Hey guys. I have raced in the past but never had much luck with the sponsor part of it. Was looking to get back into the Enduros, Money not the greatest at this time. Was woundering if anyone had any good tips or if this is even a good time to look for sponsors?. Thanks to anyone that maybe able to help out. If not I will still bethere to watch.
Bandit
Delaware offered how to get and keep sponsor seminars last year for paid up NASCAR members. Are they doing that again? Did anyone go to the seminars last year?
I find its all about who ya know. Also the best time to search for sponsors is before the year is over Sept-Dec. That way business can work sponsorship into their budgets and write it off. unfortunatly, its slim pickins right now cuz of the economy and other bullshit
The economy is making it really hard (or at least, that's what everyone who's turned us down has said.) We had it pretty good when we raced in North Bay, but that was in the 90s and people had tons of money to throw around--and my parents knew EVERYONE.
We're still kind of dead in the water unless we find a significant sponsor between now and May--I've had lots of businesses support us with services, in particular Edgy Graphics doing all of our vinyl, but in terms of actual money, it's being a tough deal over the last year to scrounge ANYTHING up.
I think I have a pretty solid method though, the same one we used up in North Bay that DID have lots of success--most of it was repeated in Delaware's Sponsorship seminar last winter, I don't know if they had one this past winter or not, but it was excellent information. Do up a proposal, much like a resume, detailing your team, your history, a little about the racing at Delaware, and a list of benefits the sponsor will receive if they support your team (VIP night at the track, name on the car, name announced over the PA and in interviews, the car available for gatherings at the business, etc etc)... Also make sure you do a custom cover letter for each potential sponsor to catch their attention, just like a good resume. Always stress what YOU can do the sponsor--stress that this is a marketing opportunity that WILL help grow their business, not just "hey, help out of a race team." And as I mentioned above, if the sponsor in question can't provide cash, see if they can help you out any other way--graphics, marketing, apparel for the pit crew, parts, tools, etc...
you not going to be able to make it again this year John? God thats gotta suck for your sponsors that are on your car!! Sponsoring a car that wont make it to the track, how do you explain to them?? ::) ::) Thats not good! that would also make it hard on you for getting sponsors for the following years. People knowing that the car had sponsors and didnt show up kinda making a bad name for yourself.