So who is sponsered?
02-03-2005, 09:34 AM
#46
Very well put JKA. Sometimes being a "Privateer" has its advantages. If you are sponsored and have to run thier stuff you could be way off the pace at certain tracks. I have a select number of team drivers and I know them all by name and can even tell you where they live etc. it makes it more personable. I chat with them all on AIM about the business or just to say hi and talk Football or something. To me they are friends. I have some I still talk to on there that have moved on to other companies and even though they dont race for me anymore I still consider them friends. Thats what this industry is about its about making friends. I consider everyone I know and talk too on here or in person as my friend not a dollar.
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
02-03-2005, 09:37 AM
#47
One way these companies would actually help the "50%" racers would be to offer them a certain amount for free up front, but then it's 50% beyond that.
Take a car for example. You get the car kit for free, and maybe another $50 worth of commonly replaced parts. After that, everything is at 50%.
And as for thinking that being sponsored saves you money, it's not the case. You'll just spend your money in different ways. You might start racing another class or two, and there's an added expense in that. Not everyone is going to get cars, parts, motors, batteries, tires, electronics, and bodies for free.
You also will probably start traveling to races more. Hotel, gas/airfare, car rentals, food, etc.
I still get kids that come up and tell me they want to be sponsored, or how to go about doing it. I just tell them that if they're racing just to get sponsored, that they need to find another hobby. They better be doing it for fun, first.
Take a car for example. You get the car kit for free, and maybe another $50 worth of commonly replaced parts. After that, everything is at 50%.
And as for thinking that being sponsored saves you money, it's not the case. You'll just spend your money in different ways. You might start racing another class or two, and there's an added expense in that. Not everyone is going to get cars, parts, motors, batteries, tires, electronics, and bodies for free.
You also will probably start traveling to races more. Hotel, gas/airfare, car rentals, food, etc.
I still get kids that come up and tell me they want to be sponsored, or how to go about doing it. I just tell them that if they're racing just to get sponsored, that they need to find another hobby. They better be doing it for fun, first.
02-03-2005, 09:47 AM
#48
Personally when I was first sponsored, the idea of having deals/discount really wasn't my #1 priority. My main reason to get a sponsor was to be in a team atmosphere, to get help setting up cars, and be in a group environment when you do out of town races. If anyone that has never been sponsored before and now are looking for sponsor because the discount/deals and free stuff as their main priority, then really are going in with a wrong state of mind.
Don't get me wrong, having a discount helps A LOT with racing, but I see too many young ones now are just looking for free stuff.
As far as being sponsor sometimes costs more, I can agree if you are sponsor by a certain company and must use their products, and I also have seen racers that are sponsor by a certain company and have to use their tires, but tires were a bit inferior to other brands, then you are stuck running them. That's why in my earlier post, I suggest people looking for sponsor with their local hobby shops, because then you are not stuck running a certain brand only.
Dom
Don't get me wrong, having a discount helps A LOT with racing, but I see too many young ones now are just looking for free stuff.
As far as being sponsor sometimes costs more, I can agree if you are sponsor by a certain company and must use their products, and I also have seen racers that are sponsor by a certain company and have to use their tires, but tires were a bit inferior to other brands, then you are stuck running them. That's why in my earlier post, I suggest people looking for sponsor with their local hobby shops, because then you are not stuck running a certain brand only.
Dom
02-03-2005, 11:57 AM
#49
I have a few sponsorships, all of which are partial rides, and I love having them for a few reasons. I like helping people out. Weather it's here online or at the track. As a sponsored racer, that's my primary function for the companies I represent. I help promote the product and act as a rep for them. I enjoy it. People come to me with questions and I do everything I can to help them. If I don't know how to help them, I'll either get them the info or point them to someone who can. Yes the discounts help and yes I spend more money now that I have the sponsorships than I did before. But that also comes from moving up the competition ladder as well. At Schumacher, we are very Team oriented. I get help from team mates and give it as much as I can. There's a lot of information sharing that goes on among us to do what we can to make the products better. If there's a product we have that I feel is inferior, I'd report what I'd found and give suggestions on how to fix the problem. That's team feedback. That's what team drivers are for. To help produce a better product for the customer. It's not about getting free stuff.
