Best competition to gain a sponsor?
Discussion
Hi All,
I want to get into racing but have no experience other than the odd track day so would appreciate a bit of advice. My budget is very low so I was thinking of something like The Fiat Challenge (www.fiatracing.com). I’m not suggesting that I will be the next F1 Champion but I was wondering if any of these drivers are paid to race? I know that some will be sponsored and that alone would be amazing but you’ve got to have a dream right!?
Are there any other series that offer cheap racing with a decent sized grid that, have the potential to enable a driver to move up into the ranks of professional race driver? Or are simply more attractive to sponsors?
Before anyone shoots me down I know the chances of becoming a pro are less than slim so I want to confirm that I want to race 100% because it’s great fun!
Cheers,
Craig
I want to get into racing but have no experience other than the odd track day so would appreciate a bit of advice. My budget is very low so I was thinking of something like The Fiat Challenge (www.fiatracing.com). I’m not suggesting that I will be the next F1 Champion but I was wondering if any of these drivers are paid to race? I know that some will be sponsored and that alone would be amazing but you’ve got to have a dream right!?
Are there any other series that offer cheap racing with a decent sized grid that, have the potential to enable a driver to move up into the ranks of professional race driver? Or are simply more attractive to sponsors?
Before anyone shoots me down I know the chances of becoming a pro are less than slim so I want to confirm that I want to race 100% because it’s great fun!
Cheers,
Craig
I think there will be very few (if any) drivers who get paid in club racing, but a lot do manage to get sponsorship, it's often not a lot but obviously every little helps. The amount of media coverage a series gets will be the most important thing a potential sponsor would look for. A series where races are televised will be best. Just off the top of my head i think Ford championship is televised, Xr challenge and LMA saloons? not sure though. The porsche 924 championship ( www.porscheracingdrivers.co.uk ) which i race in, ocassionally has rounds televised and one or two drivers have had good sponsorship. There a quite a few popular lo-cost championships around worth looking at.
As for moving up the ranks i can't really speak for other championships, but in the 924's i think most poeple move onto porsche club (gary duckman, neil harvey, mark macaleer etc) and Ryan Hooker won the title a few years ago and now races GT's.
hope something here is of use
matt
As for moving up the ranks i can't really speak for other championships, but in the 924's i think most poeple move onto porsche club (gary duckman, neil harvey, mark macaleer etc) and Ryan Hooker won the title a few years ago and now races GT's.
hope something here is of use
matt
as said by the other chap, hardly anyone gets paid to race in club motorsport, and with all due respect, not in the fiat challenge!
personally i am not sure going on the TV is the best route either, having seen things like Race and Rally UK, the coverage isnt that great, they rarely feature anyone outside the top five unless you crash (not what your sponsors really want to see!) and its always on at rubbish times when the viewers are likely to be motorsport enthusiasts so unless your sponsor is in that field, its pretty much pointless advertising.
i guess my point is being on tv isnt the be all and end all for a sponsor, better to get them along to race meeting, let them use your car for customer/employee of the year, make them feel part of the team rather than just a bloke who pays for your racing and gets some time on an obscure tv channel at an odd time.
getting quantifiable benefit from being on tv is very hard to measure, if sales go up for their product, how can they be sure its because the company logo was seen on tv or is it just coincidence. as i said for club stuff, get a local comapny on board (easier said than done but try small building merchants etc, most i know like motorsport) and get them involved. do mock ups of the car with their logo then send it to them, let them see what the car would look like in their colours, you need them more than they need you.
also, there is lots in the media about the apparent credit crunch, i can imagine sponsoring racing cars isnt that high on most companies at the moment, but good luck, i hope you are successful.
personally i am not sure going on the TV is the best route either, having seen things like Race and Rally UK, the coverage isnt that great, they rarely feature anyone outside the top five unless you crash (not what your sponsors really want to see!) and its always on at rubbish times when the viewers are likely to be motorsport enthusiasts so unless your sponsor is in that field, its pretty much pointless advertising.
i guess my point is being on tv isnt the be all and end all for a sponsor, better to get them along to race meeting, let them use your car for customer/employee of the year, make them feel part of the team rather than just a bloke who pays for your racing and gets some time on an obscure tv channel at an odd time.
getting quantifiable benefit from being on tv is very hard to measure, if sales go up for their product, how can they be sure its because the company logo was seen on tv or is it just coincidence. as i said for club stuff, get a local comapny on board (easier said than done but try small building merchants etc, most i know like motorsport) and get them involved. do mock ups of the car with their logo then send it to them, let them see what the car would look like in their colours, you need them more than they need you.
also, there is lots in the media about the apparent credit crunch, i can imagine sponsoring racing cars isnt that high on most companies at the moment, but good luck, i hope you are successful.
