How do you participate in the X?

Question

Specifacally, how do you qualify and participate?

Answer 1

First and foremost you must be driven.

You have to first gain EXPOSURE.

In order to gain exposure you have to participate in exhibitions, local events, regional qualifying events, tours, etc. hopefully this exposure entices sponsors.  Once you have the sponsors you then have clout and funds to gain even more exposure and hence qualifying spots (some reserved for sponsors.)