Sponsorship question

[Nefarious]

I'm racing in the Scottish FF1600 championship this year (first foot into the world of racing), and am obviously doing all I can to keep costs under control.

I'm lucky enough to have a friend with a local business whose expressed an interest in providing some level of support (perhaps some cash, some services). Clearly I'll be grateful for anything I can get, but neither of us has any real idea what the "going rate" for sponsorship should be.

Could anybody venture a guesstimate at what would be a normal ball-park figure for placement of a couple of 40x25cm stickers on the car, plus maybe a big one on the trailer.

Any other tips, tricks or advice re: sponsorship most gratefully received...

[AWRacing]

There's no 'going rate' as such, more what he's happy to provide.
What you could do is make a list of your total predicted budget for the year and sit down with him and come to a deal he's happy with. He might say he'll pay for a couple of sets of tyres or the fuel you'll need for the season OR you may be lucky and he says he'll pay for all your race entries, even your total budget.

Good luck!

[Nefarious]

That's exactly the problem. We both know what the costs are likely to be, but whether we call it paying for tyres or paying for race entries, it still comes down to a basic price in £££.

At he end of the day, I'd be happy with anything - I have no other sponsorship options, and if I didn't put this chap's stickers on the car then it would only be left as useless white space. Does that mean than the price is nothing?

Likewise, he'd like a bit of exposure for his business, and we both know he could offset the cost against tax, but it's not like he's got loads and loads of opportunities to sponsor people.

At the end of the day, this isn't a hardcore negotiation - it's two mates trying to decide what's fair.

Put it this way - as a driver/team owner would £500 for the year (12 races with some TV coverage) for a couple of stickers seem a fair deal? Would £1000?

[AWRacing]

It's a toughy, as a driver you want as much help as possible but being mates you don't want to take the piss.

If you're happy covering the major costs yourself then maybe just ask help towards tyres/consumables/travel costs for this year and if you do well then, and he is still happy to help, improve on the deal for next season.

What's his business area? Could he help by supplying pit/paddock equipment? A decent gazebo is a must if you don't have one

[Nefarious]

It's a car detailing business, so there's not really a direct contribution to be made, but it does leave the possibility of taking payment in kind on my and the team owner's private cars.

The team is pretty well set up already (no gazebo, but we've got a covered trailer), so there's nothing I can immediately think off that we're short off.

I guess I'll float the idea of £500ish, plus maybe a couple of freebee valets, and see where we go from there...

[Count Johnny]

When I was in a similar position, in the mid-eighties, my sponsor paid my entry fees. He also obtained an Entrants Licence so his company name was in the programme.

Mind you. I think my entry fees were about thirty quid, back then! Just my $0.02.

[andylaurence]

Take what he's willing to pay. More importantly, if you've got sponsorship from a detailing company, you'd best make sure your car is immaculate when you get to the track and stays that way. Will he do that, or will you? He's not going to want a dirty car as an advert.

[tapkaJohnD]

I echo andy, but add - your other vehicles too.
Does he want to have promotional material at your paddock camp and pit garage?
If the first, the other vehicles become even more important
As well as taking the money, you should to help him optimise his investment, so think about offering to bring your race car to anywhere he has a display, motor shows for instance. That might be worth an additional payment, for time and travel.

As in any business, it's imagination that makes you money!
John

[MrCippo]

take whatever you can Neil, at the stage we are at everything helps. No need to be silly but I reckon 500£ would be a decent level.

As a vague comparassion, have a look at Mikey Gray's website for sponsorship offers, fellow championship contender : http://michaelgrayracing.com/join_michael_gray.htm...

See you in March!

[Nefarious]

MrCippo said:

take whatever you can Neil, at the stage we are at everything helps. No need to be silly but I reckon 500£ would be a decent level.

As a vague comparassion, have a look at Mikey Gray's website for sponsorship offers, fellow championship contender : http://michaelgrayracing.com/join_michael_gray.htm...

See you in March!

Ta for that link...some solid-ish evidence to justify my £500 asking price!

Andy - I'm more than aware that Mr. Detailer's OCD ways aren't necessarily fully compatable with my own "soggy roll-up down the railway arches" style of vehicular maintenance. He can bring his own imaculate fully-livered-up van up to events to canvas for business.

[andylaurence]

Nefarious said:

Andy - I'm more than aware that Mr. Detailer's OCD ways aren't necessarily fully compatable with my own "soggy roll-up down the railway arches" style of vehicular maintenance. He can bring his own imaculate fully-livered-up van up to events to canvas for business.

If he can just bring his van down, where's the benefit in sponsoring you? You will seriously need to consider this as a tatty car isn't going to be attractive to a detailer. He's going to want his whole outfit to look immaculate to show his attention to detail, otherwise it's not going to be a good deal for him. Who's going to call the detailer who sponsors that grubby car? That means no flies on your helmet, no oil on your overalls, a gleaming nicely polished race car, neat trailer and tidy tow car. That's going to cost someone time and money and that time and money has to be paid for by him, either by doing it himself or by paying you to do it and agreeing a standard of acceptability. Deals go down the pan for less and friendships can go down the pan with commercial deals.

[StainlessSteve32]

It sounds like you're over complicating things a wee bit, if your potential sponsor is a mate, I'd accept whatever he is kind enough to help you with and let him sort out any stickers etc. that he wants to adorn your car with.
Quite honestly £500 doesn't go very far in motorsport, but the benifit he will get from his name on your car won't add up to much either.
If you end up in a series that is viewed on telly later, then you can adjust the sticker to money ratio accordingly
Look on the bright side, your car will look more sporty with decals on and if your mate brings his family to watch you race he'll feel chuffed he's got his name on your motor.
The main thing is enjoy yourself.... you'll spend plenty doing it either way.
Good luck
Steve.