Thanks guys it's good of you both to take the time to answer.
I thought a good place to start might be karting and some of the geared karts look amazing! Seen a few races on youtube and those things fly. I suppose the problem with them is that they are so small that a sponsors logo would be difficult to see and I don't think I've ever seen a karting race on TV or with huge crowds of people turning up to see races!?
The Clio cup looks amazing but that not even close to being in my budget
How do people get to race for teams? Obviously winning is a big part in it but I would have thought that you have to win in the right series for people to notice.
My boss is pretty keen on anything motor related so I thought about asking him if the company would sponsor me but first I need to decide on what I would like to race.
I thought a good place to start might be karting and some of the geared karts look amazing! Seen a few races on youtube and those things fly. I suppose the problem with them is that they are so small that a sponsors logo would be difficult to see and I don't think I've ever seen a karting race on TV or with huge crowds of people turning up to see races!?
The Clio cup looks amazing but that not even close to being in my budget
How do people get to race for teams? Obviously winning is a big part in it but I would have thought that you have to win in the right series for people to notice.
My boss is pretty keen on anything motor related so I thought about asking him if the company would sponsor me but first I need to decide on what I would like to race.
craiginsight said:
How do people get to race for teams? Obviously winning is a big part in it but I would have thought that you have to win in the right series for people to notice.
Ring up the team and tell them you have a large amount of money! The only series in which you would be likely to get 'noticed' are single seaters, for everything else money talks.I'd also point out that lots of GT/Touring drivers who call themselves 'professional racing drivers' are in reality heavily backed by family money.
OK, you wanna race.
You don't know what to race, or what series to race in. There's a start!
To be a pro, that means that you make your living from motorsport, which includes instructing (and associated activities). You have to be good, really really good, or with mega-bucks family money behind you to get started on the ladder. The really really good has to be matched up to the "right place at the right time".
Now, Clio Cup. You'll need 50-60K per season.
Fiat Challenge, it's running as a series this year after losing it's championship status last year. Their grids haven't been spectacular so far this year, and I doubt it'll run next year.
If you want to run in a series where you can start steady, and build up, there are a few fairly open saloon car championships that cater for things from road going saloons right up to silhouette crazy things - the LMA Eurosaloons is one of them.
As for gaining a sponsor, at club level it'll be family, friends, who you know, not what you know.
IF you ever make it beyond club level, you move into the area where you should be racing something that has potential to be "sellable" to a big sponsor. Don't forget, they want something in return for their money, not just a logo on your car. That means hospitality, merchandising, and all that jazz, which costs a bucket of money too! It's not what they can do for you, it's what you can do for them.
There's one adage that rings true....
How to end up with a small fortune through motorsport. Start out with a very large one.
(And stop before you're bankrupt!)
Rob.
You don't know what to race, or what series to race in. There's a start!
To be a pro, that means that you make your living from motorsport, which includes instructing (and associated activities). You have to be good, really really good, or with mega-bucks family money behind you to get started on the ladder. The really really good has to be matched up to the "right place at the right time".
Now, Clio Cup. You'll need 50-60K per season.
Fiat Challenge, it's running as a series this year after losing it's championship status last year. Their grids haven't been spectacular so far this year, and I doubt it'll run next year.
If you want to run in a series where you can start steady, and build up, there are a few fairly open saloon car championships that cater for things from road going saloons right up to silhouette crazy things - the LMA Eurosaloons is one of them.
As for gaining a sponsor, at club level it'll be family, friends, who you know, not what you know.
