Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

13 year old looking for English Creek sponsors for box stock class.   Looking for sponsors for fuel, tires, safety equipment, etc.  No amount too small.  Willing to do appearances at your business to promote the sport and your business.  Looking to start not only a winning team but a racing familiy.  Will work hard for your sponsorship and business.

Instead of going on a message board, you should be putting togethere a nice packet and taking it to all local businesses and talking with the owners of the businesses.

My first question is:  What do I get in exchange for my $$?  Is it just my name on the car, or are you willing to do an event at my business?  If you crash are you done for the season or do you have enough equipment to overcome a blown motor or destroyed racecar?

The days of sponsors just handing over $$$ are done.  Drivers like Brian Brown are showing sponsors that they have more value to him than just being a $$$ person.  You do more and you'll get more.

I am not sure what is wrong with going on a message board as a first step.  Phone calls and letters are being done also.  This is a 13 year old who is just getting started and doing the sponsor search/meetings all on his own.  He will not be done for the season with a blown motor or destroyed racecar. If a sponsor wants an event, he will be there. Showcasing and support is what it's about.  Not only for the individual but also the sport as a whole.

We are very familiar with what it takes.  Lots of time spent at tracks and seeing what people like Brian Brown give back to their sponsors...Brown is a good friend.

Usually agree with you Vande but in this case get off your high horse and give the kid a break.  There are a lot of Knoxville folks like yourself that cruise this site and if can get lucky enough to pick up something it appears he's ready to do his part in return. 

Good luck son, with your mind set on something nobody can tell you the goal is not achievable.  Effort combined with some talent and this youngster might be somebody we all see in a few years.  I wish you well and may try to throw a few bucks in the pool when I'm out there for the Nationals.....

Thanks so much! for your kind words...

I'm glad, but the website of fundme.com doesn't mention anything in return for my $$, just a way to donate $$$.

I'm just asking questions that I'm sure anyone that wants to sponsor a car would ask.  (Better them hearing it now on a message board than when they walk into a business and not be prepared for the questions).

I'm glad to see a young kid trying to make it in racing (with his families help), I just expect a little more information up front when someone is asking for $$ from me (which they are asking anyone/everyone for $$$ when htey post to a message board).

I guess maybe my approach would have been different.  I probably would have started with:

Hi, we are a new go-kart racing team focusing on events at English Creek Speedway just south of Knoxville and are searching for partnerships with local businesses.  We have many programs available to fit your needs including a basic sponsorship package that includes:  your company logo on the car, on hero cards, T-shirts and (1) car/driver appearance at your place of business (within 10 miles of Knoxville).  A basic + package that includes:  all the parts of a basic package + your logo on the drivers uniform.  A Silver Sponsor package that includes......

And so on and so on.

I realize this is not big $$$ they are asking for, but starting out with a planned sponsor message will gain you sponsors (and some supporters behind the scenes too as they will be able to see how hard you are working).

That's great advice.  Thanks for the idea, however, not sure he will be focusing on t-shirts or hero cards at this time.  Mainly just getting started with the car and getting comfortable in the process of running a team at 13 years old.  He is not going to be a kid that just jumps in the car and drives.  He will know every aspect including motor, tires and so on. 

As you can tell he has already edited his original post and taken some of your advice so thank you again.

Dang, this ain't the Indy 500 the youngster is looking to go to.  He also mentioned in his post they would do appearances at your place.  This is not a place to sign a contract for life but hopefully to start a dialogue and then follow it up.  Rome wasn't built in a day and I personally would rather meet the family and see what we can put together, makes much more sense than having it written up as Gospel in this forum.

Here is the best sponsorship story I've ever known and it's from Knoxville.  Randy Martin won a Feature there about a dozen or 15 years ago and during his interview on the track after the race said some kind words about another racer.  I can't remember whether he had passed or had some bad luck or whatever it was but Randy mentioned him.  A man in the stands heard the interview and was impressed with what Randy had said and decided he wanted to sponsor a car and this was going to be his man.  A few days later Randy got a phone call from said man and he wanted to sponsor his car.  Randy didn't know the man and mentioned what it would cost to have his company name on a decal on the wing and the man said no, he would like to do more.  Randy liked this and mentioned what it would cost to have a larger deal on the wing, but that wasn't enough either, then he said the whole wing but that wasn't enough again.  The sponsor to be said he wanted to sponsor Randy, his whole car and operation, the works.  Randy was floored, stunned, confused whatever you want to call it.  He was a very good racer but your basic low-buck type, this hadn't ever crossed his mind.  They decided to meet and as it turns out were not that far apart, both in Missouri.  They met, he said get whatever you need and let's go racing.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars later Diamond Pet Foods are still with him.  I remember early on Mr. Sponsor used to like to drive up to Randy's shop and simply sit there and have a beer 'with the boys', help wash the car, hang around and just be a part of the team.  Every racer's dream come true and it started with some kind words.....

