Brandon Melton

iTrader: (7)

J- ygpm.

TL_XXX-S_racer

ya i wish i had a sponsorship. besides how did you get yours? I'm looking for one mainly a company that makes batteries.

Jon Kerr

iTrader: (17)

I hooked up with Fukuyama by getting to know Dan, the owner. But if you're looking for sponsorship, you need to get a racing resume together with your accomplishments and races you've been to and results. It's not easy to get a sponsorship and to be honest, not always easy to have them either.

TL_XXX-S_racer

Really!!
whats so hard about having a sponsorship?
Cause if i do get one i know what i i need to do.

Thx

Jon Kerr

iTrader: (17)

I don't really have a problem with this because Dan is very good to me and dosen't place major expectations on me. BUT, I know of many guys who have quit racing because racing can become work if you've got people pressuring you to do well. Like I said, I don't have a problem with that. Dan's great and I put more pressure on myself than anyone else would. It's something that you don't really think would be a big deal until you're dealing with it yourself. Don't let that detur you from trying. Just remember there's more to it than just getting free parts and T-shirts. You have to be the guy at the track that others aren't afraid to come and ask advice. You've got to be willing to help others and represent your sponsors.

mwcet8k

Keep in mind also that you've got to be really fast. Typically, at the bare minimum you need to be one of the faster guys at your local track. The manufacturers want you to make their products look good, but if you're getting smoked every week by the top guns at your track that won't happen. This is one drawback to being sponsored; there is pressure on you to win so that your sponsor looks good. Imagine if Brian Kinwald never won any races or even qualified for any A-mains. His sponsors would have a hard time justifying the amount they invest in him. But Kinwald does such a good job of promoting Losi/Trinity/Novak that those companies make up the cost due to increased sales. A team driver is basically just a living, breathing advertisement for their sponsors.

I would really recommend attending a regional or national level race so you can see the factory guys in person and get an idea of what is involved in being sponsored. It certainly has its benefits, but as is the case with all things, there are drawbacks too.

Jon Kerr

iTrader: (17)

Well put. Winning at a local and regional/national level if very important. I think though that how you're preceived off the track is just as important.

TL_XXX-S_racer

Hey guys thanks for all the info. i want let the pressure change my mind to stop trying to get sponsorship. i mean im in the top 3 every week at my track. I'm an approachable guy ,thats what i think. I help alot of people. I'm fast. i dont know. I guess i could have a good chance of getting a sponsoship.

Oh ya, one more thing. What if i dont have the money to go to the nationals or regionals?

thanks again

mwcet8k

Totally agree. I've known people that avoid buying certain manufacturer's products because of a bad experience they had with a team driver.

Case in point: A friend of mine won't buy anything from a major motor manufacturer because he saw one their team drivers freak out and loose his temper after performing poorly at a major race. This is the last thing a sponsor wants.

Jon Kerr

iTrader: (17)

Betcha I know who that is Won't go any further. I don't like bad mouthing people.

mwcet8k

Yeah, don't let us discourage you from going for it. We just want to make sure you know exactly what you'll be getting yourself into. Best of luck. We might be reading about you in all the mags one day!

Regarding your last question, you don't necessarily have to compete in a race to see what it's like to be a team driver. I see that you live in Florida. A lot of big races are regularly held there, including the TC World Champs October 23 - 30 of this year at Full Throttle Speedway in Kissimmee. Maybe you could get your mom or dad to take you to watch for a day. You'll probably never have a better opportunity to see the best of the best, and you'll be absolutely amazed how freakin' fast those guys are.

mwcet8k

Yeah, I'm with ya. He did enough damage on his own.

Jon Kerr

iTrader: (17)

TL_XXX-S_racer- The first time I went to the Reedy Race as a spectator two years ago was my first experiance seeing world class racers. I was floored. The control these guys have and the talent they have is amazing. I'm excited about the up coming KO Grand Prix. I didn't realize what the entry list looked like until after I sent mine in for modified. Basically the modified class is what all the factory guys (except dumb ass me) signed up and 19 turn is what everyone else signed up for. I'm going to get a lesson from these guys. Take a look at this enty list.

http://www.kopropo.com/KO_GP_entries.htm

It'll be fun to see where I really stack up.

TL_XXX-S_racer

ya im going down to watch that race. I'm going to ask as much questions as possible. I'm also thinking of racing or watching the Snowbirds in Feburary in Florida too.

Jon Kerr

iTrader: (17)

There you go. If you race carpet, you can get a better event to get BIG race experiace than the 'Birds