clubman sponsorship
Discussion
Visiting many of the UK club meets last summer, and competing for one event in the track day trophy, I was quite amazed at the amount of sponsorship novice club man racers had generated for their weekend hobbies. I am looking to start a club man career under my own steam, purely for the love of competing, and I am struggling to raise a full seasons budget. I hadn't really thought of sponsorship before as I had previously only thought of people interested in getting their companies name on the high profile BTCC package etc. events but if it is more common than I previous thought, would anyone care to share their experiences?
The first thing is, are you sure they are sponsorship stickers? A lot of novice racers put stickers on their car just to make it look less bland. Some might also be series sponsorship stickers they have to display to run in the series, and others might be for sponsorship schemes.
The reason I mention this is you'll see quite a few threads in here asking about sponsorship, and the general gist of things is as a novice racer you fund it as a hobby, with the odd bit of financial help if you can get it and money off products. A few companies have sponsorship schemes like Demon Tweeks, Opie Oils and EBC that give you money off products in exchange for stickers on the car.
My car for example has a full sponsorship livery, but it's my mates family business who does the spannering on my car as a hobby for himself. Also on there is a windscreen banner and various other stickers which we have to run in the series, and also Demon Tweeks, EBC and Opie Oils sponsorship scheme stickers. That lot makes it look like I'm fully sponsored, but in fact I pay for everything myself as a hobby.
The reason I mention this is you'll see quite a few threads in here asking about sponsorship, and the general gist of things is as a novice racer you fund it as a hobby, with the odd bit of financial help if you can get it and money off products. A few companies have sponsorship schemes like Demon Tweeks, Opie Oils and EBC that give you money off products in exchange for stickers on the car.
My car for example has a full sponsorship livery, but it's my mates family business who does the spannering on my car as a hobby for himself. Also on there is a windscreen banner and various other stickers which we have to run in the series, and also Demon Tweeks, EBC and Opie Oils sponsorship scheme stickers. That lot makes it look like I'm fully sponsored, but in fact I pay for everything myself as a hobby.
Cheers for the response, what you've said is what I had always presumed. General championship necessities and maybe the entrants own company as well. But quite a few of these cars have several random i.e non motorsport related or championship sponsors stickers, all over their car which leads me to believe it is private sponsorship getting involved. Most likely I should imagine it is just friends and families companies getting involved but even then surely you have to give them something in return. Is a couple of free tickets and a coke and a burger from the Kentagon enough?
One of the lads I rally with has the following deals in place...
Local VW dealership - Supply parts to take in the service barge
Lighting company - Family friends company (I think), financial help to buy and run the car
Sign company - Family friend again who supply all decals FOC.
The lad who services for him has some decals on the car for his company
I understand the VW sponsorship was achieved by writing a letter to the DP offering the car for display at a family fun day/fete. Once there my mate spent a long time chatting to the DP and they struck the deal.
Local VW dealership - Supply parts to take in the service barge
Lighting company - Family friends company (I think), financial help to buy and run the car
Sign company - Family friend again who supply all decals FOC.
The lad who services for him has some decals on the car for his company
I understand the VW sponsorship was achieved by writing a letter to the DP offering the car for display at a family fun day/fete. Once there my mate spent a long time chatting to the DP and they struck the deal.
Theres a huge amount of who you know to get any 'sponsorship'. Many club racers in the paddock are business owners and also frequently in the motortrade themselves which helps with more contacts etc. Ultimately this is a hobby but if we can get a few quid of parts here and there through some scheme then that is a bonus.
I managed to get some, but I got lucky.
I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
Neil's post (Glynn84) is bang on the money. Most people have their own company's names or their mates' on.
I spent a whole year searching sponsorship for the ANCC Stage Rally Championship once and ended up with six tyres for a load of stickers on the car. Your time is better spent putting a few hours overtime in.
You need to ask yourself what the sponsor would get from having his name on car running at the back of the field around Brands Hatch? Can you remember the names of the sponsors you spotted in order to write the OP?
My cars are stickered up with company logos and the best publicity I get is when I take them to classic car shows and the like.
I'm not saying don't look for sponsorship. Anything is worth a punt. But unless you drop lucky, you could waste a lot of time doing so.
I spent a whole year searching sponsorship for the ANCC Stage Rally Championship once and ended up with six tyres for a load of stickers on the car. Your time is better spent putting a few hours overtime in.
You need to ask yourself what the sponsor would get from having his name on car running at the back of the field around Brands Hatch? Can you remember the names of the sponsors you spotted in order to write the OP?
My cars are stickered up with company logos and the best publicity I get is when I take them to classic car shows and the like.
I'm not saying don't look for sponsorship. Anything is worth a punt. But unless you drop lucky, you could waste a lot of time doing so.
Having raced spending heaps of time looking for sponsors is a bit of a waste of time in the lower levels you'd be better off getting a extra job bar etc. I have in the past and do sponsor a old Formula 3 car which competes in club events. In exchange for a couple of tickets and a sticker on the car the chap gets some tools, consumables and lubricants. Realistically that I feel is the average you could hope for in Clubmans racing. (although I do get a little badgered for more )
Bertrum said:
I managed to get some, but I got lucky.