PS  I don't know how many folks in this forum have ever been to or hung around a race shop but it is something you MUST do at least one time if you are a racefan.  I used to go to Randy's whenever I could and it was always the best, you never knew who you'd meet there and the stories to swap were the best.  The last time I was ever there was the last time I ever saw Jesse Hockett, that's something I'll cherish till they throw dirt on me....

A little background on my son - 

Tyson went to his first race in May of 2000.  He was a week old and the McCarl's were nice enough to let us go to their suite in the hall of fame.  He has been going to Knoxville ever since.  He has introduced us to many people because of his outgoing attitude, bright blonde hair and blue eyes.  When he was only 3 he made friends with Billy Alley.  He still holds that friendship.  In the last 4 years or so he has made quite a few friends in the 21 pit of Brian Brown and has also introduced his sister to Miss Heather and a fun and fabulous friendship has emerged.  He has visited race shops and maybe learned more from there than a young boy should but he loved it!  He has a different outlook on life when he is in the pits or when his favorites are on the track.  He lights up, and sometimes the fire goes dim like when Brian Brown was oh so close to winning the Nationals.  He may never be the driver that Brian Brown is and he may never make it in to any car but a go-cart at English Creek and that is ok.  This endeavor is just showing me, as his mom, that he is willing to work and try to put this team together.  He is willing, willing to sacrifice some of his summer to work in a hot garage and get this car put together.  To learn from adults instead of hanging out with his friends.  For what? Maybe to go out and finish last every single night, maybe to spin out or even wreck a car.  But what I am impressed with is he wants to work his tail off and do it anyway.

Great story Mike.. Thanks for sharing. 

If anyone is interested I have a packet made up and here is my contact information.

641-204-1449

[email protected]

Awesome outcome, great story.

+1,000,000,000 Internet points!

Got a million Cobra and you've heard many.  Good luck with your racing this year, is it not time to get out to the Nationals???  Would be great to say ya' again.....

Thanks for the info on your Son.  There are lots of life lessons to be learned in a shop, most of them in a positive vein.  Looking up to a guy like TMac or Brownie isn't a bad thing either, class acts, great guys, escellent roll models.  Anytime we can get somebody willing to work their way from the bottom up and potentially be a player in the game we all love, it sure ain't bad.  I wish him, you and the 'team' well....

Come on for Pete's sake!  This is just a young kid that needs a little help to go racing and all he gets on this site is a lot of guff and advice insted of help.  If 21T will email me your information and the site to donate I will donate $25 now and more later.  And, you don't have to do anything for it.  You don't have to come make a personal appearance for me or anything.  The only thing I expect out of you is to do your best.  Maybe some more of you can join in and help without all the rhetoric.  If you would like to stop sometime while you are in Knoxville would love to meet you and during the Nationals you can stop in at the Chateu de Jac, sometimes known as the Beer Garden, a block North East of the H of Fame.  You never know who you might meet here.  Drivers, etc., and people from Ohio to Arizona and to Australia and back.  You should even be able to catch the infamous MSPN and his gal this Summer!  Enjoy your racing, young man.  

My wife told me if I went to one more Sprint Car race 
she would leave me.................I'm sure gonna miss 
that ol' gal. 

I sent you an email Sir!  Thank you for your support.  I will be sure to stop and see you at Nationals...

A really nice person told me I should put this link back up for people to help.  I don't want to make anyone mad but I am going to take his advice.  If anyone would like more information I do have a packet I could email to you.  Thanks.

http://www.gofundme.com/4dzf9g

Done.  We have more than doubled Tyson's fund.  I know a lot of fans of racing.  Can anyone else chip in to help him?  $5, 10, 20, 50?  Don't make me call you out by name and tell everyone how cheap you are!  ha ha  ha. 

My wife told me if I went to one more Sprint Car race 
she would leave me.................I'm sure gonna miss 
that ol' gal. 

Yep.  But I was just trying to offer some advice, not trying to make the kid think he can't do it.  I hope he can and does. 

Spot on.

Cheers!