As far as newcomers racing to get sponsored, I agree, that's not a good way to look at it. Racing is for fun. If you'd have asked me a year and a half ago if I was ever going to get sponsored, I'd say there's no way I would. Dan from Fukuyama gave me my first sponsorship when we raced together at a few parking lot races. I had been buying his products at full price. I was very happy with the products and he and I became friends. He gave the partial deal as a loyal customer because I was telling others about his product, i.e. promoting for him.
Just my opinions,
Oh and I agree, this should be in the Off Topic forum, not electric on road.
As far as newcomers racing to get sponsored, I agree, that's not a good way to look at it. Racing is for fun. If you'd have asked me a year and a half ago if I was ever going to get sponsored, I'd say there's no way I would. Dan from Fukuyama gave me my first sponsorship when we raced together at a few parking lot races. I had been buying his products at full price. I was very happy with the products and he and I became friends. He gave the partial deal as a loyal customer because I was telling others about his product, i.e. promoting for him.
Just my opinions,
Oh and I agree, this should be in the Off Topic forum, not electric on road.
02-03-2005, 01:56 PM
#50
I have a few sponsors myself... But one thing i have noticed alot as of late. is alot of companies are offering 50% deals to most anyone..
what i think this does.. is assure a racer to be running there stuff... they in turn sell more... kind of like controling the market....
if you figure you buy somthing listed as 100 dollars.. u get it for 50 bucks...
Now.. lets say they sell the same thing to the distributor for 40 bucks... there actually making more money off there sponsored racers, then they do from the distributors...plus they have kind of a guarentee you will buy stuff...
you think your saving money, but youll actually buy twice as much and end up spending the same money...
Ive also notice you get 50% off retail pricing... Most companies sell to everyone at less then retail.. so your discount is actually even less...
i think this surge of over sponsoring is almost hurting the hobby shops... you have to many racers in one single area buying direct.. where does the shop stand??? But i think some as a company would rather lock up a individual racer to sell to as more of a guarentee, then the shops....
this is just my opinion on some sponsorships not all... Sponsors with smaller teams are out there looking for good racers.. the other ones sponsoring everyone they can, are out for the money...
what i think this does.. is assure a racer to be running there stuff... they in turn sell more... kind of like controling the market....
if you figure you buy somthing listed as 100 dollars.. u get it for 50 bucks...
Now.. lets say they sell the same thing to the distributor for 40 bucks... there actually making more money off there sponsored racers, then they do from the distributors...plus they have kind of a guarentee you will buy stuff...
you think your saving money, but youll actually buy twice as much and end up spending the same money...
Ive also notice you get 50% off retail pricing... Most companies sell to everyone at less then retail.. so your discount is actually even less...
i think this surge of over sponsoring is almost hurting the hobby shops... you have to many racers in one single area buying direct.. where does the shop stand??? But i think some as a company would rather lock up a individual racer to sell to as more of a guarentee, then the shops....
this is just my opinion on some sponsorships not all... Sponsors with smaller teams are out there looking for good racers.. the other ones sponsoring everyone they can, are out for the money...
02-03-2005, 03:16 PM
#52
Originally posted by Jon Kerr
I like helping people out. Weather it's here online or at the track. As a sponsored racer, that's my primary function for the companies I represent. People come to me with questions and I do everything I can to help them. If I don't know how to help them, I'll either get them the info or point them to someone who can.
I like helping people out. Weather it's here online or at the track. As a sponsored racer, that's my primary function for the companies I represent. People come to me with questions and I do everything I can to help them. If I don't know how to help them, I'll either get them the info or point them to someone who can.
The key point I feel is the team aspect. Partial sponsorships are valuable all around when it is truly a team effort for product development like you mentioned between yourself and Schumacher. Any "sponsored" driver not involved in the constructive process of product improvement is actually just a high speed billboard. Well... hopefully high speed!
This is in sharp contrast to full scale racing such as NASCAR. I'm quite sure Dale Earnhardt Jr is NOT giving Budweiser constructive feedback on their brewing processes! Likewise I doubt Darrell Waltrip or Ricky Rudd tested the stain removing properties of TIDE. lol With RC, however, the sponsors are actually manufacturuers within the RC industry and as such you are often limited to that particular product. I suppose this is the point that actually soured my interest in sponsorship... I feel more competitive when my limitations do not extend beyond track time and talent (or lack thereof).