IF you ever make it beyond club level, you move into the area where you should be racing something that has potential to be "sellable" to a big sponsor. Don't forget, they want something in return for their money, not just a logo on your car. That means hospitality, merchandising, and all that jazz, which costs a bucket of money too! It's not what they can do for you, it's what you can do for them.
There's one adage that rings true....
How to end up with a small fortune through motorsport. Start out with a very large one.
(And stop before you're bankrupt!)
Rob.
I'd strongly recommend looking at the MINI Challenge (www.minichallenge.co.uk). Its a good entry level series in the 'club' class, it can be done for sensible money with some well reputed teams running arrive and drive cars, its got TV and decent PR - and for next season BMW backing (I believe) with the R56 car.
Sponsorship is about adding value to someones business (there are countless threads about it on here) but don't simply think of it as advertising as you'll go wrong if you do.
As for professional drivers - there are very very few - even in 'professional' formulae. I could count on probably 2 hands the number of drivers racing in this country that are genuinely 'professional' and get paid to race (those that teach for a living excluded).
Sponsorship is about adding value to someones business (there are countless threads about it on here) but don't simply think of it as advertising as you'll go wrong if you do.
As for professional drivers - there are very very few - even in 'professional' formulae. I could count on probably 2 hands the number of drivers racing in this country that are genuinely 'professional' and get paid to race (those that teach for a living excluded).
space on a kart is minimal and again will only reach a small minority audience. plus the fast guys have money and lots of it.
dependant upon where you are, i would consider a local series, like for example, the castle combe gt championship. this way you can try local comapnies who get to see you for an entire season rather than you just going off around the country and only visiting a circuit once a year. if you only race at one circuit, they regularly get their name in the faces of people who might benefit from their product or services, plus it helps them from the local press coverage position too.
obviously if you are lucky enough to get a national sponsor then a nationwide series would be ideal but i dont think you will get a sponsor before making a decision on the car/series.
unfortunately, i doubt any driver has gone from the combe gt series to being a paid driver but good luck, someones got to do it eventually....
dependant upon where you are, i would consider a local series, like for example, the castle combe gt championship. this way you can try local comapnies who get to see you for an entire season rather than you just going off around the country and only visiting a circuit once a year. if you only race at one circuit, they regularly get their name in the faces of people who might benefit from their product or services, plus it helps them from the local press coverage position too.
obviously if you are lucky enough to get a national sponsor then a nationwide series would be ideal but i dont think you will get a sponsor before making a decision on the car/series.
unfortunately, i doubt any driver has gone from the combe gt series to being a paid driver but good luck, someones got to do it eventually....
www.mightyminis.co.uk I started racing these last year, great grids and brill people to mingle with, drivers have been known to go on the touring cars too. Only Minis but they do go well and they are easy to maintain and fun to drive with a massive following.
At £8500 entry fee and a car that's going to cost £38k it's not a cheap series
but it will be high profile and compared to the Seat Challenge or Clio's it is cheap
I'd recommend the caterham series (lot's to pick from) they've certainly produced more of the "well" known drivers than most.
but it will be high profile and compared to the Seat Challenge or Clio's it is cheap
I'd recommend the caterham series (lot's to pick from) they've certainly produced more of the "well" known drivers than most.
TimCrighton said:
I'd strongly recommend looking at the MINI Challenge (www.minichallenge.co.uk). Its a good entry level series in the 'club' class, it can be done for sensible money with some well reputed teams running arrive and drive cars, its got TV and decent PR - and for next season BMW backing (I believe) with the R56 car.
Sponsorship is about adding value to someones business (there are countless threads about it on here) but don't simply think of it as advertising as you'll go wrong if you do.
As for professional drivers - there are very very few - even in 'professional' formulae. I could count on probably 2 hands the number of drivers racing in this country that are genuinely 'professional' and get paid to race (those that teach for a living excluded).
Sponsorship is about adding value to someones business (there are countless threads about it on here) but don't simply think of it as advertising as you'll go wrong if you do.
As for professional drivers - there are very very few - even in 'professional' formulae. I could count on probably 2 hands the number of drivers racing in this country that are genuinely 'professional' and get paid to race (those that teach for a living excluded).
