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There was a post recently in regards to a "sponsorship resume". I just figured I'd make a general post on sponsorship and some items about it. This info is frm the net and from my own personal views.

Q. WHO do you know.

A. 75% of the time, sponsorship comes out of WHO you know.....not what you've done,or how great you are. Generally it's friends who work or own a company that don't mind a tax write-off to help a friend. That, or a business has an advertising budget they feel is filled with "vehicle" sponsorship.... WHO you knows, generally takes years of hob-knobbing...... cavorting with Motorsport types, OR being a pretty female who knows how to aggressively market herself. I'm not being sexist...but it's true. (look at Girlie Girl Racing....... they get better coverage cuz it sells magazines.)

Q. WHAT do you know.

A. What kind of racing and marketing knowledge do you have. If you're going after major bucks....your racing venture better be a business. Big time corporate sponsors won't sponsor a back-yard racing venture. You HAVE to market yourself to your prospective sponsor....and have the ability to back it up. (both in professionalism, equipment, and SKILL) WHAT can you offer to a potential sponsor. Bottom line.....what do you have to offer ? Look at this deal from "his" side. What am "I" gonna get if I put my name on the side of this fellow ? Are you a front runner ? Are you willing to do car shows, trade shows, industrial shows, photo shoots, mall displays,...or does your racing have T.V. coverage !!! That's killer important. Is your team professional, do they have full matching crew shirts, pants, and shoes.....does your tow-rig and trailer look professional, and clean. Are you a good "spokesperson" for this company ? Bottom line, what can you offer for his money or service or parts ?

Q. WHERE will you show and race your car

A. Again, as to the above statement....the sponsor has to know what series you are going to run, and how often, and numbers of "his" customers are going to see his name on the side...and associate your car with his name. "Oh yeah...the red white and blue Molson sponsored little 240SX......... I remember that car." WHAT have you done that makes you....as a sponsor seeker interesting to a sponsor Again, have you won championships...titles.....accomplished something. This fills your resume a LOT easier when you've been a multi regional/national winner, and have track records and shots of podium wins etc.... Why would a sponsor want to help the last place guy all the time ?

Q. WHAT kind of sponsor are you looking for

A. This determines how serious you wanna chase a sponsor. If it's just for labour; ie: tire swapping, alignments, muffler work, polishing etc...that's a little more casual...and may entail a small cover letter, and sit-down at lunch to feel that shop out if they are interested. Going after cash ?....that means intros, resumes...proposals...interviews. Unless you have a package that BEGS for sponsor names..(ie: if for instance John Force lost Castrol, and needed a sponsor.....I"m sure Pennzoil or Quaker State would be sending a team to Force's shop instantly to try to snag such a prize....) There's lots of books out there on sponsorship....... and even agencies that specialize in Motorsports sponsorship....... but it can be beneficial to both parties if it's done right.

Q. WHOM should you approach?

A. Anyone who many have a connection to the pocketbike industry. This can include dealers, distributors, websites, fuel companies, oil companies, safety equipment companies and more. All of these types of companies have an interest in seeing their products being used. Of course winning sells more than anything, but just the name exposure in many cases is enough to warrant sponsorship.

Q. WHAT is the difference between a major and a minor sponsor?

A. A minor sponsor could supply you with free oil for a sticker on the side of your helmet. We're talking small rewards for a little bit of exposure. But they're going to do this with a dozen drivers which overall wil get them a lot of exposure. A major sponsor can supply you with a new motor and parts or even a complete race-ready bike and technical support. This type of sponsor is going to expect you to do well in races and will expect to get the majority of the side of your bike with their name on it.

Q. WHAT type of schedule should I have

A. This shouldn't even be a question. The answer is be there for every race, even if you're broken down. The sponsors are paying you for the exposure.

Q. WHY won't they sponsor me? It's a tax writeoff.

A. Since so many people have very little understanding of how business taxes work, I will explain as best I can. A tax writeoff is a deduction on income. If a company makes $1000 for the year and they have a writeoff for $200 then they only pay taxes on the $800. However you must understand that they do not receive a tax refund for this $200. Most businesses and self employed people do not pay into income tax weekly like people with jobs so at the end of the year there is only a bill to pay. So this is not free money, it is money the company has earned and is taking out of their pocket for you.

Q. CAN I have more than one sponsor?

A. It depends on the sponsors. Many sponsors will make you sign an agreement that says what you must do, and what you cannot do. Read the details in your contract, and if you don't understand them then take it to a lawyer!

Q. WHAT is a contingency?

A. A contingency is defined as something that must be prepared for or simply put, a possibility. A contract could have a number of contingency clauses. These could be from fines to not showing up at events all the way to rewards for being first in class or points totals.

I hope that answers a lot of possible questions users may have. Feel free to expound on my thoughts and ideas.

This article was written by Bruce Peresky for pocketbikeforum.com. Copying is permitted provided you give credit to http://www.pocketbikeforum.com

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