02-03-2005, 03:32 PM
#53
Originally posted by JKA
Not to detract from your post, its a nice contrast to mine, but these things should and often are done by any seasoned racer regardless of sponsorship.
The key point I feel is the team aspect. Partial sponsorships are valuable all around when it is truly a team effort for product development like you mentioned between yourself and Schumacher. Any "sponsored" driver not involved in the constructive process of product improvement is actually just a high speed billboard. Well... hopefully high speed!
This is in sharp contrast to full scale racing such as NASCAR. I'm quite sure Dale Earnhardt Jr is NOT giving Budweiser constructive feedback on their brewing processes! Likewise I doubt Darrell Waltrip or Ricky Rudd tested the stain removing properties of TIDE. lol With RC, however, the sponsors are actually manufacturuers within the RC industry and as such you are often limited to that particular product. I suppose this is the point that actually soured my interest in sponsorship... I feel more competitive when my limitations do not extend beyond track time and talent (or lack thereof).
Not to detract from your post, its a nice contrast to mine, but these things should and often are done by any seasoned racer regardless of sponsorship.
The key point I feel is the team aspect. Partial sponsorships are valuable all around when it is truly a team effort for product development like you mentioned between yourself and Schumacher. Any "sponsored" driver not involved in the constructive process of product improvement is actually just a high speed billboard. Well... hopefully high speed!
This is in sharp contrast to full scale racing such as NASCAR. I'm quite sure Dale Earnhardt Jr is NOT giving Budweiser constructive feedback on their brewing processes! Likewise I doubt Darrell Waltrip or Ricky Rudd tested the stain removing properties of TIDE. lol With RC, however, the sponsors are actually manufacturuers within the RC industry and as such you are often limited to that particular product. I suppose this is the point that actually soured my interest in sponsorship... I feel more competitive when my limitations do not extend beyond track time and talent (or lack thereof).
Now, when you mentioned Junior doesn't give feedback to Bud.... I can't help but to think about who was that in Nascar is sponsored by Viagra?
Dom
02-03-2005, 05:10 PM
#54
Tech Rookie
I just had a little something to add in. First this post looked really ugly with the replies im glad I stuck it out there are some very insightful things written.
Secon against the theme of the post I guess a better question would have been who is sponsored how much. The little discounts and stuff to me are more for being a loyal customer and and for sharing your hopefully positive results with those around you, These kinds of things are more a sort of mutual respect between the Consumer and the producer. And I think its a great way to go about things. Example I used to be sponsored by 3dfx and Madcatz along with a couple others in the computer industry. I got free or reduced cost products. In return I talked non stop about how good my stuff was working. Both online, in matches and at local LANs. I know gaming isnt the same as Racing but the ideas are all the same competition and respect for the all parties involved. It was nice to get free stuff but honestly the best reward for me and my sponsors was the new guys showing up a couple weeks later with a product that I plugged and truly believed in. I LOVED seeing that probably more then I liked winning. because I got the chance to help not only my sponsor but the new guy buying new gear.. a side effect was me getting some free schwagg not the other way around.
Hope that made sense just my thoughts.
Secon against the theme of the post I guess a better question would have been who is sponsored how much. The little discounts and stuff to me are more for being a loyal customer and and for sharing your hopefully positive results with those around you, These kinds of things are more a sort of mutual respect between the Consumer and the producer. And I think its a great way to go about things. Example I used to be sponsored by 3dfx and Madcatz along with a couple others in the computer industry. I got free or reduced cost products. In return I talked non stop about how good my stuff was working. Both online, in matches and at local LANs. I know gaming isnt the same as Racing but the ideas are all the same competition and respect for the all parties involved. It was nice to get free stuff but honestly the best reward for me and my sponsors was the new guys showing up a couple weeks later with a product that I plugged and truly believed in. I LOVED seeing that probably more then I liked winning. because I got the chance to help not only my sponsor but the new guy buying new gear.. a side effect was me getting some free schwagg not the other way around.
