Sponsorship

[Myron Piatek]

In most cases, the sponsor expects a "return" of more value in exposure and business than what they give you. But it's complicated how they figure that out. Some may do it just to be involved or as a tax write-off as well. There are also product & service sponsorships where they provide you with their products and/or service, or a discount on them, in exchange for what you do for them. Financial support is the hardest to secure and keep.

Try to find out what they might expect and show them where you will race at, who and how many people may see the advertising you provide. This can not only include the race track, but also in magazines, live video race feeds, discussing their product/service in online forums when appropriate, YouTube, etc. Find connections between the sponsor product/service and the people you are exposed to. Open trailers can be a plus because many people see the car going to and from the races. But it get's complicated with an enclosed trailer because any advertising on the trailer can attract the attention of the DOT. Then you get into the debates surrounding you being a "business" and the associated CDL requirements, scales, etc. because you are working and advertising for a company for financial gain. It's best to stay low key in some respects. It's obvious that most of us may be trying to make a profit. But the reality is that most won't. That is irrelevant to some by-the-book, gung-ho enforcement officers. But there are understanding ones as well.

IHRA is much more "sponsored little guy" friendly than NHRA because NHRA has a lot of restrictions to what you can display in the pits and on your trailer.


There have been some discussions on these related subjects in the past here.