I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
A puzzling post until I read the last sentence..........I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
DSM2 said:
Bertrum said:
I managed to get some, but I got lucky.
I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
A puzzling post until I read the last sentence..........I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
ky dinner etc etc they are giving you some 'sponsorship'. Same difference to you as the driver of course, cash is cash but in terms of explaining this to people looking for sponsorship themselves it's a difference worth making clear.So... Sponsorship routes.
1. Your own business or family business on your own car - you are sponsoring you, but with sensible planning it's tax efficient.
2. A business to whom you are an important client sponsors your car - they are investing in you though, they don't really give a toss if their name is on the car.
3. A business sponsors you/your car to raise their profile - this is the most rare and you have to be brutally honest and ask yourself what you can offer the client and what it might be worth to them.
Good luck chaps
When I started hillclimbing two years ago my accountant told me HMRC don't like you sponsoring yourself (limited Company), it could be done but it wasn't really worth the hassle. My bookkeeper shared his point of view, she thought it would only work if you were getting the Company some decent exposure. Anybody had any other experience or knowledge as I'd love my Company to sponsor me & presumably reclaim the VAT on tyres/parts etc?
I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
houlbt said:
DSM2 said:
Bertrum said:
I managed to get some, but I got lucky.
I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
A puzzling post until I read the last sentence..........I'm being sponsored by a recruitment consultants called Rubicon People based in Poole. Made contact with the MD through my work.
He is helping me to secure more as well. As you can imagine he knows pretty much every local business.
I'm racing in the MX5 cup as a novice. I am running with a big team which is more expensive but helped me get the sponsorship. So I pay more to pay less?! If that makes sense.
In short you need contacts, I have loads and loads through my work (Purchasing) and have still found it tough.
ky dinner etc etc they are giving you some 'sponsorship'. Same difference to you as the driver of course, cash is cash but in terms of explaining this to people looking for sponsorship themselves it's a difference worth making clear.So... Sponsorship routes.
1. Your own business or family business on your own car - you are sponsoring you, but with sensible planning it's tax efficient.
2. A business to whom you are an important client sponsors your car - they are investing in you though, they don't really give a toss if their name is on the car.
3. A business sponsors you/your car to raise their profile - this is the most rare and you have to be brutally honest and ask yourself what you can offer the client and what it might be worth to them.
Good luck chaps
So this raises the question.
What does he get out of it? Publicity basically and his name out and about at shows etc. The car draws a massive amount of attention when at local shows. He also can use it as a networking tool.
Why is he helping me get more sponsors? Because it gives him a lead in to talk to potential new customers.
Other companies I have been speaking to like it because it's cheap and it can draw interest from a new customer base. (young men)
As I have said before whether it has there name on it or not is irrelevant and the fact that it races is irrelevant. Its the crowd a race car can draw that is the seller.
Bare in mind it has to look good. And be something people can relate to. Hence going for the MK3. Here is a pic.
To be honest I am glad people think it's an impossible task as it gives less competition. But I am trying to promote the fact that it is possible, you just need to think about it a slightly different way. I am looking forward to getting some feed back from my sponsor to find out how and if it helped him get more business.
For me it had to work as I bought a car I couldn't afford to race!
Bertrum said:
Actually we are a relatively small business and as such him sponsoring me gains them very little in terms of more business. In fact I have had to distance myself from that side of the recruitment process because he has sponsored me.
So this raises the question.
What does he get out of it? Publicity basically and his name out and about at shows etc. The car draws a massive amount of attention when at local shows. He also can use it as a networking tool.
Why is he helping me get more sponsors? Because it gives him a lead in to talk to potential new customers.
Other companies I have been speaking to like it because it's cheap and it can draw interest from a new customer base. (young men)
As I have said before whether it has there name on it or not is irrelevant and the fact that it races is irrelevant. Its the crowd a race car can draw that is the seller.
Bare in mind it has to look good. And be something people can relate to. Hence going for the MK3. Here is a pic.
To be honest I am glad people think it's an impossible task as it gives less competition. But I am trying to promote the fact that it is possible, you just need to think about it a slightly different way. I am looking forward to getting some feed back from my sponsor to find out how and if it helped him get more business.
For me it had to work as I bought a car I couldn't afford to race!
Well, OK if you believe all that but I think you are underestimating your value as a customer. So this raises the question.
What does he get out of it? Publicity basically and his name out and about at shows etc. The car draws a massive amount of attention when at local shows. He also can use it as a networking tool.
Why is he helping me get more sponsors? Because it gives him a lead in to talk to potential new customers.
Other companies I have been speaking to like it because it's cheap and it can draw interest from a new customer base. (young men)
As I have said before whether it has there name on it or not is irrelevant and the fact that it races is irrelevant. Its the crowd a race car can draw that is the seller.