Hope that made sense just my thoughts.
02-03-2005, 09:04 PM
#55
Hey Guys,
This will be moved to offtopic in a bit, but I would just like to say that Dave Gullickson was the first guy to sponsor me as an up and coming driver. I owe it to him to where I got today. Having that little bit of help and putting in the tracktime helped me get to my goals. I did switch teams after a bit but I thanked Dave for what he had provided me with. I have now become recognised so to say in the stock touring world and it is very cool, but I am still having fun as I did when I was non-sponsored. If you ever stop having fun, something is wrong. Just a little insight as to how long I have been racing to get to where I am
---I started racing 4 years ago, and I was at the track every week at least once, and most times at least twice. I put in a ton of tracktime, I cannot stress that enough. I started traveling to big races 2 years ago and started to gain a lot of knowledge to help me get better. I can name a few people who really helped me when I started at the big events: Russ Schacht, Jim and Nick Stampfel, Jeff Choban and many others. I would not be where I am today without their, or my dads help.
This will be moved to offtopic in a bit, but I would just like to say that Dave Gullickson was the first guy to sponsor me as an up and coming driver. I owe it to him to where I got today. Having that little bit of help and putting in the tracktime helped me get to my goals. I did switch teams after a bit but I thanked Dave for what he had provided me with. I have now become recognised so to say in the stock touring world and it is very cool, but I am still having fun as I did when I was non-sponsored. If you ever stop having fun, something is wrong. Just a little insight as to how long I have been racing to get to where I am
---I started racing 4 years ago, and I was at the track every week at least once, and most times at least twice. I put in a ton of tracktime, I cannot stress that enough. I started traveling to big races 2 years ago and started to gain a lot of knowledge to help me get better. I can name a few people who really helped me when I started at the big events: Russ Schacht, Jim and Nick Stampfel, Jeff Choban and many others. I would not be where I am today without their, or my dads help.
02-03-2005, 09:26 PM
#57
When i was 12 or so and the parents fund was in full force it was easy to hit up the parents for money, then i listed my sponsor as team dad. A few years later a bunch of huge races and some good wins and top 10s i sent out some resumes to companys and got 50% -75% deals with Team ERP,Twister,RPM,Team SLC,
Boca Bearing,Cobra,Bel-Ray. Although iits sweet to get the deals your still expected to buy stuff kinda regularily and if you dont its easy to slip through the cracks with the companys escpecially if you take any time off from racing.
Boca Bearing,Cobra,Bel-Ray. Although iits sweet to get the deals your still expected to buy stuff kinda regularily and if you dont its easy to slip through the cracks with the companys escpecially if you take any time off from racing.
02-03-2005, 09:27 PM
#58
Originally posted by GroffBall
Partial sponsorships arn't that great in my eyes. Shumacher offered me a 50% sponsorship back a few years ago, I had to turn it down, it would have cost me more money just to switch to their cars.
Sponsorship is great and all, but I'd rather make my own decisions on what products I use and if I don't feel like racing for 6 months thats fine by me.
A lot of the "partial" sponsorships are nothing but them offering you products at either cost or a few bucks above cost so they can make a little extra. I'd rather just make my own decisions on what products to use, support my local hobby shop, and have fun.
I do remember when I was 14 and racing sponsorship was the pinnacle, but I didn't have two dimes to rub together then. So I understand where you are coming from, but really save your money get some batteries, spend time working on your car and behind the transmitter and win on your own dime. To me nothing is better than beating up on all those "sponsered" drivers with all my old school and budget stuff.
Partial sponsorships arn't that great in my eyes. Shumacher offered me a 50% sponsorship back a few years ago, I had to turn it down, it would have cost me more money just to switch to their cars.
Sponsorship is great and all, but I'd rather make my own decisions on what products I use and if I don't feel like racing for 6 months thats fine by me.
A lot of the "partial" sponsorships are nothing but them offering you products at either cost or a few bucks above cost so they can make a little extra. I'd rather just make my own decisions on what products to use, support my local hobby shop, and have fun.