The post refers to the 'Club' class of the challenge which can this season be done in a car which can be picked up for shy of £10k, a £5k entry fee, and minimal running costs.
The R56 Works Challenge will be a whole different ball game, and takes the challenge to the sort of level of the SEAT or Clio Cup as you rightly say. I wouldn't suggest its a good starting point for a novice though! But by starting with the Club class you get in with the series, learn the cars, the teams and start with a strong foundation to move up.
The R56 Works Challenge will be a whole different ball game, and takes the challenge to the sort of level of the SEAT or Clio Cup as you rightly say. I wouldn't suggest its a good starting point for a novice though! But by starting with the Club class you get in with the series, learn the cars, the teams and start with a strong foundation to move up.
TimCrighton said:
The post refers to the 'Club' class of the challenge which can this season be done in a car which can be picked up for shy of £10k, a £5k entry fee, and minimal running costs.
The R56 Works Challenge will be a whole different ball game, and takes the challenge to the sort of level of the SEAT or Clio Cup as you rightly say. I wouldn't suggest its a good starting point for a novice though! But by starting with the Club class you get in with the series, learn the cars, the teams and start with a strong foundation to move up.
Club car is bloody cheap and a great series - no doubt about that The R56 Works Challenge will be a whole different ball game, and takes the challenge to the sort of level of the SEAT or Clio Cup as you rightly say. I wouldn't suggest its a good starting point for a novice though! But by starting with the Club class you get in with the series, learn the cars, the teams and start with a strong foundation to move up.
woof said:
TimCrighton said:
The post refers to the 'Club' class of the challenge which can this season be done in a car which can be picked up for shy of £10k, a £5k entry fee, and minimal running costs.
The R56 Works Challenge will be a whole different ball game, and takes the challenge to the sort of level of the SEAT or Clio Cup as you rightly say. I wouldn't suggest its a good starting point for a novice though! But by starting with the Club class you get in with the series, learn the cars, the teams and start with a strong foundation to move up.
Club car is bloody cheap and a great series - no doubt about that The R56 Works Challenge will be a whole different ball game, and takes the challenge to the sort of level of the SEAT or Clio Cup as you rightly say. I wouldn't suggest its a good starting point for a novice though! But by starting with the Club class you get in with the series, learn the cars, the teams and start with a strong foundation to move up.
cant see a potential sponsor buying into it really.
the caterham suggestion was good, probably more scope for progression through GTs than saloon cars, look at stuff like the Dutch Supercar Challenge, French/Spanish GT etc all good racing in proper cars and easily achievable after a solid grounding in something like a caterham.
Hi All,
Thanks for all your help and sorry I haven't replied sooner I've been away from my connection for a few days.
I reckon I'll start off karting for a couple of seasons as it's much cheaper than car racing and will be a good place to cut my teeth so to speak. The minichallenge stuff looks like great fun but it is beyong my budget at the minute
Do any of you race karts?
Thanks for all your help and sorry I haven't replied sooner I've been away from my connection for a few days.
I reckon I'll start off karting for a couple of seasons as it's much cheaper than car racing and will be a good place to cut my teeth so to speak. The minichallenge stuff looks like great fun but it is beyong my budget at the minute
Do any of you race karts?
as the above have said,its not what you know,its who you know! in club racing,especially karts,you will probably find that the alleged sponsored drivers are sponsored by either there families business,or someone they know.
and its not all about having loads of money to throw at your racing,you can have some decent results against the moneyed drivers,and it pixxes em off too!lol
when i raced karts back in the early 90's,i raced against christian horner(mr red bull manager now!!!) and he was sponsored by Autoglass etc,had a huge team,had many chassis and engine changes throughout the year and he still only managed to beat me to shenington's club champs by 1 point when id been on the same chassis and 2 engines all year!
plus,people arent going to sponsor you if you have no pedigree or any results to back your quest up! plus with todays economic climate as it is unless your VERY good id hazzard a guess your going to get nowhere!