Bare in mind it has to look good. And be something people can relate to. Hence going for the MK3. Here is a pic.
To be honest I am glad people think it's an impossible task as it gives less competition. But I am trying to promote the fact that it is possible, you just need to think about it a slightly different way. I am looking forward to getting some feed back from my sponsor to find out how and if it helped him get more business.
For me it had to work as I bought a car I couldn't afford to race!
My son and I raced karts and cars (FHonda, F Renault) from 99 until 2007. We were 'sponsored' by two or three of my Company's suppliers. No-one was under any illusion about what the returns were. That's how it goes.
I sold up and retired a couple of years ago and we will be out racing this weekend in the F3 Cup. Guess who is paying now?
As for 'drawing massive attention', I would bet an awful lot of money that targetted advertising would bring better results per pound invested than any form of club racing.
LordHaveMurci said:
When I started hillclimbing two years ago my accountant told me HMRC don't like you sponsoring yourself (limited Company), it could be done but it wasn't really worth the hassle. My bookkeeper shared his point of view, she thought it would only work if you were getting the Company some decent exposure. Anybody had any other experience or knowledge as I'd love my Company to sponsor me & presumably reclaim the VAT on tyres/parts etc?
I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
The advice you received was correct. HMRC do not look on an individual's business sponsoring their own personal hobbies (or their families' hobbies) as a legitimate business expense.I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
Eric Mc said:
LordHaveMurci said:
When I started hillclimbing two years ago my accountant told me HMRC don't like you sponsoring yourself (limited Company), it could be done but it wasn't really worth the hassle. My bookkeeper shared his point of view, she thought it would only work if you were getting the Company some decent exposure. Anybody had any other experience or knowledge as I'd love my Company to sponsor me & presumably reclaim the VAT on tyres/parts etc?
I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
The advice you received was correct. HMRC do not look on an individual's business sponsoring their own personal hobbies (or their families' hobbies) as a legitimate business expense.I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
Betrum if you are in purchasing presumably you are a buyer, so one has to ask is any company you are dealing with influenced by that fact when they offer a bit of sponsorship? I am sure if a procurer of any product I sell could guarantee me a lot more orders I would stump up a bit of sponsorship in return but would question is this really kosher and could see a rival company getting very uptight if they knew of any such arrangement and prehaps taking it further, be careful.
JeffC said:
Eric Mc said:
LordHaveMurci said:
When I started hillclimbing two years ago my accountant told me HMRC don't like you sponsoring yourself (limited Company), it could be done but it wasn't really worth the hassle. My bookkeeper shared his point of view, she thought it would only work if you were getting the Company some decent exposure. Anybody had any other experience or knowledge as I'd love my Company to sponsor me & presumably reclaim the VAT on tyres/parts etc?
I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
The advice you received was correct. HMRC do not look on an individual's business sponsoring their own personal hobbies (or their families' hobbies) as a legitimate business expense.I guess there's always the option of finding a mate with their own Company & sponsoring easch other...
Bertrum said:
Actually we are a relatively small business and as such him sponsoring me gains them very little in terms of more business. In fact I have had to distance myself from that side of the recruitment process because he has sponsored me.
So this raises the question.
What does he get out of it? Publicity basically and his name out and about at shows etc. The car draws a massive amount of attention when at local shows. He also can use it as a networking tool.
Why is he helping me get more sponsors? Because it gives him a lead in to talk to potential new customers.
Other companies I have been speaking to like it because it's cheap and it can draw interest from a new customer base. (young men)
As I have said before whether it has there name on it or not is irrelevant and the fact that it races is irrelevant. Its the crowd a race car can draw that is the seller.
Bare in mind it has to look good. And be something people can relate to. Hence going for the MK3. Here is a pic.
To be honest I am glad people think it's an impossible task as it gives less competition. But I am trying to promote the fact that it is possible, you just need to think about it a slightly different way. I am looking forward to getting some feed back from my sponsor to find out how and if it helped him get more business.
For me it had to work as I bought a car I couldn't afford to race!
I believe I'm currently eating shreddies and watching your races in the ma5das at Snetterton!So this raises the question.
What does he get out of it? Publicity basically and his name out and about at shows etc. The car draws a massive amount of attention when at local shows. He also can use it as a networking tool.
Why is he helping me get more sponsors? Because it gives him a lead in to talk to potential new customers.
Other companies I have been speaking to like it because it's cheap and it can draw interest from a new customer base. (young men)
As I have said before whether it has there name on it or not is irrelevant and the fact that it races is irrelevant. Its the crowd a race car can draw that is the seller.
Bare in mind it has to look good. And be something people can relate to. Hence going for the MK3. Here is a pic.
To be honest I am glad people think it's an impossible task as it gives less competition. But I am trying to promote the fact that it is possible, you just need to think about it a slightly different way. I am looking forward to getting some feed back from my sponsor to find out how and if it helped him get more business.
For me it had to work as I bought a car I couldn't afford to race!
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