I do remember when I was 14 and racing sponsorship was the pinnacle, but I didn't have two dimes to rub together then. So I understand where you are coming from, but really save your money get some batteries, spend time working on your car and behind the transmitter and win on your own dime. To me nothing is better than beating up on all those "sponsered" drivers with all my old school and budget stuff.
Example- I was talking to a good friend of mine today and he was saying he didn't know if he would have enough "sponsored racer" battery packs to give me one or at least let me use one for the Birds. I told him (like I always do) dude, if I don't make the show, I don't... I WON'T run any good packs and waste a perfectly good cycle of an awesome pack on trying to win the C or D main!! If you don't make the show, then you simply kick onto fun mode and cheer for your buddies that DID make the show- help them or whatever you can do. That is what r/c racing is all about- racing with your buddies and having lots of fun.
02-03-2005, 10:13 PM
#59
I forgot to add, if you don't like something someone says or you just don't like someone period, you have to watch your mouth (or fingers) if you're sponsored cause everybody wants to tattle on you, but if buy your own crap then you can tell 'em how the cow chews the cud!!!
02-03-2005, 10:25 PM
#60
Like what RC Driver Gary siad, if you're goal from the beginning is to get sponsored, you're gonna be totally disappointed.
Racing is all about having fun...Here's my typical warm-weather race day.
6:00 AM: Wake up and shake off last nights party, shindig, etc. Get dressed and kiss my girlfriend goodbye, as I attempt to silently pack up my race stuff so as to not wake her.
6:45 AM: Hit the road. My car ALWAYS rides in the front passenger seat, I dunno why, but I love the little guy so much. Hit the gas-station, get a soda, top off my cooler with ice, get some drinks for cooler etc.
---Drive for 1.5 hours--- Enjoy the time alone, roll the windows down, turn up some good music and enjoy the sunrise.
8:30 / 9:00 AM: Arrive at track. Sign in and chat up my racing friends. Set up Pit stuff and lay out chargers, batts, etc.
---Chill out and have fun with my friends all day---Race the 3 qualifiers, pit for my nitro buddy and turn marshal whenever I get a chance. I try to be the best turn marshal because that will get you off YOUR lid if the guys know what you do for them.
Prep for Main...usually B-Main...sometimes the A.
Get pre-race jitters....hands shaking....BEEEEP!!!
Cars off and I have 5 mins to glory!
DOn't screw up!
SHIT!!! I flipped...PLEASE TURN ME OVER SOON!
Good....still on lead lap...
YES!!! Dave got taken out by lap traffic...now's my chance!!!
WIN!
The girlfriend was watching me the whole time, as she decided to stop by after shopping. She saw her fella's little toy car win the race...she now understands what it's all about...Now she wants an F-201.
THAT is what racing is all about my friends...good times!
Racing is all about having fun...Here's my typical warm-weather race day.
6:00 AM: Wake up and shake off last nights party, shindig, etc. Get dressed and kiss my girlfriend goodbye, as I attempt to silently pack up my race stuff so as to not wake her.
6:45 AM: Hit the road. My car ALWAYS rides in the front passenger seat, I dunno why, but I love the little guy so much. Hit the gas-station, get a soda, top off my cooler with ice, get some drinks for cooler etc.
---Drive for 1.5 hours--- Enjoy the time alone, roll the windows down, turn up some good music and enjoy the sunrise.
8:30 / 9:00 AM: Arrive at track. Sign in and chat up my racing friends. Set up Pit stuff and lay out chargers, batts, etc.
---Chill out and have fun with my friends all day---Race the 3 qualifiers, pit for my nitro buddy and turn marshal whenever I get a chance. I try to be the best turn marshal because that will get you off YOUR lid if the guys know what you do for them.
Prep for Main...usually B-Main...sometimes the A.
Get pre-race jitters....hands shaking....BEEEEP!!!
Cars off and I have 5 mins to glory!
DOn't screw up!
SHIT!!! I flipped...PLEASE TURN ME OVER SOON!
Good....still on lead lap...
YES!!! Dave got taken out by lap traffic...now's my chance!!!
WIN!
The girlfriend was watching me the whole time, as she decided to stop by after shopping. She saw her fella's little toy car win the race...she now understands what it's all about...Now she wants an F-201.
THAT is what racing is all about my friends...good times!