if i was you mate,id stick to karting,and rather than buying your own gear(at a cost of nigh on £5k annually to get decent gear) try club100 arrive and drive.good value for money and good racing too,plus you dont need a licence so you dont have to pay the MSA just for someone to say,yes you can drive a kart! and as the gears not yours,doesnt cost you a penny if you bend it or blow a motor,which is always a bonus!
as for car racing,even at club level,you arent going to win unless A/your very lucky, or B/ you have a large wallet!look at 750mc stock hatch for example,some peoples ignition systems cost more than my old 205gti cost in total to buy!
and its not all about having loads of money to throw at your racing,you can have some decent results against the moneyed drivers,and it pixxes em off too!lol
when i raced karts back in the early 90's,i raced against christian horner(mr red bull manager now!!!) and he was sponsored by Autoglass etc,had a huge team,had many chassis and engine changes throughout the year and he still only managed to beat me to shenington's club champs by 1 point when id been on the same chassis and 2 engines all year!
plus,people arent going to sponsor you if you have no pedigree or any results to back your quest up! plus with todays economic climate as it is unless your VERY good id hazzard a guess your going to get nowhere!
if i was you mate,id stick to karting,and rather than buying your own gear(at a cost of nigh on £5k annually to get decent gear) try club100 arrive and drive.good value for money and good racing too,plus you dont need a licence so you dont have to pay the MSA just for someone to say,yes you can drive a kart! and as the gears not yours,doesnt cost you a penny if you bend it or blow a motor,which is always a bonus!
as for car racing,even at club level,you arent going to win unless A/your very lucky, or B/ you have a large wallet!look at 750mc stock hatch for example,some peoples ignition systems cost more than my old 205gti cost in total to buy!
I do a fair bit of karting and can second what people have said. Club karting is a great entry point, you gain loads of experience in a short space of time ( compared to cars at least). Even in the chapest classes though unless your very talented your going to need fairly decent equipment to run at the front in most classes and start up costs are going to be a few grand. You could run with a team but that would negate most of the start up costs but that still won't be cheap. If your budget doesn't stretch to a few grand then its worth looking as already mentioned at club 100. I've done a fair few of their endurace events with mates and theres levels to suit all abilities. All the races I've done have been very competitive with some great drivers so its worth looking at!
In my experience though from karting and knowing a fair few club racers there are 3 kinds of people who raceat club level:
1. Those with lots of family money (ie sons using their parents money)
2. Those with lots of personal money (ie run their own business, lots of money through things like that)
3. Those with little money but who sacrifice a lot to be able to afford to go racing (I'll include myself in this bracket)
Really I think it all comes down to how much you want it, if you really want to race you'll find the money from soemwhere (ie scrimp on all your personal luxuries, save, sell belongings etc) which is what many of us me included who are not loaded do.
Sorry to be a bit negative but I was like you a few years back thinking sponsorship etc and have learnt the hard way its just not like that!
If you want any more info on karting classes etc just ask!!
In my experience though from karting and knowing a fair few club racers there are 3 kinds of people who raceat club level:
1. Those with lots of family money (ie sons using their parents money)
2. Those with lots of personal money (ie run their own business, lots of money through things like that)
3. Those with little money but who sacrifice a lot to be able to afford to go racing (I'll include myself in this bracket)
Really I think it all comes down to how much you want it, if you really want to race you'll find the money from soemwhere (ie scrimp on all your personal luxuries, save, sell belongings etc) which is what many of us me included who are not loaded do.
Sorry to be a bit negative but I was like you a few years back thinking sponsorship etc and have learnt the hard way its just not like that!
If you want any more info on karting classes etc just ask!!
My advice is . . . give up you are too late and too old now.
If you have a good job and spare cash do what you can with that. Club karting I would suggest gets the most track time for the least money and will sort out wether you can actually drive or not.
I see you have a scoob.
Having a quick car and enthusiasm is not the recipe to drive fast.
Blasting past everyone in a straight line with an easy power advantage doesn't translate to world class driving skills.
I had a friend with a scoob who couldn't wait till we had a big get together at a kart track on a works do. He came last .
Don't get me wrong you may well be completely different.
Can you get an indoor kart meet organised or tag on with someone elses. Believe me when I started karting at club level I had to put up with 12 year olds beating me till I knew one end of a steering wheel from another.
