Need Help Getting a Race Car Sponsor

KPOJ · 10-06-2009, 07:14 PM

Hey Guys,

Ive been building a race car for the past 18 months, its getting very close to completion so its time to think of company's i should approach about sponsorship...

The car is a hyundai excel sports sedan which is full space frame.
Fastest sedan class in australia...

Any ideas?

Cheers

MITCHAY · 10-06-2009, 07:41 PM

Maybe send some emails or phone some performance parts places. That's what I would do. An Excel is pretty unique in the field of racing so you might get some bites with that alone because it would stand out I reckon.

KPOJ · 10-06-2009, 08:00 PM

Here it is...

KPOJ · 10-06-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Maybe send some emails or phone some performance parts places. That's what I would do. An Excel is pretty unique in the field of racing so you might get some bites with that alone because it would stand out I reckon.

Cheers mate

Bmobile · 10-06-2009, 08:11 PM

You are basicly selling advertising on the car, so it is what exposure you can give the company involved.
Think of where your car will be spotted and who will see it, and pick a company that see these people as their target market.

Sell it to them as a business oportunity and do up a proposal of what you can give them for the $'s / support your after.

Be prepared for many many knock backs but keep at it. You may have to approch 100 busineses to get one that is interested.

Poorboy_racer · 10-06-2009, 08:21 PM

My mate races a rail type dragster. From his experience. Get a proposal together. Namly, some photgraphs of your car with sponsor logo space on it. Spell out exacly what they will get: ie for $1000 you will get a 500 x 500 logo on the side of the car and the trailer for one full season of ? races. Try to get some idea of how many people are likely to see the logo and what they may get out of it. Any TV coverage is good. Target companies that have some realation to the sport first. Car places etc, but you will find most of they already sponsor someone or race themselfs. Exhausting them look for a new retail shop opening and get in there first. Be enthusiastic....look what I can do for you... sort of thing. Get your company seen etc. If you cant get money try and get your fuel sponsored, tyres, oil etc it all adds up even the decals end up costing a fair bit and sometimes its easier to get goods rather than money. Talk with your accountant about self sponsorship (it is possible). Its not easy but persitance pays off. Good luck.

KPOJ · 10-06-2009, 08:36 PM

^^^

cheers mate, i should start making a proposal...

their will be tv coverage so hopefully that appeals to a sponsor a bit more.

KPOJ · 10-06-2009, 08:58 PM

No more suggestions.

If it helps i live in melbourne.

Poorboy_racer · 11-06-2009, 12:20 PM

Take some photos of the tracks you will be racing on, preferably with lots of people watching the racing. Explain size of feilds ie there will be at least ? cars on the track at any time. If you have any racing experience spell it out. If not, explain you are a newie and very enthusiastic. Always make your car and yourself presentable. A clean car and set up go a long way. Hope this helps a little.

GTP owner · 11-06-2009, 01:01 PM

you will also need to provide some evidence of competition history, and the meets, championships etc that you have won. They will also want to see your track record - ie that you have raced consistently in a particular category for so many years. They want a profile, one that is suitable for their business.
So for example, i have raced in drag racing for the past 8 years.
2007/8 championship winner super sedan tas drag racing series.
2007/7 3rd super sedan
2006/7 2nd super sedan
2005/6 3rd super street.
Best reaction time 2008/9

Also, how many people attend the events, what tv or media coverage is there. What types of people attend the events?

Finally, present yourself well, speak well, and be courteous.

KPOJ · 11-06-2009, 03:11 PM

OK amazing luck i get a call from hyundai today, they said they have heard about my car and got my number after some research... Looks like they are very interested, have to wait and see how it pans out.

schnoods · 11-06-2009, 03:18 PM

Hit up a few hyundai dealerships, parts suppliers etc or anyone who has had a hand in working on the car.

It is hard to gain sponsorship if the car isnt ready to race, or doesnt attend every meeting.

EDManual · 12-06-2009, 11:19 AM

I was going to say Hyundai, what have they suggested? That looks like a great car! What engine?

KPOJ · 12-06-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDManual

I was going to say Hyundai, what have they suggested? That looks like a great car! What engine?

Cheers man...

Thats the problem, ive chatted to hyundai, they are very interested buit it has a nissan sr20. Hyundai have said they want a hyundai engine in it.

:
How can a car be competitive with a hyundai engine? ive come up with an idea that hyundai are half approving of. Get a mitsubishi lancer engine which is similar to a sonata engine, apparently the rocker covers are interchangeable, run the sonata rocker cover and no ones the wiser..

:

They are going to call me on monday to talk in more detail.

HP-0351 · 12-06-2009, 11:00 PM

Hit them up for an engine-driveline...perhaps one they have developed but not yet here in Oz...

The Hyundai Lamba 3.8 V6

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...CAGO/902119987

CAMS290 · 12-06-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPOJ

OK amazing luck i get a call from hyundai today, they said they have heard about my car and got my number after some research... Looks like they are very interested, have to wait and see how it pans out.

Was going to suggest Hyundai, great exposure for them......and you

GRNKPR · 12-06-2009, 11:27 PM

If you get hyundi sponsorship and you loose your job in the next 12 months do you get to return the car like their ads state !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KPOJ · 12-06-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP-0351

Hit them up for an engine-driveline...perhaps one they have developed but not yet here in Oz...

