep at it. Finding people to give you money to burn gasoline and tires in this day and age is only getting harder, you have to be prepared to demonstrate why you’re worth the investment. It’s the side of racing that sucks the most but conversely can have the most impact.
Echo51
> HNBAS
09/02/2016 at 02:26 |
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http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl… might be a useful article
tacogx
> CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
09/02/2016 at 02:49 |
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that’s pretty cool lol
nermal
> HNBAS
09/02/2016 at 08:53 |
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The easiest method is if your dad owns a successful business with some extra cash to blow. Just ask him for $$$.
If that doesn’t work, you need to establish a racer’s resume. You do this by entering races and winning.
Once you have that built up, get ready to do some sales. What type of business would benefit the most from having their sticker on your car? Car dealer? Tire shop? Tuning shop?
Think from the other perspective. If you ran a tire shop and some random person called and asked you to sponsor their amateur race car, what would they have to say to make you agree to it? Perhaps check with all of the places you buy stuff from as a start.
fennelbreath
> HNBAS
09/02/2016 at 09:04 |
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I once had a sponsored car, but it was show, not racing. It’s actually a pain in the ass, lots of communication and back and forth and negotiating. It takes time to work out deals with sponsors and takes even longer for them to follow through on their end.
Start small. Start with people you already have relationships with. I got better leverage out of existing relationships, even though it was a different scenario (approaching companies that already advertised with the site I was working for).
I’m also going to echo what someone else said — Mazda is really great about supporting amateur racers. The company has establishes programs for it. Of course, there is a lot of competition for those dollars but it’s still well worth looking into.
Good luck.
SloWRX
> CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
09/02/2016 at 14:40 |
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you realize that’s fake right?