Can you give advice about securing sponsors for a race team

Question

I am trying to secure a sponsor for an ARCA Re/Max Series car, or possibly a NASCAR Late Model car. I have raced on dirt, and I am attempting to advance to asphalt. I however am having great difficulty in finding buisnesses that are interested in me because I don't have a "household" name like Earnhardt, or Petty. Does anybody have any advice that might help? I can't afford to race on my current wages. I will need a sponsor to help, and I have a great marketing plan with the ARCA Car. I have included this fact on my proposals, and it doesn't seem to matter. Any advice will be extremely helpful!

Answer 1

First make sure you look, act and speak professionally.

Make your presentation/proposal look and sound professional.

Research how many people attend the races where you will be racing, and multiply that by the number of times you will be racing.  Put that information into your proposal showing how large an audience will be seeing their advertisement.  

Offer to bring your car to their business before the season starts for photo ops and publicity.  If they do sponsor you, don't forget to give them a very nice, signed and framed picture of you and the car for their wall.

Make sure the businesses you approach are consistent with the people who will go to watch you race.

Don't let your disappointment show if they don't immediately offer to sponsor you, your behavior may influence whether they decide to sponsor you at a later date.  Don't be afraid to ask if they know of anyone else who may want to sponsor you?  Have different levels of sponsorship shown on your proposal so they have options.

Make sure you offer to pay for them to attend one of your races to watch you, at least once a year on your dime.  Make sure you have food and soft drinks in the pits for them or pay for them that race.

If they have kids, offer to let them sit in your car for photo ops.

Sounds like you have done a good job of preparing already.  Keep trying, and try to think outside the box.  Maybe there is a business that you thought wouldn't be suitable for a sponsor that may be interested.  I had Big O Tires for a sponsor for three or four years, not much, but they gave me enough for a set of tires, anything helps.  Maybe you could contact one of the Nascar drivers from your state and speak with them?  If they can't sponsor you, they might have some leads or know of smaller sponsors that would be interested.  Good luck!

Good luck.