The Hyundai Lamba 3.8 V6

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...CAGO/902119987

Unfortunately cant run that engine unless i put a billet crank and re-sized bore... but im doing that anyway. hmmm

3.5L turbo multi valve engine has to weigh 1200kg. top 6 litre chevs have to weigh 1125kg and make 750-770hp that means the hyundai engine would have to make 800-850hp i think that would be leaning on it a bit to much.

2-2.6L would be perfect. Car would only have to weigh 975-1050kg so 2.6L would need to make 700hp

Cheers mate

KPOJ · 12-06-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRNKPR

If you get hyundi sponsorship and you loose your job in the next 12 months do you get to return the car like their ads state !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haven't head that one but sounds the goods. ill keep my eye out for it.

Anyhow i dont think ill be loosing my job any time soon. economy is picking back up

:

KPOJ · 12-06-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAMS290

Was going to suggest Hyundai, great exposure for them......and you

Hyundai did sponsor my mate last year in the aus manufacturers series, so motorsport isn't new to them.

Hopefully they like the car.

nice turbo engine would mate nicely with the rest of the drive line/car.

KPOJ · 12-06-2009, 11:49 PM

Also the hyundai bloke talked about one of their new v8s that come out in the genesis. Dont know if it could make enough power. Has to make 700hp N/A.

zx10 · 12-06-2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRNKPR

If you get hyundi sponsorship and you loose your job in the next 12 months do you get to return the car like their ads state !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that was Kia.

ZC001 · 13-06-2009, 12:39 AM

In my experience you need to be able to afford a budget to build and race your car independently and out of your own pocket. Fairy godmothers or Leprechauns with pots of gold are very few and far between. Any sponsor that can afford to contribute the funds that you cannot will be expecting a return on the dollars they invest, ie: how the dollars they invest in your race operation will return more profits to them (not just sales) than the sponsorship amount you are asking of them. Given the current economic climate, sponsorship budgets and expectation of returns have both now tightened up. Good Luck.

KPOJ · 13-06-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZC001

In my experience you need to be able to afford a budget to build and race your car independently and out of your own pocket. Fairy godmothers or Leprechauns with pots of gold are very few and far between. Any sponsor that can afford to contribute the funds that you cannot will be expecting a return on the dollars they invest, ie: how the dollars they invest in your race operation will return more profits to them (not just sales) than the sponsorship amount you are asking of them. Given the current economic climate, sponsorship budgets and expectation of returns have both now tightened up. Good Luck.

Very true mate, what/if i can get sponsorship that will be a bonus, the car will be run out of my pocket, just a few extra $$$ is very helpful.

I was going to run at a state level and do the occasional national round, but if i could get a sponsor i would be able to afford more traveling costs interstate to run all over the country.

SpoolMan · 13-06-2009, 01:18 AM

Rather than looking for cash, I would try and do some deals with products your going to need,eg: lubricants, race and pump fuels, tyres, panel shop, trans builder etc.
if you can get a lot of this stuff with huge discounts in return for signage on the car, this will help your running costs between each meeting...

KPOJ · 13-06-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Rather than looking for cash, I would try and do some deals with products your going to need,eg: lubricants, race and pump fuels, tyres, panel shop, trans builder etc.
if you can get a lot of this stuff with huge discounts in return for signage on the car, this will help your running costs between each meeting...

Exactly tyres are the main concern, the engine will only be looked after by my engine builder and the rest of the driveline will be prepped by fpr...

Im going to run the thing on e85 which will bring the cost down over $6-8 a litre martini.

My cousin had a panel shop which i have had full access to for years now, thats very handy.

Anyone who has helped me out has a sticker on the car...

but your right spoolman the consumables are somthing a sponsor would be very handy with...

Have you experimented with e85 in your drag car? exhaust temps are 100 degrees lower, so less chance of detonation at higher boost.

SpoolMan · 13-06-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPOJ

Have you experimented with e85 in your drag car? exhaust temps are 100 degrees lower, so less chance of detonation at higher boost.

Mate that's not a drag car, its my daily driver, 1st and only time at the fordforum nats my mate Rod prepared the car in race trim.
I was going to try E85 some time back, the guy who re-drilled the injectors botched the job.
At the moment more than happy using Martini fuel and some of there lubricants the fuel has been very consistent & reliable my engine never misses a beat and for the 3 to 4 times a year my car races its still cheaper to use the Martini unleaded than to fork out for new injectors and tuning.
The guys at Martini are passionate about performance and after having a few conversations with them I am confident there fuel is giving my cars set-up the best possible ET.

brownasp23 · 30-06-2009, 12:18 PM

Im interested in helping you out this is my 1st thread so im not sure i can PM but i am keen, talk more.

mdc351 · 09-07-2009, 08:12 AM

The most important thing to remember if you do up a proposal is to make specific requests to each individual company. Ie if you approach xyz oil company tell them exactly what you want in product for the season and how much signage space on the car they will get (plus what else you can give them - eg promotion on your team website, their logo on press releases etc). As spoolman said I would not ask for cash - stick to asking for product, you're more likely to get a foot in the door and start building a relationship this way. I have quite a few proposals I have done for Pro teams that I am willing to let you have a look at - IM me if you like.