Every young man given the opportumity would love to be a racing driver.
So that kind of ramps up the odds against success.
I would love to say it was easy but even when you have acquired the skill to be faster than everyone else sponsorship still won't knock on your door.
If you have a good job and spare cash do what you can with that. Club karting I would suggest gets the most track time for the least money and will sort out wether you can actually drive or not.
I see you have a scoob.
Having a quick car and enthusiasm is not the recipe to drive fast.
Blasting past everyone in a straight line with an easy power advantage doesn't translate to world class driving skills.
I had a friend with a scoob who couldn't wait till we had a big get together at a kart track on a works do. He came last .
Don't get me wrong you may well be completely different.
Can you get an indoor kart meet organised or tag on with someone elses. Believe me when I started karting at club level I had to put up with 12 year olds beating me till I knew one end of a steering wheel from another.
Every young man given the opportumity would love to be a racing driver.
So that kind of ramps up the odds against success.
I would love to say it was easy but even when you have acquired the skill to be faster than everyone else sponsorship still won't knock on your door.
Karting can be as expensive as cars, but i have found that most of the better drivers at meetings have raced karts before.
I race between the Northern Sports and Saloons and the SMRC, them being the only two within a close proximaty to where i live.
You can pick up a race prepped car for under 10 grand if not for less, and there are plenty of classes to fit into.
If you havent raced before i would get something that isnt going to break the bank, save some of your cash for throughout the season for a float, entry fee's, tyres, any mishaps!, and get on the track nad see if you enjoy it.
Karts or cars whatever path you go down get on the track and see if its for you before committing time and cash into something that you find you may not enjoy for whatever reason. Getting involved with a club is essential as there will be people in the same boat as yourself, you'll makes contacts and freinds and find out what its all about. Offer your services if anyone needs a hand at meetings.
Sponsorship, getting paid etc that comes far down the line.
I race between the Northern Sports and Saloons and the SMRC, them being the only two within a close proximaty to where i live.
You can pick up a race prepped car for under 10 grand if not for less, and there are plenty of classes to fit into.
If you havent raced before i would get something that isnt going to break the bank, save some of your cash for throughout the season for a float, entry fee's, tyres, any mishaps!, and get on the track nad see if you enjoy it.
Karts or cars whatever path you go down get on the track and see if its for you before committing time and cash into something that you find you may not enjoy for whatever reason. Getting involved with a club is essential as there will be people in the same boat as yourself, you'll makes contacts and freinds and find out what its all about. Offer your services if anyone needs a hand at meetings.
Sponsorship, getting paid etc that comes far down the line.
Karting can be as expensive as cars, but i have found that most of the better drivers at meetings have raced karts before.
I race between the Northern Sports and Saloons and the SMRC, them being the only two within a close proximaty to where i live.
You can pick up a race prepped car for under 10 grand if not for less, and there are plenty of classes to fit into.
If you havent raced before i would get something that isnt going to break the bank, save some of your cash for throughout the season for a float, entry fee's, tyres, any mishaps!, and get on the track nad see if you enjoy it.
Karts or cars whatever path you go down get on the track and see if its for you before committing time and cash into something that you find you may not enjoy for whatever reason. Getting involved with a club is essential as there will be people in the same boat as yourself, you'll makes contacts and freinds and find out what its all about. Offer your services if anyone needs a hand at meetings.
Sponsorship, getting paid etc that comes far down the line.
I race between the Northern Sports and Saloons and the SMRC, them being the only two within a close proximaty to where i live.
You can pick up a race prepped car for under 10 grand if not for less, and there are plenty of classes to fit into.
If you havent raced before i would get something that isnt going to break the bank, save some of your cash for throughout the season for a float, entry fee's, tyres, any mishaps!, and get on the track nad see if you enjoy it.
Karts or cars whatever path you go down get on the track and see if its for you before committing time and cash into something that you find you may not enjoy for whatever reason. Getting involved with a club is essential as there will be people in the same boat as yourself, you'll makes contacts and freinds and find out what its all about. Offer your services if anyone needs a hand at meetings.
Sponsorship, getting paid etc that comes far down the line.
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